18 UNIVERSAL OR COSMIC TIME. 



first submitted to the world by this Institute. The delegates were 

 the representatives of twenty-five (2-5) civilized nations. The Con- 

 ference continued during the whole month of October, and, as a body, 

 they came to conclusions affecting all peoples living under our 

 theories of civilization. 



It was early undei'stood that a determination with respect to Uni- 

 versal Time was not possible without the general recognition of a 

 Prime Meridian, i Hence the impoi'tance attached to its clioice, 

 that it should be universally accepted. 



For many years attempts have been made to effect the establish- 

 ment of an initial mei-idian recognized in common by all nations, 

 but every attempt hitherto had proved completely unsuccessful. It 

 is therefore the greater cause for congratulation, that the efforts of 

 the Washington Conference have succeeded in its determination. 



The discussions of the Conference were long, and being carried on 

 in different languages, could not have been of equal intei-est to all 

 present. Translations became necessary, so that all the Delegates 

 might equally understand the propositions which were daily submit- 

 ted. This necessary course prolonged the sessions and multiplied 

 the adjournments. At last, however, the choice of a Prime Meridian 

 was obtained. The following resolution was passed, the Delegates 

 voting by nations : 



" Resolved, That the Conference proposes to tbe Governments here 

 represented, the adoption of the meridian passing through the centre 

 of the transit instrument at the Observatory of Greenwich as the 

 initial meridian for longitude. 



The above resolution was adopted by the following vote : 



In the affirmative ; 



AUSTRIA, MEXICO, 



CHILI, NETHERLANDS, 



COLOMBIA, PARAGUAY, 



COSTA RICA, RUSSIA, 



GERMANY, SALVADOR, 



GREAT BRITAIN, SPAIN, 



GUATEMALA, SWEDEN, 



HAWAIIj SWITZERLAND, 



