SUPPLEMENTARY PAPERS. 67 



an International Conference will be assembled to examine the problem 

 which we have studied. 



It may now be permitted us to express the wish that the Italian 

 Government will encourage and support the above alluded-to reunion. 

 All civilized nations are under plain obligations to science, but Italy, 

 from her scientific traditions, more particularly so. The country of 

 Columbus and Galileo ought never to forget herself, and it will be no 

 trivial honour to Italy, as indeed to all civilized nations, to sanction 

 a reform of so much interest to science and navigation. 



Whether one initial Meridian or another be adopted, is of second- 

 ary importance. What is essential is that all should agz'ee in their 

 decision, and all who are interested in the pi'ogreas of science and 

 civilization should strive for this result. We predict that in a short 

 time it will be accomplished. 



EEPORT ON THE WASHINGTON INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 

 BY MR. SANDFORD FLEMING, DELEGATE OF GREAT BRITAIN 

 REPRESENTING THE DOMINION OF CANADA. 



Ottawa, 31st, December, 1884. 

 The Hon. J. A. Chapleau, Secretuff-y of State, Canada : 



Sir, — I have the honour to report for the information of His Ex- 

 cellency the Governor-General in Council, the proceedings of the 

 International Conference held at Washington, for the purpose of 

 determining a Prime Meridian and establishing a Universal Day. 



I should have done so earlier, but I have only within the past few 

 days received copies of the Protocols of the proceedings, in French 

 and English, to place in your hands. 



The Conference was held in October last. Delegates assembled 

 representing twenty-five nationalities, viz. : — Austria, Hungary, 

 Brazil, Chili, Columbia, Costa Rica, France, Germany, Great Brit- 

 ain, Guatemala, Hawaii, Italy, Japan, Liberia, Mexico, the Nether- 

 lands, Paraguay, Russia, San Domingo, Turkey, Venezuela, the 

 United States, 8t. Salvador. 



It was attended by myself as a delegate of Great Britain appointed 

 to represent the Dominion of Canada. 



The following gentlemen were also present on the part of Great 

 Britain : — 



1. Captain Sir F. J. O. Evans, Royal Navy, 



2. Professor J. C. Adams, Director of Cambridge University. 



3. Lieutenant-General Strachey, member of the Council of India. 

 The Delegates assembled upon the invitation of the President of 



the United States. They met in Conference in the Diplomatic Hall 



