Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-10-09
TIE PRIME MERIDIAN.
Deliberations OF the International Coafer-
ence In Washington.

a Washington telegram Of Tuesday SAYS
From interviews had to-day with delegates
TO the International Prime Meridian Con.
ference and American scientists who have
taken an active interest in the subject Il is
believed that the Conference will fail to
arrive at any agreement with regard TO
common prime meridian. The opposition
of the French delegates 10 the adoption OF
an English meridian is still firm, although
that opposition seems TO be the result OF
patriotic and sentimental rather than prac.
teal considerations.
Further information obtained TO-DAY
with regard TO the long debate in ycster-
days session shows that, although the
French delegates were willing TO wave
their preference for prime meridian rum
ming through their own country. they were
not willing TO recommend q meridian
which would cross the territories OF any
other great Power. They insisted upon
common prime meridian which should be
absolutely neutral. that Is, which should
lie wholly cutside the limits OF Europe and
America.
AMERICAN ARGUMENTS FOR GREENWICH.
Commander sampson, Of the United
States Naval Observatory, in reply to the
French delegates, pointed out that prime
meridian. in order TO be accurately deter
mined and fixed. should run through some
established national observatory. and should
be in Geographic communication with the
ret Of the world. II would be inconYe-
nIent and difficult to locate n prime mcri-
dim through Bchring Strait or across
the Azores. rs suggested by the
French delegates, because there were
no facilities in either place for the
necessary Astronomical work. Further.
moe. economy, as well rs convenience.
required the adoption Of The meridian
now most generally uSed-yiz. that Of
Greenwich. More than 20 per cent. OF the
worlds shipmasters used this mcridlln in
the calculation OF their longitude, and the
cost Of the necessity changes in existing
charts, Il any other prime meridian were
adopted, would exceed Sl0.000.0O0.
BRITISH VIEW oN TIE stBEJCT.
Professor Adams. one Of the delegates
from Great Britain, said that tie question
under discussion wa, practical not a
sentimental one; and the eminent delegate
from France professor Jams sem seemed 10
have lost sight OF that fact. The question
was simply what meridian would be most
convenient FOR the greatest number. Ii a
neutral " meridian were selected, il
would no; only involve a vast number OF
expensive changes in existing charts, hut
il would neccssiate the establishment Of
on observatory at some remote and com
paraiively inaccessible point for the deter
mnation Of such meridian, because IT
would be impractlcable. If not impossible,
10 determine the longitude oil 4 place By
geodeiic calculations alone.
PTcfc>sar Jansen. in reply TO his critics,
maintained that the question was one OF
geography and navigation. and that the e.
Enlistment of an observatory on the prime
meridian WAS not necessary.
SOME OBJECTION TO \ NEUTRAL MERIDIAN.
Professor Newcomb, superintendent OF
tie United States Nautical Almanac office.
who was present by invitation, was then
introduced TO the Conference by President
Rodgers as "thc most eminent OF Amcri-
can Astronomers" and briefly gave his
views upon The subject. He SAID lie did
net regard an observatory on the prime
meridian rs absolutely essential. and To
this extent he cOncurrcd with Professor
jansen. II. however, the meridian OF
BehTing strait, or the Azores. should be
chosen, it would be necessary to mount
transit instrument there. II point be Sc
lectCd where there Is no observatory the
distance from that point to some obserya-
tory must he calculated. lie called tie at
tention Of the French delegates to the fact
that even The Azores are not. strictly speak
Ing, neutral ground, since they belong to
Portugal; and it would be hard 10 lind or
locate a meridian which would not cross
territory belonging to some one OF the great
Powers.
When, after some further debate. the
Conference adjourned. there was no evil
dence Of any disposition on the part OF the
French delegates to recede from their posi-
ton or make any further concessions. anu
one Of them said emphaiicaIIy to United
States naval officer to-day that Franco
would never con scnt 20 cngfave on her
charts Longitude west Tor cast from
Greenwich