Morning journal and courier., 1889-10-18
THE MARINE CONFERENCE.

TAE MARINE CONFEHENCEe
Secretaries Elected-Hours of Meeting
Tho Chair Authorized to Appoint a
Committee ON Lights and Sound Sig
mails.
WASHINGTON, Oct. II. In accordance
with the adjournment yesterday the dele-
gates to the International Marine conference
met at II o'clock this morning in the Wal
lace house, and were called to order by ADJ
miral Franklin. It was suggested by the
president that the organization of the con-
ference be completed. Lieutenant Cottman,
U. S. NJ, of the United States delegation,
was elected principal secretary. Hen. Cecil
A. Spring Rice, of the English delegation,
Charles Vibiere, of France, and Walter
Blaess, of Germany, were appointed addi-
tional secretaries. Parker's Manual was
adopted az the parliamentary guide of the
conference. The hours of meeting were
fixed as follows:
From II q. m. to p. m. on Mondays,
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thurdays, with
recess of an hour at O'Clock for lunch,
from 10 q. IA. to p. m. on Fridays. No
session will be hold on Saturdays.
Mr.. Hall said that in consideration Of the
limited time the British delegates thought it
best to eonins the discussions of the confer
ence to divisions one and three of the pro-
gramme. General division one refers to
"marine signals or other means of plainly
indicating the direction in which vessels are
moving in fog, mist, falling snow, and thick
weather at night, and rules for the prevention
of collisions, and rules of the road" Divi-
sion three refers to 'sthe draft to which ves-
sells should be restricted when loaded" Mr..
Hall further stated that Her Majesty's gov
eminent would not consider as binding any
of the regulations or conclusions adopted by
the conference.
Mr.. w. w. Goodrich, delegate from the
United States, proposed a resolution that
each nation represented in the conference be
entitled to one vote on every question. This
was adopted, a. was also another resolution
introduced by Mr.. Goodrich that the articles
of revision OF the international regulations to
prevent collisions at sea he considered article
by article until finished. A resolution pro-
posed by Mr.. Goodrich was adopted that the
| in English or French and that the protocol
be printed In both languages. The confer
| enoe then began confederation Of the "rules
to be followed in the navigation of all public
and private vessels of the United States upon
the high seas and in all coast waters of the
United States, except within the harbors,
lakes and inland waters of the United States
as basis for the proposed international
rules.
Action upon articles and was post
poned. The FIRST rule defines sailing and
steamships. The second directs that the
several lights described in subsequent arti-
cles shall be carried from sunset until suns
| rise.
After recess discussion of article 3 was re-
sumed. Several amendments were proposed
| and discussed and then, on motion OF
Mr.. Goodrich, one of the home delegates, q
resolution was adopted authorizing the chair
to appoint committee on "lights" and
"sound signsls" to report to the conference
all information obtainable on these subjects
The conference then adjourned until to-
| morrow.