Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-12-30

The international maritime conference re-
sumed its session at Wormley's this morning at
II o'clock after q recess of several days spent
in committee work. 1t was the general expec-
tation that the conference would conclude its
labors with todsy's session and that any part of
the extended time until February would not
be needed, but 1t became apparent shortly after
| the opening of the session that there was some
| thing in the wind that would cause a continue
| ton Of the work. Rear Admiral Bowden
Smith, delegate from Great Britain,
called the conference to order in
the absence of Admiral Franklin, who, he
said, would be detained for some time by at
tendance upon a funeral He then announced
that the delegate from Turkey would take his
seat this morning.
THE PRINTING OF THE PROTOCOLS.
Assoon as he could ''catch the speakers eye"
Delegate Richard from France made a short
speech in the Gallo tongue making some in
qulries in regard to the printing Of the proto-
coils in the various languages. He wanted his
remarks printed in French as well as in English,
and Mr.. Goodrich offered a resolution to the
effect that where remarks by members to the
conference were addressed in French, they be
printed in French. This was adopted.
At this point Admiral Franklin arrived and
took his seat at the head of the council board.
DIGEST OF THE WORK OF THE CONFERENCE.
Capt. Richard made another speech in his
own style, offering resolution providing for
the printing of a resume of the resolutions that
have been adopted by the conference in regard
to the subjects on the program and distributed
by the United States to the powers represented
MIR. Hall of England supported this PROPOSE
ton, which was, in effect, to provide for the
preparation of digest of the acts of the con-
ference. He said that the only evidence SO far
of the labors of the delegates is in the protocols
and that 1t would be too much of a task to wade
through this mass of matter. He paid high
tribute to the secretary of the conference,
whose work he said, had been surprisingly accu-
rate. The resolution was adopted.
WARNINGS OF APPROACHING STORMS.
The report of the committee on general di-
visions 9, 10, IL and IL of the program was
then read. General division 9 relates to the
matter of warnings of approaching storms
The committee said that it is very questionable
whether any useful purpose would be gained
by the adoption of uniformity of methods in
the transmission of warnings except so far as
the general progress of scientific
knowledge indicates the direction of
possible Improvement The committee recon-
mended that the conference invite the various
maritime nations to consider the best practical
mode of signaling by day and night and to
take under consideration the establishment Of
a uniform system of indication OF warnings. in
Guiding, as far as possible. signals indicating
whether the storm il approaching or has passed
the station. The report of the committee ON
division was adopted.
BUoYs AND BKACoNs.
The report on division twelve, on q uniform
system of buoys and beacons, was next read.
The committee said that for the purpose of
uniformity, which is of the greatest importance,
&c he haSt
was made that uniformity of color should be
adopted as general rule, and that the use
OF shape should remain optional
1t was recommended that the conference
suggest to the countries interested
the desirability of the adoption of one
uniform system at least as regards color, and
the following scheme is suggested: All shoals,
marked on the compass system, to be marked
on the north side by single black or white
color, south side by red, east side by half red
black; on rocks in fair-way, with channels on
either side, to be marked black or red, with
horizontal bands.
GIVE AND TAKE.
Capt Mensing in speaking for the commit
tee said that the task Of preparing the report
had been very difficult one, for the amount of
money represented in the various systems of
buoyage and beaconage of different countries is
very large. They had concluded that the best
thing to do was fair plan Of 'give and take"
He disagreed with the report that color was
better than form in buoyage He preferred
form to color or a combination Of both. But
the opinions OF the majority of the committee
had prevailed.
WITH THE ACCENT ON THE ''Por."
slight discussion arose on q minor ques-
ton and Sir Geo. Mares, delegate from Eng
land, essayed to give an illustration on the sys-
tenn suggested as applied to what he was
pleased to call the "Pottomac" river, giving an
emphasis on the first syllable that caused a
ference.
Capt Norcross, America, made an effort to
secure an amendment which would prevent the
use OF the spar buoy on both sides of a
channel where other forms can be used and he
wanted to submit his proposition in writing
and have it lay over forty-eight hours before
consideration. This was not pleasant pros
pect to the members who hope for q speedy
conclusion OF their labors, and an emphatic
vote was taken to consider the amendment at
once. 1t was rejected by large majority.
CAPTAIN sHAcXroRD, U.s., OBJECTED
to part Of the report that, he said, would
necessitate serious change by the United
States in some parts. He was opposed in
opinion by the English and German delegates.
Capt. Shackford asserted that the coast sys-
TENS of the Atlantic ports were Of one kind,
and Sir Geo. Mares said that they were the
opposite. 1t looked very much as though the
foreigners knew more than the ma
tives about the conditions in this coun-
try, but Mr.. Hall OF England poured
vial of diplomatic oil on what promised to be
troubled waters by an appeal for harmony.
He said 1t would be possible to attain uni
formity only by a ''give-and-take' method;
England would have to make great sacrifices
and the United States ought to do something in
the same line.
Capt Mensing Of Germany drew an official
document on Capt Shackford to show him that
he was wrong, and the latter was forced to
acknowledge his error.
Mr. Carter, delegate from Hawaii, moved the
adoption OF the report, and this was done.
THE REPORT NOT PRINTED.
Mr.. Goodrich moved that the remainder of
the report of committee No. 8, upon general
divisions 10 and IL, be made the special order
Of the conference tomorrow morning. Capt.
Mensing explained that the report should have
been ready but for the failure of the printer,
and he expressed great surprise that that in
dividual should have been direlict.
AN INVITATION FROM THE PRESIDENT.
Secretary Cottman read letter from the
Department of State, signed by Mr. Walker
Blaine, informing him that the President would
be pleased to receive the members of the con-
ference at IL O'Clock on New Year day in uni
form.
Mr.. Hall suggested that ID would be better to
postpone any resolution as to whether or not
the delegates go in body until it was certain
lust how many members would be present in
the city.