Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-10-21

general of the Supreme Council of Eng
land. He conducted us to the chambers
of that council. where We met the repre-
sentatives of the supreme councils of
England. Ireland and Scotland. These
three councils had at an early date de
termined that they would not send dele
gates to or he represented in the confer
ence at Brussels and would not partici
pate in any way in its deliberations. But
they decided to meet our delegates and
those from the supreme councils of the
northern jurisdiction and of the Dominion
of Canada, We WERE passing through
London en- route 10 Brussels. tor n confer
ence and gen IRA! consultation. The dele
gates from The Supreme Council of Can
ada, Grand Commander Gibson and Pas
Grand Command = Ellis. had arrived at
the hall shortly before We reached there.
so that on our arrival there We're presen:
the representatives from all Of the six
English-speaking councils of the world.
Earl of Dartrey Presides.
This assemhlage was called to order
by the earl of Dartray, sovereign grand
con- VEcsder of tie Supreme Council of
Ems land. His address was responded to
by the representa- tives present from each
of the other five councils. This reception
vas followed by a conference of these
six councils. which was enjoyed by every
one, and the expressions of respect and
representatives present were most cordial
and genuine. The Earl of Euston PIE
sided at the session of the great priory
and at the banquet.
The members of our delegation re-
manned in London eight or ten days, and
during this time were the recipients of
invitations to several other Masonic func-
tons, besides frequent civlities and
special courtesies shown them individ-
ually by resident Masons June some
nf 6n1 fip,ry <sf
the Grand Lodge of Mark Masons of
England and Wales. which is presided
over by the brother of King Edward his
royal highness the Duke of Connaught
and Strathern. as grand master. and to
the dinner following the session, at which
large number of guests were enter
tanned.
I'VE left London June I, and reached
Brussels the same evening.
'On the assembling of the conference
on the 18th an organization was made
by choosing the grand commander of Bel
GUM as chairman. At the outset of the
conference it's members were divided
into three sections or committees. 1t
was ordered that the first section should
consider all questions relating to legiti7
mate and regular supreme councils. their
definition and organization; the second
section should consider questions rela ting
to protection against spurious and clan
destihe organizations, while the third
matters relating to the unity and unifor-
nifty of the rite.
THE conference ordered that all propo-
sitiOns coming before it which received
the approval of three fourths of the coun-
ellis represented therein should be recon-
mended for approval to the various SUI
preme councils. it being underst ood how
ever, that such recommendation should
be considered only as advisory. In lay
ing before you the copy of the transac-
VI irh I n cyi,-
pleasure to recommend that all the pro-
ceedings and resolutions of the confer
ence be approved by you.
Given Special Attention.
II desire to call your attention es-
pecial!y to the resolution in which it was
declared that 1t was important that the
fundamental laws of the Ancient and
Accepted Scottish Rite. as embodied In
the grand constitutions of 1856, etc, be
made easily accessible to the members of
the rite. provided that an edition of these
should be published under
the auspices of the conference, which
should contain in compact form the com
plete Latin, French aud English YER
sions.
Il desire to call your attention to one
other resolution. which gave expression
to the opinion that signs. words, symbols
should be made as uniform as practicable
throughout the world.
''On the call of the roll at the first mes.-
ing 1t was found that there were duly &c
credited delegates present from twenty
regular supreme councils. These councils
were located in nineteen separate nations
Such an assembly is without a parallel
in the history of any rite of Freemasonry
The councils represented in the confer
ence were the Southern Supreme Council
(mother council of the world, the Su-
preme Council Of the northern Masonic
jurisdiction, France, Canada, Switzerland
Italy. Colon (Cuba), Guatemala. Mexico
Brazil. Argentine Republic, Paraguay
Uruguay, Venezuela, Dominican Republic
Greece. Portugal, Belgium. Spain and
Egypt.
Another Council in Five Years.
by formal vote it was determined that
1t would be desirable to hold another con-
ference of supreme councils at the end of
five years from the date of this one, which
should asse mble on our side of the At
lantic ocean The arrangements for this
conference. the time and place for its
meeting. etc. were left for adjustment
by the supreme councils of America and
Canada.
II have no doubt but that these coun-
ellis will, at the proper time, take up this
question and that another conference will
be held. Based on my late experience
it is. my opinion that another conference
is desirable. ana tnat mucn OF good Tor
the rite and humanity can be accom-
pished by 1t when assembled. Where
should the conference assemble? 1 will
be pardoned then for saying that it should
assemble In Washington city. The two
largest councils in the world are those
of the northern and southern jurisdictions
of the United States. Washington city is
the capital of the nation. The oldest
council in the world has its home and
holds all it's sessions in Washington
The Supreme Council lost two members
from the active list during the year, one
by death and the other by resignation
George Fairbairn of Iowa, who was
elected to the active list of the Supreme
Council two years ago to succeed former
Gov. Buren, r. Sherman. died within
few months after his selection. He had
been an honorary inspector general since
1900 The other vacancy Is due to the
resignation and removal to the northern
Jurisdiction of Gen. Robert Fl. Hall. who
had charge for many years of Scottish
Rite interests in the regular army and
navy. The sovereign grand commander
recommended that he be made an emer-
titus member of the Supreme Council.
There are now living four members of
this class.
Honorary Inspectors General.
Twenty-seven honorary inspectors gen
eral have died during the year. including
George H. Walker. Frank H. Thomas and
Gen. George w. Balloch of WASHINGTON.
The sovereign grand commander has
travelled extensively in this country as