all the Governments here represented that its use be made. obligatory, both in their commercial relations and in all that relates to the sciences and the industrial arts.

In the first place, since we are to submit to our Governments only the recommending clause of each report, it would be better in the one now before us say "the metrico-decimal system" instead of “the system indicated." This is one of the alterations I would propose.

to

It also seems to me that the part of the recommendation referring to the sciences, arts, and industries is both vague and insufficient, and it would be better to substitute another phrase, for instance: "Propose the adoption of the metrico-decimal system." If the intention of the committee is that the metrico-decimal system be adopted only in the relations between one nation and another, the phrase would be unnecessary, while if the intention is that it be adopted for all purposes, as well in domestic as in foreign relations, then it seems to me to be insufficient; for there are a multitude of cases in which the metric system could be used and which are not comprehended either among the sciences, arts, or industries.

Consequently the two amendments I would propose are, first, that the recommendation read "metrico-decimal system" instead of "system indicated;" second, that it be made to say that the International American Conference recommend (instead of "propose") to the Governments here represented the adoption of the metrico-decimal system.

The honorable Delegate from Brazil makes a suggestion which seems to me well founded. He says that as various nations have already adopted this sys

tem it ought to be said in the report that the recommendation is addressed only to those nations who have not adopted it. I will put my amendments in writing so that the Chair may present them in a formal manner.

Mr. ZEGARRA (Presiding). The Chair considers that to be the advisable course.

Mr. CASTELLANOS. It is of course to be understood that the last paragraph of the report refers to what goes before; and that is why it is written in those terms. But if the explanatory parts of the reports are not to precede the recommendations, I am in favor of amending the language.

As for the other suggestion made by the Hon. Mr. Romero, to the effect that there are cases, not comprehended among either sciences, arts, or industries, in which the metrico-decimal system might be employed, I must say that I do not know of any that can not be included in that classification; but if the Conference thinks that the alteration should be made, I have no objection.

Mr. ROMERO. I fear I did not express myself with sufficient clearness the first time I took the floor, and to avoid misunderstanding I beg the honorable chairman of the committee presenting the report to tell me if their intention, in preparing the recommending clause of their report, was to restrict the use of the metric system solely to sciences, arts, and industries as relating to commercial relations between the States here represented, so as not to include the domestic commercial transactions of the respective countries, or whether the latter are to be included?

Mr. CASTELLANOs. Complying with the wishes of

my honorable colleague, the Delegate from Mexico, I will say that if from the wording of the report it is inferred that it is not so restricted, such is not and has not been the meaning of the committee. Their intention was to establish this system in commerce between the republics, for we have nothing to do with the domestic policy of the several countries. In its internal affairs each one may do as it pleases. The act convening this Conference speaks of the commercial relations between the countries here represented, and consequently the report had to be limited to this point. But each Government may prescribe the use of the metrico-decimal system in its domestic commercial affairs if it sees fit.

Mr. HURTADO (Colombia). I believe we all substantially agree on the matter under consideration. The report proposes the adoption of the metrical system of weights and measures by all the governments of this continent. I beg the Chair to order that the conclusions of the report be read.

(The conclusion was read in English, as appears in the foregoing report.)

Mr. HURTADO. As I said before, the conclusion recommends to all the governments represented in this Conference to adopt the metrical system; but, as I believe this system to be already in use in all the nations of America, with the exception of the United States, the recommendation would address itself to this Government only. If such be the case, it might become desirable to alter the terms in which the recommendation is framed; but before proposing any amendment in this respect, I beg that some member of the committee better informed on the subject may

correct me if I be mistaken in the belief I have expressed.

Mr. CASTELLANOS. I do not, Mr. President, and will not make it a question of personal pride to sustain the wording of the report, and I will be the first to accept any other form that may be given it without entering into a discussion of grammatical questions.

With regard to the remark made by the honorable Delegate from Colombia to the effect that the United States was the only country which had not accepted the metrico-decimal system, I must state that besides the United States I understand it has not been accepted by Nicaragua, Paraguay, Guatemala, Hayti, Honduras, and I can not recollect just now what other Republic. But I repeat, I have not the slightest objection to accepting any other language that may more properly express the conclusions of the report.

Mr. STUDEBAKER. The committee had no other idea than that of recommending this system for general adoption by all the countries. With respect to countries that have already adopted the metrico-decimal system, this report would not make any difference whatever, as they already have it in use. In the United States it would take time to adopt the system generally. The idea is to adopt it as soon as practicable. There will be places in the interior where it may not be adopted for some time. It is our intention that it shall be universally adopted.

If, instead of putting the word "propose" in the report, the word "recommend" should be used, it would cover the matter better. I am perfectly willing to accept the change that has been suggested by Mr. Romero.

Mr. SAENZ PEÑA. I call for the reading of Mr. Romero's proposed amendment.

The amendment proposed by Mr. Romero was read, as follows:

The International American Conference recommends the adoption of the metrico-decimal system to the nations here represented which have not already adopted it.

Mr. SAENZ PEÑA (Argentine Republic). I move, Mr. President, that the Conference vote upon the report as presented. The wording of it seems to me correct, except that the committee supposed that the Conference was to vote on both the report and the resolution embodied in the recommendation; but I think that these mere questions of form should not interfere with the substance of the reports. As soon as the principal points of these proposals have been approved the Conference should appoint a committee of revision to attend to matters of form. That would save us time and labor, and assure the most correct and suitable form to all the resolutions of the Conference.

I think that the committee has kept within the scope of the powers granted to this Conference.

It is unquestionable that a nation ought not to have two systems of weights and measures, one for domestic and the other for international purposes; but I also think that anything relating to the domestic affairs of a country is a subject for its own legislation, and that it is beyond the province of this Conference to dictate in such matters. The Conference must limit its efforts to determining the form in which international commercial relations are to be main