"The German ambassador's letter further explained that the delegates from non-union countries attending the conference would have full freedom of action; that they might confine themselves to following the discussions without taking any stand with regard to them, and that it would be left to the discretion of the non-union governments as to whether they would empower their delegates to join the Berne Union. "The Government of the United States again finds it impracticable to send a delegate authorized to commit the United States to actual adhesion at this time to the Berne Convention. Nevertheless, it has been felt that the representation of the United States, even within the limitations indicated, might be beneficial: first, to indicate the sympathy of our Government with the general purposes of the International Copyright Union; second, to secure such information regarding the proceedings of the conference as might prove valuable; and third, to place (by means of such representation) at the disposal of the conference authoritative knowledge as to the facts of copyright legislation and procedure within the United States--information which it is hoped may be of use to the members of the conference in their deliberations." {Sidenote: Welcome of non-unionist countries} In response to the participation of non-unionist countries, Prof. L. Renault of the French delegation, Chairman at the working sessions of the conference, spoke of the wisely liberal practice of including non-unionist countries in the invitation, recognized "the difficulty which these countries find in passing through the halting places," which the Union had itself gone through, and referred with especial gratification to the representation of Holland, Russia and the United States. {Sidenote: Death of Sir Henry Bergne} The closing days of the conference were darkened by the fatal illness of Sir Henry Bergne, head of the British delegation, who expired on November 15, the day after the adjournment of the conference, at the successful culmination of work toward which he had given many years of active and effective life. {Sidenote: Berlin convention, 1908:} {Sidenote: "Literary and artistic works" defined}