Bessel
FRIEDRICH WILHELM, astronomer, born in Minden, Prussia, July 22, 1784. After some experience as an assistant in Schröter's observatory, he was appointed director of the new observatory at Königsberg. He first developed the theory of correcting for instrumental sources of error in all kinds of observations, and almost all the im provements in astronomical accuracy since his time have been only the further carrying out of his ideas. His investigations into the length of the seconds pendulum and that of standards of length were of the highest importance. The later years of his life were largely taken up with this subject of the general connection of all the European triangulations into one consistent system. He died in Königsberg, March 17, 1846. and the treaty of Bucharest annulled It contains iron foundries, coke ovens, a the question was thrown open and brought before the peace conference for consideration. It was argued by the Bessarabian advocates of nationality that the annexation was unjustified and imperialistic and contrary to the principle of the self-determination of peoples. It was claimed on behalf of the Rumanians that the bulk of the Bessarabian people favored union with Rumania, and this seemed to be borne out by the elections at the close of 1919 in which the successful candidates were chosen on the platform of union. The province was finally allotted to Rumania by the Peace Conference. Pop. about 2,700,000.