H. Wallace Reid, 33°
Grand Minister Of State S.G.I.G. in South Carolina
407 Berkshire Hill, Anderson, SC 29621–3909

The Committee on Fraternal Relations is pleased to report that fraternal relationships are enjoyed by our Supreme Council with 51 other Supreme Councils. This number is three fewer than in previous years since at the 1997 Biennial Session recognition was withdrawn from the Supreme Councils of Costa Rica and El Salvador, whose officers had been expelled by their Grand Masters and were no longer members of a Regular Symbolic Lodge. In addition, the Supreme Council and Grand Lodge of Yugoslavia elected to go dark until the political turmoil was settled in that country. Hopefully, their problems will soon be resolved, and Freemasonry will once again flourish in that country.

The Southern Jurisdiction has participated in numerous Masonic activities since our last Biennial Session in 1997. Grand Commander Kleinknecht in his 1999 Allocution lists many of the events which have been held throughout the world and within our own Jurisdictional boundaries with sister and other Appendant Bodies. The committee commends our Grand Commander for his untiring efforts in maintaining Masonic unity and his close involvement with these groups who labor in the same quarries.

Representatives Of The Sovereign Grand Commander
Ill. Robert W. Woodward, 33°, Deputy of the Supreme Council for the American Military Scottish Rite Bodies—NATO Bases, has represented the Grand Commander and our Supreme Council on numerous occasions. Others have represented this Jurisdiction at special Masonic-related events extending greetings from our Grand Commander and the Supreme Council: Ill. H. Lloyd Wilkerson, 33°, at the 25th Anniversary of the Supreme Council for Finland, in 1998; Ill. Ronald Seale, 33°, at the DeMolay Supreme Council Session in 1998, and Ill. Curtis Lancaster, 33°, in 1999; Ill. David Kruger, 33°, at the 124th and 125th Annual Sessions of the Supreme Council of Canada.

Conferences Of Grand Masters
Grand Commander Kleinknecht, along with many of the Actives and Deputies, was in attendance at the 1998 and 1999 Conferences of Grand Masters of North America. The Grand Commander spoke at each Session on the importance of maintaining good relations with the Grand Lodges and how they represent the very foundation upon which the structure of Freemasonry rests.

Shrine Of North America
Grand Commander Kleinknecht, in company with Members of the Supreme Council, attended the Imperial Sessions of the Shrine of North America in Orlando, Florida, in 1998, and Dallas, Texas, in 1999. It is regretful to note that our Canadian Brethren in six provinces requested and received permission to eliminate the requirement of membership in either the Scottish Rite or York Rite Bodies as a prerequisite for membership in the Shrine. This same approval has been given to the Brethren in Mexico. These actions appear to many as driving a wedge in the unity of the Masonic family and are contrary to the intent of the founding Masonic leaders of the Shrine. Hopefully, a solution to Shrine problems prompting this dilemma will be found, and the total Masonic family will once again be re-established among our Brethren to the North and the South.

1998 Leadership Conferences
The Leadership Conferences in 1998 were conducted in Greenville, S.C.; Little Rock, Arkansas; and Albuquerque, New Mexico. These conferences were attended by representatives from all six Sectors in the Southern Jurisdiction and proved quite beneficial in promoting programs sponsored by the Supreme Council. At each meeting, the Grand Commander presided over a luncheon for specially selected "Scottish Rite Fellows." This involved new and younger members of the Rite and provided them with the opportunity to ask questions of the Grand Commander and, in turn, to communicate their concerns to him.

42nd Conference Of European Sovereign Grand Commanders
The 42nd Conference of European Sovereign Grand Commanders was held in Paris, France, May 6–10, 1998. Representing the Southern Jurisdiction were Grand Commander Kleinknecht, Inspectors Lemons, Reid, Kruger, Million, and Lancaster; Deputy Woodward, and Grand Executive Director William G. Sizemore, 33°, G.C.

The Conference was opened by Ill. Brother Leopold Tröthann, 33°, Lieutenant Grand Commander of the Supreme Council of Austria, representing Sovereign Grand Commander Peter Österreicher, 33°, President of the 41st Conference. Ill. Tröthann welcomed the delegates and stated the theme for the Conference: "The Scottish Tradition and Its Actualization." The papers presented by the heads of the different delegations provided insight into the ways the Scottish Rite had its beginning in the different countries and their vision for its future. Grand Commander Kleinknecht's paper, entitled "Doors and Adversities," related to the Scottish Rite's past traditions and present opportunities. This paper, as well as the other papers delivered by the Grand Commander at other conferences, will be included in the formal report of this Committee and included in the published 1999 Transactions of the Supreme Council.

A report by an Accreditation Committee appointed at a previous Session presented a proposal to enlighten the Conference over affairs in Romania. The report dealt primarily with the two Supreme Councils in Romania and the way in which each was formed. The discussions were held in closed sessions, and all the details were not available to the non-European observers. However, the Conference, in an apparent ultimatum, stated that the two Supreme Councils were to merge, and unless they did so within two years, neither Supreme Council would be invited to participate in any capacity in future Conferences of European Sovereign Grand Commanders. This seemed rather strange to the American observers in that other Conferences have in attendance Supreme Councils which are not recognized by all participating members.

Northern Masonic Jurisdiction Annual Meetings
The Northern Masonic Jurisdictional Annual Meetings were held in Cincinnati, Ohio, September 26–29, 1998, and in Atlantic City, New Jersey, September 26-29, 1999. Representing the Southern Jurisdiction were Grand Commander Kleinknecht, Inspectors Reid, Moyers, Lichty, Hall, Lancaster, Hamiliton, Seale, Iversen, Rothman, and Miller. The Sessions proved most enjoyable affairs as our Brethren in the Northern Jurisdiction made everyone feel welcome. Sovereign Grand Commander Robert O. Ralston, 33°, presided over the meetings with his usual ease and expertise.

It was interesting to note the progress made by the Northern Jurisdiction in the creation of two new videotapes and their expansion of Children's Learning Centers. Twelve centers were already in operation with 23 more either planned or under construction. We commend our Northern Brethren upon their accomplishments. The Sessions concluded with the Thirty-third Degree Conferral, done in a most impressive manner, followed with State dinners given to honor each State's new 33° Masons.

Colombian Supreme Council Annual Session
The Supreme Council of Columbia held its Annual Session in Barranquilla, Colombia, April 24, 1999. The Southern Jurisdiction was represented at this Session by Ill. Arthur J. Kerr, 33°, Deputy in the Panama Canal.

XIV Reunion Of The Sovereign Grand Commanders Of The Americas
The Fourteenth Reunion of the Sovereign Grand Commanders of the Americas was held in Boston, Massachusetts, May 5–9, 1999. Our Supreme Council was represented by a delegation led by Grand Commander Kleinknecht and included Inspectors Reid, Hamilton, and Lancaster, as well as Deputy Kerr. The Reunion was attended by representatives from 19 Supreme Councils from North, South, and Central America, and an observer from France who was a guest of the Northern Jurisdiction. The theme for this Session was: "Where do we come from? Where are we? Where are we going?"

Following normal opening procedures on Thursday morning, Grand Commander Ralston of the Northern Jurisdiction was elected President of the XIV Reunion of the Grand Commanders of the Americas. The Plenary Session began with the presentation of papers by heads of each delegation. Each was interesting and informative. Grand Commander Kleinknecht's paper, "Lashing the Wheel," was printed in the June 1999 Scottish Rite Journal.

The papers reflected the political, social, or religious conditions existing in some of the countries. Some papers were quite philosophical and prompted consideration of one's individual duties and responsibilities, while others pointed to difficulties Freemasonry was encountering in some Jurisdictions. The last part of the theme, "Where Are We Going?" appeared to create the most interest among the participants. In his concluding remarks, Grand Commander Ralston referred to an article in the May 1998 Scottish Rite Journal. The article by Brother Seán O'Néill, 32°, stated: "May we, then, in our time, be not only moved to improve ourselves, but be touched by the fire that ignited the devotion of generations of Brothers who have gone before. As we stand upon the threshold of the future, let us be of one mind, and by working for a better world, welcome both the rewards and the difficulties that await the Masons of the new millennium."

The 43rd Conference Of European Sovereign Grand Commanders
The 43rd Conference of European Sovereign Grand Commanders was held May 26–30, 1999, in Brussels, Belgium. Ill. Robert Woodward, 33°, Deputy for the American Military Scottish Rite Bodies–NATO Bases, represented the Southern Jurisdiction. This Conference was scheduled originally to be held in Istanbul, Turkey, but was moved to Brussels. The meeting was called to order at 3:00 pm, May 26th, by Ill. Henri Baranger, 33°, Sovereign Grand Commander of France and President of the 42nd Conference. Heads of delegations presented papers, and Deputy Woodward, representing Grand Commander Kleinknecht, presented a paper titled "Fundamentalism."

The Representative from Switzerland proposed that a permanent "Commission of Sovereign Grand Commanders" be formed whose function would be to see that good relations existed between Supreme Councils. This proposal drew numerous comments and concerns as it was felt by some such a committee was unnecessary and might conflict with the Grand Constitutions, which limit the powers of Supreme Councils to their individual jurisdictions.

Although the proposed intention of the "Commission" was to foster good relations, it becomes apparent that the sovereignty and autonomy of Supreme Councils could be undermined or adversely influenced by such a body. A hypothetical example of injudicious influence would be the Commission denying the right of one Supreme Council to recognize another Supreme Council not in amity with all others on the Commission. The powers of a Supreme Council to act independently must not be proscribed or infringed. After concerns were expressed, the name of the proposed "Commission" was changed to "Coordinating Committee" and the proposal for its establishment passed by a vote of 15–4, with the understanding that its attributes be studied.

The proposal taken at the 42nd Conference dealing with the issue of providing the legitimacy of the Supreme Council of Romania was brought to the floor. It was reported that the National United Grand Lodge of Romania, headed by M.W. Grand Master Nicoara, and the National Grand Lodge of Romania, led by M.W. Grand Master Comanescu, had once again been called into question and, therefore, the merger of the two Grand Lodges had not been accomplished. It is quite interesting for Masons in North America to note that the Grand Lodge of Romania, led by Grand Master Comanescu, is the Grand Lodge recommended by the Commission on Information for Recognition, Grand Masters Conference of North America, as the only Regular Grand Lodge in Romania. According to a recent report prepared by the Masonic Service Association of North America, this Grand Lodge is recognized by 27 Grand Lodges in North America and 26 other Grand Lodges. It is also surprising that the Conference of Grand Commanders would involve itself in the affairs of a Grand Lodge, as such involvement might complicate matters for the Brethren in resolving local problems.

In closing this report, it seems most appropriate to stress the importance of maintaining close relationships with Scottish Rite Bodies wheresoever dispersed. Freemasonry has often been recognized as the largest and oldest fraternal organization in the world. As a part of this vast family, it behooves us as a Supreme Council to aid and assist in promoting its goals of making good men better and practicing charity, which in turn creates a greater place in which good men can live and prosper.

We commend the work of our Grand Commander, who is recognized as a strong advocate of Scottish Rite events worldwide. He has supported other Supreme Councils by his presence on numerous occasions and met with Masonic leaders from throughout the world. He has extended warm greetings to those who visit our Supreme Council headquarters and has contributed outstanding leadership and support to the Orients in this Jurisdiction.