The Sun.
London, England, 1865-02-22 00:00:00

The Paris Exhibition in 1867,

[REUTER'S EXPRESS.]
PARIS, Feb. 21.

A report of M. Armand Behic, the Minister of
Agriculture, Commerce, and Public Works, upon
the Universal Exhibition of AgriCultural, Industrial,
and Artistic products, proposed to be held in this
capital in 1867, has just appeared.
The report commences by stating the financial
results of the London Exhibitions in 1851 and 1862,
and of the Paris Exhibition of 1855, discusses the
causes which produced the success of the former and
the comparative failure of the latter, and holds out
the prospect of better fortune for the new under-
taking by drawing upon the experience gained in
1855. M. Behic then proceeds :
" Starting from these considerations, I foresee
that the Exhibition of 1867 may require an outlay
of 18 millions. I add that the unfavourable even-
tualities which may arise in these kinds of under-
takings do not seem able to carry this expense above
20 millions. The receipts will probably vary from
seven to nine millions. I conclude that the enter-
prise may show a deficit of 12 millions.

" These calculations would probably not vary
sensibly whether applied to an enterprise entirely
private or to an exhibition conducted with the as-
sistance and under the direction of the Government.
No company, actuated merely by speculation, would
therefore propose to undertake the Universal Exhi-
bition of 1867, without being guaranteed against
inevitable loss by a direct or indirect subvention at
least equal to the deficit foreseen. From the finan-
cial point of view, therefore, the State would have
nothing to gain by depriving itself of all influence
in the preparation and conduct of the operation.
Perhaps it might be said that the character of the
public interest, which causes the participation of the
public Treasury in the expenses this operation en-
tails, does not permit the Government to hold itself
aloof ; and, further, it may be doubted whether such
abandonment would profit the brilliancy, the utility,
and the success of the Exhibition.

" In another direction, there is nothing exagge-
rated in admitting that by following the system of
administration adopted by France in 1862,—i. e.,
by firmly maintaining unity of action and energy of
control—notable improvements upon the previsions
of the budget may again be realised.
" The utility of Exhibitions has been clearly de-
monstrated by the arguments brought forward in
the Report my predecessor had the honour to sub-
mit to the Emperor in support of the decree of June
22, 1863. Referring to these arguments, I find
that the State and the city of Paris have a sufficient
interest in the realisation of your Majesty's idea to
justify their participation in the expense, by means
of a subvention.

" This subvention, limited to 12 million francs,
would be divided in equal portions between the
treasury and the city, which, by means of allotment,
would be relieved from all responsibility if the
undertaking were to entail loss. The Prefect of
the Seine, whom I have consulted upon the point,
is of opinion that the Municipal Council of Paris,
who are always found disposed to assist in useful
and generous matters, would not decline this par-
ticipation.
" The surplus of the expenses, estimated at six
or eight millions, would be covered by the receipts
arising from entry duties, and, should these be
found insufficiet, by the guarantee of a society .to
be formed for that purpose under the auspices of
the Imperial commission.
" In case the amount of the realised receipts,
compared with total expenditure above the subven-
tion of 12 millions granted by the State and the
city, should leave a surplus, this benefit, arising from
the favour of the public and the good administra-
tion of the enterprise, would be apportioned in
equal parts to the State, the city of Paris, and the
guaranteeing society.
" By this proceeding, Sire, trade and commerce,
which are summoned to contribute to the splendour
of this solemnity and to reap its advantages, would
find themselves at the same time mixed up and in-
terested, in the only proportion the habits of our
country admit, in its organisation and in the for-
tunate or adverse chances it may offer in a financial
point of view.
" This would be at once a first step made upon
the initiative path traversed by our neighbours
with so much firmness, and a homage rendered to
the spirit of association.
" The natural consequence of this organisation
would be to give the guaranteeing society, in the
carrying out and surveillance of the operation, a
part proportioned to its interest.

" The Imperial Commission might then be com-
posed, in addition to its President and the Minis-
ters whom their functions summon to take part in
it, of 41 persons selected by the Emperor from
among competent notabilities of the State and the
city of Paris, and 19 others to be ulteriorly desig-
nated by the guaranteeing society by way of elec-
tion, :and according to the mode that has been re-
cognised as most practicable.
,6 The chances of success of future Exhibitions
will be increased by adding upon each occasion to
the directing power persons conversant with the
conduct of Exhibitions held previously in other
countries. England being the only foreign nation
which, up to the present time, has engaged in this
kind of undertaking, I propose to your Majesty to
include three Englishmen among the members of
the Imperial commission.

The decree published in consequence of this re-
port orders that the Exhibition shall be opened at
Paris on the Ist May, 1867, and nominates the
members of the commission. Among these appear
the names of Prince Napoleon (President), Lords
Granville and Cowley, Mr. Cobden, certain of the
Ministers, MM. Elie de Beaumont, Dolfus, Dufour,
Devinck, Michel Chevalier, Ingres, Schneider,
Thouvenel, General Henry, Baron Iloussmaun, Duke
de Morny, Admiral Laroneiere de Naury, &c.
Another decree orders an Universal Exhibition of
Fine Arts to be held simultaneously with the Indus-
trial Exhibition, and to clog:, the 30th September
following.

The Navy Estimates,

The Navy Estimates for the year 1865-66 were
issued yesterday. The net decrease, as compared with
last year, is £316,427, the total amount required
being £10,392,224 against £10,708,651. It should
be stated, however, that the sum thus voted last
year includes the votes in the supplementary esti-
mate for increasing the full pay and for the exten-
sion of naval retirement of officers of the navy,
amounting to £61,041, and the supplementary
estimate for purchase and completion by contract of
the El Tousson and El Monassir, iron-clad ships,
amounting to £220,000. The items of decrease
are as follows :—Coastguard service, &c., £16,323 ;
scientific branch, £1,234 ; her Majesty's establish-
ments at home, £159 ; ditto abroad, £334; wages
to artificers in home establishments, £116,509 ;
section one in naval stores, Storekeeper-General of
the Navy, £29,528 ; section two, Comptroller of
the Navy, £317,512 ; and half-pay, &c., to officers
of the Navy and Royal Marines, .15,370. On the
other hand, the wages to seamen and marines are in-
creased by £15,093 ; victuals and clothing for ditto,
£21,575 ; Admiralty-office, £7,352 ; artificers
abroad, £3,380 ; new works, &c., £83,687 ; medicines
and medical stores, £450 ; miscellaneous services,
£1,605 ; military pensions and allowances, £17,010 ;
civil pensions and allowances, £14,050. The esti-
mated amount for the coming year of extra re-
ceipts and repayments to be paid to the Exchequer
is £239,319, which reduces the net amount of the
navy estimates to £10,152,905, against the net
amount last year of £10,507,792. With regard to
numbers, the number of officers, petty officers, and
seamen to be voted for the coming year is 38,000,
against 38,500 last year. There are also 7,000
boys ; and 7,000 men in the coastguard service,
against 7,500 last year, making the total 52,000
against 53,000. The marines are in all 17,000 ;
namely, 8,000 for service afloat, and 9,000 for ser-
vice on shore, being 1,000 less than in 1864-5. The
civilians for the coastguard service are 750 against
950, leaving the total force in the fleet and coast-
guard service 69,750, against 71,950 last year.