Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-07-13
THE FIGHT FOR THE PICTURE.
IL ID Almost Certain that s'The Angclus''
VIII Come To America.

London Special Cable 10 the New York Herald
''Millet's 'Angelus' will so 10 America, /" said
James r. Sutton to-day
Next 10 the French government Mr.. Sutton
was the highest bidder. His story of the sale,
the Noncompliance Of the purchasers with the
terms and his final success is as follows;
The bidding in OF the picture for the gov
eminent and the subsequent refusal Of the dep
uties to confirm the purchase--which is nov
next to an assured fact-hsve been political
acts. Many Frenchmen desire 10 keep the pic-
ture in France simply because il is a great
work Of art Others. from different motives th,uk
no doubt that NJ. Proust wanted 20 make polit-
ical capital from having led a successful at
tempt to retain the picture. On the other hand
some are trying TO make political capital by
urging that the cost is too great and the gov
eminent had better use the money in aiding
starving citizens.
TEE PICTURE WORTH IT'S PRICE.
"In keeping with this claim was begun an al
tempt to decry the merit Of the picture. To
say that the picture is worth only Goo. or that
there was a scheme on the part Of the govern
ment or some one acting for IL 20 force some
American 10 pay an enormous price, is simply
nonsense. i saw the 'Angelus' years ago and
have had an eye on it ever since. with the de-
| termination of buying il il a chance offered
itself. 1 know that NJ Secretan was offered
100000 for the picture and he refused it,
came prepared TO pay G20, 200 for the picture.
| and had two competitors-besides the French
government-who were willing to pay c20. OoO
These facts are enough 20 render ridiculous the
| claim that the picture is worth only f5O0. AT
the sale the picture was knocked down 10 the
government without warning TO the bidders.
Something of a row Immediately followed and
finally compelled them TO put il up again. and
the bids ran up to IN. 100 before NJ. Proust
got it.
THEY FAILED TO RAISE THE FUNDS.
The condition was that the money should
be paid last Friday. On Thursday NJ. Proust
came TO me and asked whether was willing to
take the picture if he failed to get the money
L said yes, and have been following the matter
ap, as 1 had doubts about his getting the
money. he borrowed the money from the
Rothschilds, when he found the deputies would
not vote II in time and put the painting on exhi-
| bltion. Over S625 were taken the first dav
Then put stop to the exhibition. having Sc
cured contract TO take the picture. Last
| Tuesday. having found out that there was no
chance of the deputies confirming the pur-
chase, NJ. Proust came TO me and said lac would
certainly be defeated
| SUTTON GETS THE PICTURE
81 then had a talk with HIM and the repre-
sentative of the Corcoran gallery, who was one
of the highest bidders. They agreed that il
was only right that / should have the first
chance TO take the picture. / accordingly en-
| tered into contract 10 take il off NJ Proust's
hands at just what he paid for il in case the
deputies refused to confirm the purchase. They
surely will refuse. VI. Proust expected 20 get
the picture for $4,000. He had secured SUBJ
scriptions amounting to $4,000. but tine excite.
ment at the sale very great and many
shouted TO him to go on bidding and they
would furnish the money. This was mere talk
as the event has shown. One man-a stranger
TO me-told me to go ahead for he would give
j $4,000 TO have the picture 90 to America
| When II. Proust found that the government
would almost certainly refuse TO take the pic
ture he came TO me naturally. for he did not
care TO shoulder his obligation TO the Roths-
childs. He did not want the picture. There
| Is sure TO be great stir over the matter in
France, for the government will be severely
| criticized whether It takes the picture or not
| The feeling is divided and intense. The matter
will be settled to-day or tomorrow. I have a
| representative here who will watch matters
hope and expect that the picture will be
! shipped TO America within two weeks. IL is
possible that will FIRST put il on exhibition for
two weeks in Paris for Nine. Millet's benefit"