The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-07-31
WOMEN At THE BIG FAIR.
Mrs. Potter Palmer Returns From q
Tour to Europe Much
Pleased.
The Women of Europe Awaking
to the Importance OF
the Fair.
what Those Of Various Nations Will DO
in tho Way OF Making Adequate
Exhibits.

NEW YoRK, July a5.-Among tho passsn-
gers ON the Normania were Mr.. and Mrs.
Potter Palmer, who have spent the last
three months in Europe. 1t is already
known in New York that Mrs. Palmer met
with a cordial reception abroad as president
of the board of lady managers OF the
Worlds fair. Some of the details OF her
visit she gives as follows:
81 went abroad for rest and recreation,
and had no intention of doing any work for
the board of lady managers, because most
Of the foreign governments had not accept
cd the invitation to participate in the fair
and consequently could not be approached
ON the subject of the committee of ladies
We SO desired to form when l reached Lon
don. Through the kindness of Minister Lin
coin, l was presented to many persons who
took great interest," in tho work Of the board
OF lady managers. Among these were the
Princess Christian. Lady Salisbury and
Baroness Burdett-Coutts. The Princess
Christian Ia notable for her active work for
the women of England. She stands at the
head of women working practical benevo-
lence. The Princess Christian suggested at
once that q committee should be formed,
but an We wished this to come from the gov
eminent, we were obliged to wait until the
appointment of the royal commission.
When l reached Vienna l found that
Austria had not yet accepted the invitation
of our government, as they felt a little sore
over the Mckinley bill, which has osused 30
much distress among their pearl button
makers. Whey will undoubtedly accept
later, but at present we could only try to
--.I-- A.. .&.. sc Aha Dr, CrSr
cess Metternich, tho Archduchess Marie
Theresa, the duchess of Cumberland and
the baroness of Langenau are all ready to
ask for the recognition of a of
women az soon as the proper moment
arrives
Does your sister, Mrs. Frederick Grant.
take an interest in the work." she was
asked.
Every great, and it was through her hat
was brought into communication with
these ladies. She will see that our cause
does not fail for lack of effort. Tho Prin-
cess Metternich is to have a musical expo
sition in Vienna in 1892. which will repre-
sent the history of music in all the coun-
tries of Europe. 1t is probable that this
will be brought to Chicago. as it will make
an important and interesting feature, and
the largest part of the expense has already
been undergone.
"When I returned to Paris the woman
who had been recognized by the govern
ment in connection with the congress of
feminine works and institutions at the e1-
position of 1869, hearing of my being
there, asked for an interview, and a day
was appointed for them to call on me, as /
expected ten or twelve, but forty-two came,
as we'll as many influential senators and
deputies. They represented all the promi-
nent charities and institutions of France.
AZ ong those present We're Nj. jules Simon,
who has been made senator for life; and
MUon Rora1N$ -h0 rnrraCanfa1 prArnn at
the International Council of Women at
Washington two years ago. and many
others. The members of our own board
present we're Mrs. Russell Harrison,
one Of our vice. presidents; Mrs.
veil. of q Chicago. and Miss Lii
ian Brown, of Missouri. We had a full dis
cussiou of the possibilities of recognition
by France, and it was decided to form at
once a provisional committee that should
make an official request for recognition by
the government. 1t was most fortunate
that 1 happened to be there at that time,
because it was necessary that the initiative
should come from our board, in the demand
for recognition of a committee of French
women, NJ. Jules Simon, M. SeiQfried and
other deputies were to be the means of
communication between the government
and the women. Next morning was pre-
sentsd by M. Antoine Proust, who has been
appointed by the French government
as tine arts director at the Worlds
fair, and whose experience as minister
of fine arts at the recent Paris exposition
makes that department an assured sue
cess, to M. Jules Roche, minister of COM
merce, in whose department work of the
exposition falls. M. Roche was very cor
dial and sympathetic. He offered his Co
operation and assured US that the women
would have recognition by the government.
He could saw nothing, however, as to the
financial aid that would be given us. A
committee had been previously appointed
by the French government to decide what
should be done by France for the Chicago
exposition. The committe met, fortunate-e
~, the next day, and our former application
for recognition of the women who went be-
fore it, and was granted. An appropriation
of 300, COO francs, which was asked for, will
have to be voted upon by the deputies in
the autumn. Mime. Carnot made an ap-
pointment to see me, and l had a long
and q delightful interview with her at
the palace of the Elysee. She will help the
committee in every way in her power. [
also saw Nine. Ribot, wife of the minister
of foreign affairs. a lady who was born in
Chicago. She will be greatly pleased to
help US. The women of France felt more