The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-07-22

WARRINGTON, u. o., July N,-Ihe
closing OF the Russian exhibits at tho
Worlds Columbian Exposition yester.
day, aud the statement that au appeal
would be made to the Russian minis
ter here for protection, as reported
from Chicago, were discussed in Off
cial circles to-day, rather blindly ,be'
cause OF the lack Of particulars.
The Russian legation in Washington
Is closed, all the members being at
Lenox, Mass, where they are spending
the summer.
An examination OF the reports made
by the United States commissioners to
the several Worlds Fairs OF recent
years, on file in the state department,
shows that but scant attention was
made to the matter OF selling exhibits
by tho exhibitors. II seems to have
been taken for granted that sales would
be made, but the regulations governing
them were very brief.
In mono Of the Worlds Fairs was any
reference made to the sale OF the dupll.
Gates OF articles on exhibition, which
appear to have been the basis OF the
difficulty in Chicago.
The trouble mentioned Is detailed in
Chicago dispatch which says that
every Russian exhibit at tho fair in.
stalled in tho departments OF manufac-
lures and liberal arts was closed yester-
day, and unless all signs fail the imperi-
al commissioner general would to-day
order the exhibits from the land OF the
czar which have been installed in the
other departments closed.
Incidentally Russian flag has been
torn from Its place over the Russian
section in tho liberal arts department
and has been trampled under foot.
This act Of seeming vandalism was, 1t Is
claimed, the work of representative
of tho United States department OF Gus.
toms.
The exact cause Of the trouble can
not be learned. 1t Is known, however,
that for some time the customs officials
have hold the opinion that the Russian
exhibitors were selling goods contrary
to the ruleH. :.
Wednesday morning shortly before
noon one OF the Russian exhibitors,
Monsieur Plar, was aCcosted by three
strangers, two OF whom we're dressed as
civilians, tho third as an inspector Of
customs. The latter demanded the
keys OF the exhibit, which was located
in the section in the manufactures
building.
A written complaint was last evening
forwarded to Director General Davis
signed by Imperial Commissioner Gem
eral Gluchowskoy. The latter gave
notice that he had ordered the exhibits
in the two departments closed, and
intimated that all exhibits might be
finally Withdrawn. He also informed
the director general that a customs off,
cial had torn Russian flag from its
place over the exhibit in the liberal arts
department, presided over by Nine.
semetschkine. This insult, he said,
had no shadow OF excuse. A demand
has been made for an immediate
apology.
Each OF the commissioners wore crepe
upon his arm. The reporter was in
formed that this was not sign OF
mourning but an indication that na.
tional insult had been received. Tho
crepe will be worn until the commits
sioners are withdrawn from the coun.
try or an ample apology received.
Collector Clark visited the fair
grounds to-day to inquire into the diff
Guilty between the custom officers and
the Russian exhibitors. He ordered
Deputy Collector Hall to make O full
report OF the matter, and pending re-
view OF the report the collector will
take no official action.