The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-01-27

most appreciate extent. American agri-
culture equally desirous or representa-
ton. and California in particular has ar
ranged to be superoly represented Not
only that, but the French government has
taken special pains to have a large cotton
exhibit from our Southern States. Cotton
in the raw state has become an important
article in France, and the government OF
that country intends to offer very large
prizes for tine American exhibits of that
staple.
ambassador Eustis has received the warm
thanks OF the French government for the
pains he has taken TO impress the people or
this country with the Importance OF the
exposition. Mr.. Eustis has done his best TO
create a feeling in the Senate favorable to
the undertaking, and 10 aid the contem-
plated million-dollar appropriation. There
have been some objections to an appropriate
ton OF SO large a sum- but the claim Is
made that our dignity is involved in being
well represented, and that our manuiac-
turers need TO be encouraged before they
risk their goods far from home. 1t is
recalled that France did very we'll by US at
Chicago. and that we should certainly re-
A series of very spectacular bridges will
form feature Of the exposition. They are
to be temporary, bur magnificent. and sus-
ceptible to gorgeous illumination at night.
One of them, the Prague bridge, is to be
constructed in Venetian style; another
will be suspension, after the Brook
about the grounds will be arranged with
special reference TO Illumination. III is pro-
posed to have the exposition flooded with
changing lights all night long, bathsd in a
sea of alternating yellow and blue and
red. II will interest US TO learn that a spe-
cial effort viii be made TO include among
the potentateS who visit the exposition no
less a parsonage that the President of the
United States. There is nothing in the Con-
stitution to prevent such a pilgrimage but
of course legislation by Congress would be
necessary in the way Of appropriations and
so forth. 1t would be an unprecedented
thing for our President TO do. but the
French are very sure that they can bring it
about AS all the world knows. Emperor
William has announced his intention OF
visiting Paris in 1900 to see the exposition
If the President went, too, the great enter
prise would ever be memorable IN American
annals.
The French are beginning to wonder what
effect European war would have on the
vast undertaking. Ii would certainly prove
disastrous to the exposition. 1t is difficult
to imagine such an affair prospecting with
war raging on the continent. France has
invested such enormous sums in the scheme
and has such VASE interests at stake. that
she is likely to be an advocate Of peace until
1900 is off her hands.
l.. would be invidious TO make comparisons
and draw a contrasted picture OF Chicago in
1893 and Paris in 1900. The two undertake
ings quite different in execution. 1t is
to be expected that Paris will draw more
visitors than Chicago could. The influx of
visitors to France from America will be
enormous, Of course, in the exposition years.
1t is enormous during any year, but the
whole country will want to go in 1900. Far
ahead as the date is, the great ocean steam
ship lines have already begun to prepare
for 1t. Two new steamers are being bid for
by contractors to take the water in 1900 on
one line only. The ocean fleet OF the COM
panies will be easily doubled.
The question suggests itself: What good
wilE the exposition do us? The answer is
that If we avail ourselves of the induce
ments offered by the French government,
the advantages will be enormous. We have
chance of vastly increasing our exports
to the French republic, and of extending
the market for our manufactured goods
there. Our Congress, unfortunately for our
selves. has always fought very shy Of
worlds fairs in foreign lands. We were
wretchedly represented in Paris in 1878. 1t
behooveS us to do better in 1900.