New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-16
A WORLDS FAIR IN 1900.
FRENCH OPPOSITION ovERcoME-coN-
sIpERATIoNs FOR AND AGAINST 1T.


q Universal Exposition in the year 1900 This
decision was adopted. by vote or 10 10
l. by the committee TO which Parliament hao
referred the matter. The principal members &C.
clared that they were obliged to vote In favor OF
the Exposition because the Government had forced
their hand by issuing invitations TO foreign POWERS
previous to the final decision Of Parliament. the
world would be stupefed to hear that France would
not stand by her engagements This ends the VICE.
spread and serious opposition to a project mat IS
Of interest to the business and pleasure OF the
whole world, In which Paris claims to be the City
OF Light.
The origin Of the project was to all appearances
a mere accident Of French jingoism. Berlin. stmu-
lated by the action OF Chicago. new great city
like itself began to talk Of celebrating the centurys
end and it's greatness by a giant WORLDS L ar.
At once the Paris newspapers discovered that the
Paris Expeditions had been recurring at intervals
Of eleven years (he first was properly tweve)-soo'
1867 1873 and 1SS9-which made II the indefeasioe
rRht OF Paris to have the exposition OF 1907 against
Berlin. Deputies were not wanting to jump up N
Parliament, with that epileptc patriotism wnich
seems to say. Hold me, or shall do damage IN
Europev Berlin directly counselled by the Emper-
or decided 10 leave the field free TO the French
patriots and her own business men retoced that
their national competition with France was 10 De
again waged French soil and at French expense.
The French Parliament hastily made a first appro-
priatlon of money for complete study OF the plan
10 be adopted. The Government appointed COM
mission headed by men Of recognized ability, ana
q great deal Of employment has already been given
to artists and experts. Plans. varying from the
tremendous ludcrous. have kept the agitation
alive at home and abroad!
OPPOSITION CROPS OUT.
No one seemed to notice. meanwhile. that Parla-
mcnt had never voted the Exposition at all AT last
the half-frightened opposition of the provinces.
which see the riches of France swallowed up more
and more in the selfish whir Of Paris. began to
find utterance. Maurice Barree. who once threat
ened to become the first literary man of France
but who is now out of Parliament and somewhat
out OF work united with other Decentralizers to or
xanize a loud opposition to the whole project Then
a few prominent business men ventured to express
the misgivngs of their class. so heavily taxed TO
so little apparent profit by these ruinousy eXpen-
sive shows. The newspapers. which brought about
the Franco Prussian war, and had already started
the Exposition project. began taking sides against
IT, II was understood that NJ. MellLe. who has o.
ganzed the tariffs of France. and is president OF the
Paraments Exposition Committee was opposed
to 1t for Industrial reasons. Artists by the hun
dred began pettioning against the Disagreement OF
the city to result from it. For the last menth
Parisians have been suffering from alternate chills
and fever Of their hopes. Now they are partially
relieved; but the opposition will still fight step by
step. modify, If it cannot abolish, the whole
project. Ths.tme the opposition wac surprised and
too late. Economical authorities. led by M
Paul Leroy Beaueu and with the silent support OF
many business men. say that France must put an
end to these Worlds Fairs which debarch and ruin
It for the sake of Paris The success Of 1.-The EXPOSE
ton 1900 will thus be watched and noted by jeal-
Gus critics. The controversy already waged shows
what the world at large expect from II.
In the first place. there is going to be an Expos!-
ton Of 1900 On the part Of Continental Europe. II
Is likely to be completer and more brilliant than
any which Paris has yet seem In 1889 mary OF the
European Governments were unwilling TO take part
clio tho
centenary OF the French Revolution. In 1878 French
industry still without rival in all those show
products, ARTICLES de Paris" and the like. which
most strike the attention OF exposition public
To-day German manufacture Is slowly but surely
drawing to itself all the cheaper trade and goods
made in Germany" without the MARK are sent
abroad through Paris houses for the sake OF the
prestige still attaching to the Paris name. Italy
Belgium and Switzerland have developed their In
dustries at the expense Of the French fabrics. All
these countries will be only too glad to advertise
their progress in the arts II their should
still show some inferiority to those of France The
comparison would at least show that Paris Is no
longer the undsputed market Of the worlds lux
urious living &C
FEWER ROYALTIES TO BE SEEN
In one thing, however the Exposition will be less
universal than that Of 1867 which gathered COL
lection Of soveregns around the court OF the EN-
press Eugene such city but Paris has ever
coon of Japan, the Prince Of Wales and the Crown
Prince Of Prussia, with number Of lesser poten-
tates and heirs apparent. Such gathering OF
crowned heads is not to be hoped for in an expos-
ton organized by radical republic. But the I'M
conventional Kaiser Wilhelm would come openly IL
ne dared, and will, perhaps. venture an incosnito
visit. as he did in 1889. The Prince of Wales and
the Kings of Belgium and Greece make too many
private visits to Paris object to a public appear
ance. And II it be brought about that Pres-
dent Felix Faure shall be present at the coronation
Of the Car, the latter may in turn show HIM
self ceremonally to his French allies. Altogether
the concurrence Of Europe seems assured; and
Parisians believe that there will be an improvement
on the wreched showing made in 1889 by the United
States.
Paris. for whose sake the Exposition is 10 be car
ried out will do all that Is TO prove to the
world that she is still the genuine Babylon. clothed
In magnfcence and with the sound Of innumerable
p!pers in her Streets furnishing by day and by night
all the pleasures Of the eye and all the luxury of her
voluptuous civilization In view Of the action still
to be taken by Parliament. 1t would be unsafe to
attempt to describe the details Of what Is to be
done. An effort will be made to force through the
general plan proposed by NJ Picard. the Commits
sary-General of the Exposition. the ground that
the Government has committed itself TO this also
1t seems certain that the space between the Champs
Elysees and the river will be comprised in the Elk.
position grounds. thus bringing the tumult Of the
show into the richest part Of the city To avoid de-
facing its beauty during the four previous years OF
construction and the following years Of destruc-
ton. vines and shrubbery will be made to
screen the boardings that will conceal the building
work. There must surely be a great prospect Of
gain city lead the citizens tolerate this
neddling with its chief attractions.
ESTIMATES OF THE COST
The Paris Municipal Council has the courage Of
its convictions In the matter; and the Government
and doubtless Parliament also. will act to suit
Paris. The first estimate Of the cost OF the EXPOSE
ton was 100000 francs which has been very
properly Increased to 100000 OF this the Nation
ii Government must contribute 20 100000 plus at least
own various ministries and departments. and for
turn Comes forward for 20 COO 000 directly contrib
uted to the expenses OF the Exposition proper But;