St. Paul daily globe., 1896-04-05

would be worn with as much pleasure
ord breakers as though they were stud
ded with gems.
1t was further arranged that the
first celebration Of the games should
be held at Athens, it beirg considered
appropriate that the birthplace of the
famous Olympian festival should be
the scene of it's rechristening. After
the expiration of four years the inter
national contest is to be held in Paris,
and four years later in New York.
1t was of course realized that the
undertaking was one of great magni-
tude, and doubts were expressed as
first as to the possibility of it's con-
summation. But zeal preponderated
over timidity, and the work was taken
up in earnest. The whole scheme was
placed in charge of permanent inter-
national committee under the preSi-
dency Of the eminent Greek litterateur,
Demetrius Bikelas, who first suggested
the great Olympian revival.
AS secretary for the first year or
until the first contest had taken place.
Baron Pierre lie Caubertin, of Paris,
was chosen, and he has made an active
and efficient officer.
The assurance that Greece would
accept the responsibility thrown upon
her for the first year and would do her
utmost to insure success was simply
given when the crown prince of Greece
signified his willingness to act as pres
ident Of the special Greek committee.
BY reason of his station and the con-
fdence and affection with which he is
regarded among his people he is emil
nently fitted for this important func-
ton. His intimate personal acquaint-
ance with athletic sports and his life
long interest in them have made his
duties pleasant, even though eXereme-
ly arduOus. The amount Of actual
work that this public spirited prince
has accomplished is really wonderful
and shows that he has been no mere
f1gurehead. Every detail of organiza-
tion, plans and rules has passed under
his most rigid inspection. Many Of
the most important provisions are the
result Of his original suggestion, and
during the final week of preparation
he has been busy night and day, so
deep is his concern with success pro-
pOrtionate to it's Importance and the
classic spot chosen for the revival.
The committee, which has worked in
concert with him, and whose member
ship includes some of the most emf
nent men of Greece, has been mar
velously active and successful 1t has
overcome obstacles seemingly insur-
mountable. and it's members have de-
voted themselves unremittingly to the
great work at immense sacrifice of time
and all considerations of personal COM
fort.
A more vivid idea of the inmensity
of the scheme which has been put into
execution during the passage Of some
twenty calendar months may be OBJ
tanned by a glance at the financial
necessities that have been met.
The first call was for voluntary SUBJ
scriptions. The appeal to the glorious
traditions of the past, coupled with
the promise Of so much good for the
Greek youth Of today and of the fut-
ure, met with an immediate and loyal
response. From all parts of the coun-
try and from all classes contributions
flowed in, but the people Of Greece
are poor as we'll as patriotic, and the
sum total of their contributions was
but 100000 drachmas-that is to say,
about $36,OOO
The committee having had in seri-