Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-04-15
THE PARIS EXPOSITION.
Representation OF the United states.
The President TO Congress.

WASHINGTON, ID. C., April 1.-THE
President to-day sent the following mes
sage 10 Congress, urging 1t TO make suit
able provision for adequate representa-
ton of the United States at the Paris
Exposition:
''To the Senate and House of Represen-
tatives:
II transmit herewith, for the consldera-
tion OF the respective houses Of the Con-
gress. a report of the Secretary Of State
representing the appropriateness of early
action in order that the Government or
the United States may be enabled to ac-
cept the invitation of the French repub-
lie to participate in the Universal Ex-
position 10 be held in Paris in 1900.
1.-THE recommendations of this report
have my most cordial approval. and l
urge upon the Congress such timely
provision for this great International en-
terprse as will fittingly respond to the
widely-testified wish and expectation OF
our inventors and producers, that they
may have adequate opportunity again, as
in the past. TO fortify the important po-
sition they have won In the worlds COM
petitive fields of discovery and industry.
Nor are the traditional friendships OF
the United States and France, and the
enlarged commercial intercourse. less i'm
portant factors than the individual in
terests to be fostered by renewed partici-
patton in a great French exposition, and
especially when II IS remembered that
the present display is projected with
degree of completeness, and on a scale or
magnifcence beyond those of any OF
the European expositions that have mark
ed the close of the century.
at is proper that / should emphasize
the need Of early action for II the present
session pass without suitable provision
being made the postponement OF the
matter for nearly a year longer could
not but operate greatly TO the disadvan-
tage of the United States, in view of the
elaborate preparations already making
by other governments. and of the danger
that further delay may result in an in
adequate allotment Of space to THIS
country. as well as an incomplete or
ganzation of the American exhibit
(SignedD WILLIAM MKINLEY."
Secretary Sherman, in his report. urges
that if the United States is to be
fttingly represented, steps should be
taken to insure such representation by
making the necessary appropriation.
He says: 1.-THE purpose of the govern
ment of the French republic now is to
make the forthcoming exposition the
most notable of the century, in order TO
fttingly round the history Of an era IN
which such international displays have
filled a most important part by bring
ing the nations together in the interests
Of commerce and friendship. Recalling
not only the prominent part taken by
the United States in such enterprises
heretofore in foreign countries, but also
the cordial interest shown by the French
nation and people in our Columbian EX-
position at Chicago, it is desirable. and
indeed. imperative, that provision be
made now. commensurate not alone with
the records of the past, but with the UNI
paralleled scale upon which France pro-
poses to conduct this new exposition"
The Secretary recommends an appro-
priation of $4,000.