Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-11-05
BACK FROM BRUSSELS
Prof Wilson Pleased With the Inter-
national Exposition.
Il
COMMERCIAL IN ITS CHARACTER
Descriptio" Of Some of the More
Interesting, Features.
PRIZES TO WASHINGTONIANS
PRIZES TO WASHINGTONIANs

PRIZES TO WASHlNGION1A
Prof. Thomas Wilson of the Smithsonian
institution, who represented this country
at the Brussels International exposition,
has returned to Washington. Prof. Wilson
left here in August and returned two days
ago. He was much delighted with the ex-
position. which began May 10 and will end
November Z. Prof. Wilson was at one time
United States consul to Client. Belgium,
and was, therefore, peculiarly well fitted
for the duty assigned to him.
The exposition was almost entirely of a
commercial character. and was such as to
be seen, he said. without firing ones self,
as it was not near so large or varied as the
worlds fair at Chicago The Brussels ex-
position was an international one, in which
twenty-seven OF more countries were rep
resented. Many of the representatives
were diplomatic officials at the court of
Belgium or consulor representatives. The
more important countries, however, were
represented by special commissioners
Among these were the United States.
The exhibit of the. United States, Prof
wilson said, while not to be compared with
what it might have been, considering the
appropriation, which was only 5000, was
excellent. OF the twenty-seven countries
represented those having better or larger
exhibitions of value than this country were
France. Germany Great Britain, I,aiy
Switzerland and Austria. He said.
The exposition was essentially a COM
mercial one. In regard to the exhibits of
line arts, the United States had none at
all Its principal displays and those where
IN II excelled were among the typewriters,
sewing machines, cash registers, &c. The
exhibit in regard to the new process of tan
ming feathers in coors was especially sue
cesstul- There was special prize for beer
manufactured by an American firm.
The best display, probably, was in ma
chine tools of precision, they being of a
high standard The latter received two
grand prizes, two diplomas of honor and
a large number of gold medals.
King LeopoId's Grnciousness.
"The distribution of the records of prizes
was on Wednesday, Oct. 20, and took place
in the Sale de Fete of the exposition
King Leopold presided, with the royal fam
lily in loge. His ministers were present,
representatives of foreign countries, the
commissioner generals from the various
countries ard others A speech was made
by Minister of Agriculture Nyssens. The
announcement OF the number of exhibitors
and prizes awarded to each country was
made by Count A. dOultremont. The rep
resen tatives of the different countries were
called upon in person to receive the records
of the awards, which were bound in hand
some volumes. Each commissioner general
presented himself before the king, and
was addressed in his own language by
Leopold. He uses excellent English. He
addressed me in a few chosen words, stat
ing that he was pleased to tender me, and
through me. my coIntrymen his thanks
for the most excellent and interesting dis
play which had been made. This dis
play, he stated was all the better when
1t was taken into consideration the dis
lance it had tot be transported across the
ocean and the limited appropriation avail
able. sb.n t. go
In conclusienihe shook me by the hand
and gave me his most sincere congratula-
lions behalf Of the United States.
Il have been acquainted with King Leo
pcld for some time, as l was consul at
Client. He is a man of extraordinary good
judgment. wisdom in his dealing with men
and political questions. He is one of the
best informed moEarchs in Europe and one
of the richest
Minus Midway PIafsance.
Continuing in regard to the exposition,
Professor Wilson Said:
1T was strictly a commercial enterprise
intended 20 benefit the country, and was
one of several which have been held there.
1t was open on Sunday, when the visitors
there were sometimes 60, DOC people. There
were fine music and other attractions. Alto
gether, there were 6.OUo,0o0 of entries. En-
trance was a franc. The buildings were
closed at 6 o'clock during the summer and
later in the season. though the grounds
were kept open till late. While there was
no Midway Plaisance, existed at Chi
c&go, there was something on that order
which served TO attract the people after the
exhibition buildings were closed at night
This was q recon Instruction OF old Antwerp
End Brussels, dating back about three hun
dIed years. Three streets were represent
ed, with about as much ground represented
as one OF our squares. Admission to this
was ten centimes about two cents in our
money. Different Industries were shown in
FL VI r-1.I
An Interesting Display.
"One of the most interesting displays,
which was really an adjunct to the exposi-
ticn, was what was known as the CongoIese
exhibit, in Teruerin Park, adjacent to the
exposition This was intended to represent
the extent of the country's colonies in the
Congo country. and was similar 10 that part
OF the Madrid exposition given over to the
Philippine Islands. 1t was really a Congo
village, In which were domesticated 500
natives brought especially from that coun-
try They were divided into three different
tribes: Mayombe, Congo and the Bangala
They were shown in. all their different
costumes. customs and habits railway
connected the exposition grounds with the
park, and attracted thousands Some of
the natives were organized into bands of
music. which was an added attraction
conquest of the Congo was a most popular
move on the part of the King of Belgium
VINO ntted out the ships that went down
there himself. 1t was brought about by the
increasing idea of adding foreign posses
sions to their countries which seemed tn
pervade several of the European nations
some time ago.
Productive of Good
ITO sum up, the exposition represented
the benefit received by that country, given
it from an extension of the knowledge of
it's commerce and manufactures and in
crease the intimate relations existing be-
tween the commercial people of the differ
ent countries. j think it may fairly be
said that the exposition has been product
i've of a large amount of good. 1t has pro-
cured in Belgium not a few commercial
houses willing TO handle American pro
ducts. This has eenebrought about by the
several expositions,s.I notice this increase
particularly since the, time 1 was in Bel
GUM. about fifteen years ago, as consul.
Whether anything can be done in this di
rection further between the United states
and Belgium, I eannet say. This is to be
considered when we reflect on the Increased
ac,tt