The evening times., 1897-02-09

Reports recently received at the State De-
partment indicate that the Paris EXposi-
tion OF 1900 will be made the greatest
worlds far held TO that date. There is to
be an industrial exhibition this year at
Stockholm opening on May 8 next. but
only four countries are represented, swe-
| den, Norway, Denmark and Russia. Finland
will be especially prominent. The art ex-
hibit, however, will receive contributions
| from nearly all the countries of Europe.
But the Paris Exposition in the most
| experienced hands in the world, and the
French people are laying forth their ener-
| gies to make il round out the century with
a blaze of glory from the arts OF peace that
contrasts grandly with the town a hun
| dred years ago, when Napoleon was found
/ ing the first empire upon European thrones.
| They have given already a guarantee of
| sec, 900 900, OF which three-fifths comes
| from the isS Ie OF bonds worth 81 each. The
funds are now on deposit a. 2 12 per cent
| interest till 1900. The Bank of France
| advances money as needed at IA per cent
interest The bonds bear no interest, and
are redeemable in exposition tickets Each
The site OF the exposition is the largest
available in the center of any city in the
world includes the sites of some OF the
previous shows. Beginning at the Place
de la Concorde, in the very heart of Paris,
it extends along both sides of the Seine
to point Beyond the Jena Bridge Among
the famous localities in this stretch are
the Champ de Mars, Trocadero Palace,
Esplanades deS Invalides, COur de la RENE,
Quai d'Orsay, Quai de la Conference, and
a large section of the Champs Elysees. The
sites OF the exposition of 1855, the first
of the series, and of 1889, as Well rs the
Trocade where that of 1877 was held
are within the bounds Indicated The Eiffel
Tower will remain, but will receive i'm
portant notifications.
The Palais dc | 'InduStrie, which held the
entire show in 1858, viii be gone, and in
its place Will have arisen splendid edifice
to be the Fine Arts Hail. West OF this
on the Champs Elysees also will be the
Hall of Liberal Arts Both these structures
are to he permanent. In the former will
probably be held the great annual exhibit
ton of paintings, the salon of the Society
French Artists, which has hitherto been
put in the Palace de l'Industrie Between
the two will run a broad avenue extending
down to the Seine, to a point where a
magnificent bridge will span the river.
1t is named after the late Car Alexander
III The corner stone was laid by the
present Car, during his recent visit to
Paris
All the artistic genius of the greatest
nation OF artist lin the world is being drawn
upon 20 make this work a fit accompani-
ment of the stately palace with golden
dome which marks the last resting place
OF the first consul. EXpositions have Eeen
held at Paris approximately every eleven
years since the middle of the century. The
last, 1889. had hardly closed when public
opinion, lei by the newspap pers, fixed upon
1900 as the date for the next. Early in
July, 1892, the official initiative was
taken by the minister OF commerce and in
dustry in a communication to President
Carnot, ard on July 1 8 She executive de-
Gee fixing the date was issued A peTma-
nent executive body was created. 1t is
officially connected with the ministry of
commerce, ana is assisted by an advisory
organization selected frcm all the leading
societies, financial, industrial. learned and
governmental, of the country, including all
Hua hbN ilE VI SoItAi4iIiNC lilc
renubic.
Preparations are already well advanced
The clearing of the ground. and in some
instances constructions, are well under
way. The opening day will be April 8
and the closing November 8. 800. 1t is
believed that everything will he in readi-
ness at the appointed time, but there is no
time TO lose even with the three years re-
manning, and the large resources at COM
mand.
American exhibitors are advised to make
their plans promptly, and in their in
terest report, prepared by tie exposition
authorities, has been sent here. The Swiss
republic has already had the matter under
consideration, and a preliminary appro-
priation has been asked for. A ma jority of
the Cantons express doubt as to the prac-
tical utility Of such exhibitions, but wish
TO maintain the national dignity.