The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-12-05

symptoms having supervened. Not
withstanding this, efforts are reported
70 be continuing for the ascertainment
OF Colombia's contingent liability on
account Of Cerrutf's debt under the fifth
article OF the award.
4 claim of an American citizen
against the DOMINICAN republic for a
public bridge over the Ozama river,
which has been in diplomatic contro-
versy for several years, has been set
tied by expert arbitration and an award
in favor OF the claimant amounting 70
about $50. COO It, however. remains I'M
paid, despite urgent demands for its set
Element according to the terms OF the
compact
There is now every prospect that the
participation of the United states IN the
universal exposition to be held in Paris
in 1900 viii be on a scale commensurate
with the advanced position held by our
products and industries in the worlds
chief marts.
The preliminary report OF Noses P.
Handy who. under the act approved
July 19. 1897, was appointed speclai
commissioner, with view TO securing
all attaiuable infOrma ton necessary 10
q full and complete understanding by
congress in regard TO the participation
OF this country in the Paris exposition,
was laid before you by my message OF
December s. 1897. and showed the large
opportunities opened TO make known
our national progress in art science,
and manufactures as we'll as the urgent
visions to enable due advantage there
of TO be taken.
Mr.. Handy's death soon afterwards
rendered it necessary for another to
take uD and complete his unfinished
work. and on January II. last, MI
Thomas W. Cridler. third assistant sec
Tetary of state was designated TO hi
that task His report was laid before
you by my message of June Il, 1898,
with the gratifying result of awaken
ing renewed interest in the projected
display. BY provision in the sundFy
civil appropriation act OF july i, 1893, a
sum not to exceed $3.50. 000 was allotted
for the organization of a commission to
care for the proper preparation and in
sta1latf0n of American exhibits and for
the display of suitable exhibits by the
several executive departments, partic-
ularly by the department of agricul-
ture, the fish commission and the
Smithsonian institution, in the repre-
sentation of the United States. Pur-
suant 70 the enactment appointed Mr.
Ferdinand w Peck, of Chicago, com
missioner general with an assistant
commissioner general and secretary.
Mr. Peck at once proceeded TO Paris
where his success in charging the scope
and variety of the United States eX-
hibft has been most gratifying
Notwithstanding the comparatively
limited area of the exposition site-less
than One-half that of the worlds fair
at Chica gO-uhe space assigned TO the
ITnited States has been Increased from
the absolute allotment of 151. 403 square
feet reported by Mr. Handy to some
202. 600 square feet. with corresponding /
augmentation of the field for a truly ar
1iSIiC representation OF the various i'm
pertinent branches OF our cOuntry's
development. Mr.. Peck's report will /
be laid before you In my judgment its 1
recommendations will call for your ear
" consideration. especially as regards /
an increase Of the appropriation to at
least one million dollars in amount so /
that not only may the enlarged space /
be fully taken up by the possible exhi- /
hitiOn in every class, but the prepare !
1iOu and installation be on 50 perfect a /
scale as to rank among the highest IN !
that unparalleled competition OF arts [
tic and inventive production. and thus /
COunteTba lance the disadvantage with /
which we start as compared with other I
countries whose appropriations are on 4
q more generous scale and whose pre- +
parafions are in a state OF much greater I
foryYardness than our own
" here our artisans have the admitted /
genius has Initiated many OF the grander /
discoveries OF these latter days Of the /
our land are as limitless as they are val /
liable 10 supply the worlds needs. IL is our I
TO lead in the march OF human progress /
and not rest content with any secondary /
selves. II is no less due to the great (
French nation. whose duty IL has become
eEaff 800 4Ee me- ~ - 4pe67,ias -
won in the field Of universal Development. /
The commercial arrangement made with /
France on MAJ .. 1SeS. under the pro-
visions OF section of the tariff act of 1897. {
Went into effect on June Z following 1t 4
has relieved a portion Of our export trade /
from serious mbarrassment- Further ne /
E0tiati0ns are now pending under section 1
4 Of the same act. with a view 70 the in /
crease OF trade between the two countries .
10 their mutual advantage. Negotiations
with other governments. in part inter /
rupted by the war with Spain are in /
progress under the provisions of the tar
III act I hope 10 be able TO announce
ff- IA rff1T0
during the present session OF congress