The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-11-13
EXHIBIT SPACE At PARIS
UNITED STATES HAS MORE GROUND
THAN ANY OTHER NATION.
What Commissioners Peck Accom-
pIished by Persistent Efforts
Room for Our colonies"

NEW YORK. Nov. 12.-Ferdinand w
Peck. commissioner general of the United
States to the Paris exposition who arrived
here to-day, was accompanied by Mrs.
Peck, Miss Airline Peck, L. w. Peck, jr.,
and Master Spalding Peck. Concerning his
mission abroad the commissioner said to-
day: The results obtained are highly graf
flying and beyond expectation. When we
reached Paris we were officially informed
in definite terms that the final allotments
to all nations had been made and that the
United States had it's full proportion, and
that no more space within or outside of the
buildings could be given-the subject was a
sealed book; that we were too late in ask
ing for a site for a national building, as
the entire area that could be devoted to
foreign pavilions had been disposed of. This
was the situation for about a month. Dur
ing that period many influences were
brought to bear and the arrival of Ambas-
sador Cambon from the United States, to-
gether with the return of DelauncyB Belle
vile, in charge of foreign space, brought
about a change which resulted in conces-
sion after concession until we had obtained
an increase in exhibit space Of forty-two
thousand square feet, an addition of % per
cent, besides every other grant we had I'M
dertaken to secure. The United States now
has an area in excess of any foreign ma
ton.
"a site for our national building was as
signed equal in location and size to that
granted Great Britain or Germany. coun-
tries which have the largest areas for their
buildings for a similar purpose, and special
facilities were accorded us in connection
Herewith. We also secured a site for an
agricultural pavilion adjoining the main ag-
riculturaL building. and the United States
section in the latter was relocated so as to
be next the new area A most valuable
space of about 5000 square feet in the heart
of the exposition grounds, adjoining the
manufacturers building, has been granted,
likewise an annex space for forestry con-
tiguous to the forestry building, 5000 square
feet additional in marine transportation and
an annex to this department of 5000 square
feet for the United States Weather Bureau
and special exhibits.
I'VE also asked for place for representa-
ton among the colonies exhibits, which
was finally obtained, though much explana
ton was required 10 convince the officials
that the United States belonged 10 the cat
egOry of the nations possessing colonies.
Besides these Speciuc allotmentS, we nave
secured special concession Tor the opera
ton OF an American passenger train, taclll-
ties for the exhibit of our life-Saving serV-
ice, also for field trials OF agricultural ana
other machinery and various minor conceS-
sions. All of the space IS IN the main eX-
hibition grounds, in the heart OF the city
of Paris. We shall have in addition, our
full proportion in the annex at V1ncennes
which will be a most important part OF the
exposition, being beautifully located and ac-
cessible. Large numbers OF people VIII pc
attracted there by international athletic
sports on land and water. These will be
made a prominent feature.
I'VE, of course gave much consideration
to the site for the proposed Lafayette mon
ument and finally concluded to ask for
place in the historic garden of the Tuileries,
upon the axis of the unrtValed vista which
extends from the Louvre to the Arc de
Triumph The outgoing prime minister M.
BrissOn, agreed to recommend this site TO
the new Ministry.
mo foreign nation has yet allotted to ex-
hibitOrs any space. Commissioners OF all
of them are greatly dissatisfied with the
delay in securing the official diagrams,
which are necessary in order to assign
space; vet the members of our staff have
obtained in their various departments
greater part of the drawings for the United
States sections, and in this, as We'll as in
many other respects, we have received ex-
ceptional consideration. We realized that
the Importance of our country in the eyes
of the world would prove a powerful factor
in the situation, and we have endeavored to
use this fact to the full extent in connec-
ton with what we have accomplished, and
it is to the greatness of our country and
it's present standing that most of the credit
is due for the satisfactory results that have
been obtained. The foundation for our vast
work has been laid at almost opportune
time, following upon our recent conflict,
when the influence of the French govern
ment, in it's relations to the exposition,
could be successfully invoked
Commissioner Peck will start for Wash
ington tomorrow and expects to return to
the city on Tuesday, when he will open
offices and make arrangements for the in
tending exhibitors