Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-05-04
The Paris Exposition.
the Editor of The Evening Star:

To the Editor OF The Evening Star:
| The recent report that Congress would
not vote for appropriation for eX-
| hibit at the Paris exposition of 1900 be-
| cause of the alleged unfriendiy attitude OF
| the French nation in connection with the
| war with Spain is creating much discussion
| throughout the land. The emphatic denial
| in yesterdays Star, however, by Mr. Gal
| liza Cwho may be termed the advance agent
| of the eXposition) that the French govern
ment is unfriendly to the United States,
and that this impression is due to yellow
| Journalism, is worthy of the highest con-
Sideratlon.
The absence of any official action on the
part of France should put such erroneous
ideas to rest But even in such an improll-
able event as open sympathy for Spain.
1t would only be natural. both from their
geographical and sentimental relations.
But whether friendly unfriendly, we
must place an exhibit at Paris that will be
second to none.
For this great government to remain
aioof from such an international trades
show would be well nigh committing COM
mercial suicide, SO far as our foreign BUSH
Tess is concerned. Nothing would please
Germany. England and others of our bust
ness rivals better than American non-rep-
resentation. Would they not then have the
field open to themselves? There is no get
ting over the fact that international jeaI-
ousy of Americas wonderful success in
commercial progress is so rife that all sorts
or means may be employed to force Amer
lea out of the worlds markets.
me present alleged attitude of France
affords golden opportunity May 1t not.
therefore. be within the bounds of reason
to assert that these frantic efforts to de-
feat an appropriation for representation
are the work of our foreign commercial en-
emies? We must be represented at the
iaris exposition. Being aan International
trades fair. it would do us incaIcuIabIa
damage even as nation polite to absent
ourselves from such a monster advertise
ment.
Our present war makes us the people and
nation OF the hour. 1t therefore behooyes
us to demonstrate in substantial manner
what we are capable of besides warfare
This can only be accomplished through n
superb representation. Then, again, ad-
uniting that the war may be prolonged a
trihe. we may, indeed. require much adyer-
Using and booming to regain our lost pres
tige as commercials. which will to a large
extent nave devolved upon the other coun-
tries now making such tremendous fight
for our prizes
Mighty as We are as nation, our traffic
with the foreigner Is not record -brea kinp
s asast year our exports all told were some
aO0o0.O0O-an immense sum- indeed. RrIt
when It Is considered that of this amount
fufly $6O0,OOO.OO0 was for breadstuffs cot.
ton, cattle and other agricultural products
the manufacturing prospects do not shine so
brightly. There is a wide field for orr
manufactured goods abroad
With all our inventive genius to perfect
machinery and unlimited natural re-
sources to draw from We should be able TO
compete with the world on the same If
not lower, terms. A case in point: TOYS
watches. jewelry. books, etc, of which we
now export less than 81 600, OGO each. should
be trebled. While the Krupps. Armstrongs
ana others have an International reputa-
tion, our steel foundries. fully capable of
supplying the world. are just beginning to
secure foothold on foreign SOIL
There is no earthly reason why our ex-
ports should hot reach $1.00O. OOO. 900 and
over annually and still have the home
markets oyerstocked. But this can only
ne accomplished through judicious interna-
tional advertising
May 2, 1898. GUS. A. Se,tIJrI.DF