Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-11-04
Already Counting the Profits of the
Paris Exposition.
SHARP TRICK PLAYED ON GERMANY
VIII Be a Great Success From
Every Point of View
ELABORATE PREPARATIONS
Special Correspondence of The Evening Star.

PARIS, October q, 1859.
France, which has not yet been revenged
for the loss of Alsace-Lorraine, is now con-
graduating herself on her good fortune in
preventing Germany from acquiring net
gain of $1SO,CNO,0O0, and is looking forward
to the agreeable prospect of putting this
vast sum into her own pockets next year
All this is the result of a shrewd stroke of
business enterprise which is known to few
persons in Germany, and probably to no.
body else outside of France
The bit of secret history about to be d.
vulged is interesting not merely because it
reveals the mysterious origin of the Expo
sition Universelle of 1900, but also because
1t throws a new light on the modern French
character With all his weakness for senti-
ment the Frenchman Of today is seen in
this light to be an intensely practica. man
of affairs He is terribly concerned about
the honor Of the army and the integrity of
ia patrie." But he is no less terribly in
earnest in his attention to the main chance.
And the manner in which he has euchred
Germany out of an enormous sum proves
that he can be clever as well earnest,
successful well attentive.
Germany's Great Plan.
This story of business acumen and energy,
which would be creditable to the most in
scL44OuS <AilcA4CdL ID li4al III cSllS dAlei ZIG
Paris exposition of 1889 Emperor William
determined to open the new century with
an exposition in Berin-an exposition which
should surpass the approaching worlds
fair in Chicago. as well as all others in the
past; which should p ace Germany in the
forefront Of the nations in her patronage
OF the arts and sciences, as well as of the
Industries of peace and the potentialities of
war. He preached the matter to his minis
tiers. who. of course. favored the plan en-
thuslasticaly. The municipal authorities
o. Berlin at once saw its advantages and
promptly agreed to furnish their proportion
OF the cost. The only opposition came from
one OF two of the sOveTeigns of German
states. who. still Jealous Of the ascendancy
of Prussia in what they persist in regard
ing as a confederation rather than as an
empire, were not disposed to push the
project forward.
But still ii was progressing. in spite OF
that. and matters had even gone so far as
a discussion of various possible sites for
the exposition, when, on July 13, 1892 the
French chamber of deputies, without any
warning, passed bill providing for a uni
Yersal exposition in Paris in 1890.
Stolen March Ends All.
or course. this put an end to Emperor
Williams plans. for he could not proceed
with them and announce a rival exposition
In Berline without placing himself in the
position before the world of dealing an
rncalled for blow to France. Even aside
from this consideration, with two interna-
dCnal eXpositions in competition, neither
could possibly succeed. The only thing he
could do was TO ask France to abandon her
pans And this he might have done had
he known the truth, which was that France
lad no definite idea of holding an EXPOSE
ton in 1900 until by chance one Of her
agents penetrated the secrecy under cover
Of which all the kaiser's steps had been
taken The news Travelled to Paris at once
A cabinet conference was hurriedly called
and the very next day the bill for the ex-
position Of 1900 passed the chamber and be-
came law. Not long afterward, however
the facts did come to Emperor williams
knowledge Whatever he may have thought
hs Is. determined to make the best of the
situation Consequently Germany's exhibit
In Paris next year will be among the most
extensive, if not the largest.
But Berlin and Germany will not pocket
the S2DOo00D0 which Frenchmen estimate
that foreigners will leave in France next
year The estimate is based upon the fact
that foreigners spent $50 900 In Paris
In 1889. to say nothing of the 500 600 900
spent by provincial Frenchmen. II IT is
reasonably accurate it means that there
will be profit in the exposition venture
OF Slo0,OOO.OoO to the French nation for the
total outlay Will not exceed $40 600 900. or
about the same as the cost of the Chicago
exposition
How Money Was Raised.
This sum has not teen contributed with
cut hope of reward by philosophical citi-
Gems of Paris. 1t has been raised by an
Issue of 3.250.000 observation-disclosures tickets.
each having face value of 81. From
this source 100000 were derived, or, to