The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-12-07

The installation or exhibits, toe, en-
countered many obstacles and involved
unexpected cost The exposition was
far from ready at the date fixed for its
opening. The French transportation
lines were congested with offered
freight. Belated goods had to be hast
lily installed in unfinished quarters with
whatever labor could be obtained IN
the prevailing confusion Nor was the
task of the commission lightened by
the fact that. owing 10 the scheme Of
classification adopted. it was impossi-
BILE to have the entire exhibit OF any
N country in the same building or
more than n group Of EXHIBITS In the
same part Of any building. Our install
lations were scattered on both sides OF
the Seine and in widely remote suburbs
of Paris. so that additional assistants
were needed for h work OF supervi-
sion and arrangement
Despite all these drawbacks the con-
tribution OF the United States was not
only the largest foreign display, but
was among the earliest In place and the
most orderly in arrangement. Our ex-
hibits were shown in one hundred and
n out of one hundred and twenty
n classes. and more completely COW
cred the entire classification than those
OF. any other nation. In total number
they ranked next after those of France,
and the attractive form in which they
We're presented secured general atten-
ton.
A criterion Of the extent and success
of our participation and OF the thor
oughness with whirh our exhibits were
organized is seen in the awards grant
ed to American exhibitors by the inter
national jury, namely. grand prizes,
240; gold medals, 59I: silver medals,
716; bronze medals, 5I1. and honorable
mentions, 322-2,476 ir all. being the
greatest total number given to the ex-
hibit Of any exhibiting ration, as we'll
as the largest number in each grade.
This significant recognition Of merit in
competition with the chosen exhibits of
all other nations and at the hands Of
juries almost wholly made up of rep
resentatives of France and other COM
peting countries is not only most graft
fying but is especially valuable, since
it sets Us to the front in international
questions Of supply and demand, while
the large proportion Of awards in the
classes of art and artistic manufac-
lures afforded unexpected proof of the
stimulation of national culture by the
prosperity that flows from natural pro-
~ductiveneSS Joined to industrial excel
lence
Apart from the exposition several oc-
caSionS for showing international good
will occurred. The Inauguration in
Paris of the Lafayette monument, pre-
scented by the school children Of the
United States, and the designing of a
commemorative coin by our mint and
the presentation of the first piece
struck to the president Of the republic,
were marked by appropriate ceremo-
mics, and the fourth of July was espe-
cially observed in the French capital.
Our Relations with Germany.
Good will prevails in our relations
with the German empire. An AMIGA
BILE adjustment of the 1ong-pending
question of admission of our life insur-
nee companies to do business in Prus-
STA has been reached. One of the prin-
cipal companies has already been read
mitted INT the way is opened for the
others to share the privileges.
4. The settlement of the Samoan prob
lem, to which I adverted in my last
message, has accomplished good re-
suits. Peace and ontentment prevail
in the islands, especially in Tutuila,
where a convenient administration that
has won the confidence and esteem of
the kindly disposed natives has been
organized under the direction of the
commander of the United States naval
station at Pago-Pago.
An imperial meat-inspection law has
been enaced for Germany. While it
may simplify the inspections, it prohf-
bits certain products heretofore admit
ted. There is still great uncertainty
as ito whether our well-nlgh extln-
guiShed German trade in meat pro-
ducts can revive under it's new bur-
dens. Much will depend upon regula-
tons not yet promulgated, which we
confidently hope will be free from the
determinations which attended the en-
forcement of the old statutes.
The remaining link in the new lines
OF direct Geographic communication
between the United States and the
German empire has recently 1eeu COM
n1atad a ffnrdinC q ore ifyin0 occasion
for exchange of friendly congratulate
tons with the German emperor.
The Transvaal War.
Our friendly relations with Great
Britain continue. The wal in southern
Africa ~odu important questions.
A condition unusual in international
wars was presented in that while one
belligerent had control of the seas, the
other a no ports, shipping, or direct
trade, but was only accessible through
the territory of a neutral. VexatiouS
questions arose through Great Britain's
action in respect to neutral argoe
not in their own nature,
shipped to Portuguese South Africa, On
the score of probable or suspected
mate destination to the Boer states.
Such consignmentS III British ships.
by which alone direct trade is kept up
between our ports and southern Africa,
were seized in application of a munich
pal law prohibiting British vessels
from trading with the enemy without
regard to any c~ontraband character Of
the goods, while cargoes shipped to
Delagoa bay in neutral bottoms We're
arrested on the ground of alleged desti-
nation to enemy's country. Appropri-
ate representations on our art result
ed in the British government agreeing
to purchase outright all such goods
shown to be the actual property of
American citizens, thus closing the in
cident to the satisfaction of the imme-
diately interested parties. although, I'M
fortunately, without a broad settlement
of the question Of a neutral's right 10
send goods not cmtraband per sc to a
neutral port adjacent to a belligerent
area
Canada and Alaska Boundary.
The work of marking certain provi-
siona boundary points, for convenience
of administration, around the head OF
Lynn Canal, in accordance with the
temporary arrangement Of October.
1893, was completed by a joint survey
on July last. The modus vivendi has
ca For u-arIaI Without Friction 4~l <L1