Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1900-04-19
PARIS FAIR OPENED.
The International Exposition at the
French Capital lnaugurated.
ALL PARIS GAY WITH BUNTING.
The Min stsr Of Commerce Hands Over
the ExnibliIOn to the Head Of tho
state rhs sp-~cnrs " the
OttciAl.,

stMte-'Ih6 Sp-eChtS u the
OtitciAl,.
Paris, April l6.--By miracle of
energy Paris was able to throw open
Saturday the international exposi
ton. Not only the exhibition reser'
walton but all Paris was gay with
bunting and the flags of all nations.
At the Sale DIES Fetes, at the farthest
extremity of the Champs de Mars,
where the Inauguration ceremony
took place, there was a splendid
scene when President LOubet arrived,
escorted by VI. Millerand, the French
minister of commerce.; NJ. Picard, thu
commissioner general of the EXPOSE
ton, and the chief officials. Besides
these the members of the diplomatic
corps, senator's and deputies, there
were present $4,000 other invited
guests. The wives and friends of high
funciionares occupied seats in spe-
cial galleries. In the same places
there was Il great chorus which began
singing the "Marseillaise' as Presi-
dent Loubet entered the building.
Then followed the formal handing
over of the exhibition to the head Of
the state by NJ Millerand. Addressing
President Loubet, the minister of
commerce, NJ. Millerand, who, as Is
well knoXn, is a socialist, dealt large
ly in generalities. He compimented
Commissioner General Picard and his
staff on the successful issue of their
labors. He thanked the representa-
tives of foreign governments for the
cooperation Of their countries, which,
he declared, had made 1t possible for
a visitor to the exposition to really
make a tour of the world in few
minutes. He spoke eloquently Of the
various races of mankind as one
brotherhood. He eulogized the mar
velous economic revolution which Ind
produced steam and electricity and
was gradually BUSTING flesh and blood
Machinery, he said was destined 10
become the queen of the world.
In reply President Loubet said:
"In converting the governments and
people of the world to make with us
Il synthesis of human handiwOrk, the
French republic has thought not only
of assembling here the visible marveis
of the earth and renewing on the bor-
ders of the Seine the courtesy, hos.
pitality and elegance of early renown.
Our ambition is higher. France
wished to make a brilliant contribu-
ton to the cause of concord among
the nations. She has striven consci-
entiously for the good of the world
at the end of this noble century. in
which, alas, the victory over error and
hate is not complete, but which leaves
us n living faith in human progress
and the institutions OF, social economy
which here occupy large scale.
They will stamp this exposition with
special character by making known
TO us what each state is doing to per-
feet the art Of living in society, They
will make the 1900 exposition a great
school of mutual instruction,
Gentlemen, this harmonious work
of peace and progress, however evanes-
cent its decorations, will not have
been in vain, am convinced that -.
thanks to the constant reiteraton Of
certain generous thoughts which have
been with the eXpiring century re-
echoed the twentieth century viii
see outshinng somewhat more Of
brotherhood, over fewer miseries Of
all kinds, and ere long we shall have
advanced an important step, though
the labor is slow. in our progress to-
ward the happiness of humanity.
Under these auspices, and with this
hope, declare The exposition of 1900
open"
Glorious weather favored the OPEN
ing of the exposition to the general
public yesterday and immense crowds
hocked into the grounds. The area
of the exhibition, however, is so
great that nowhere was there any
crush, The visitors were mainly COM
posed of provincials and foreigners.
Comparatively few Parisians were to
be seen, Aware of the great back
wardness of the preparations, they
remained away for the most part.
There were absolutely no attractions
provided, not even band of music,
and the people promcnaded in front
of the empty and in many eases I'M
finished buildings, and along roads
where only in the case of the main
avenues had the work of paving been
completed.
The American national pavilion re-
NAMED closed. So also did most OF
the other pavilions, for the excellent
reason that their interiors are still
unfinished.
-
Banquet at the Elvsee Palace,
Paris, April 1.-THE first of the Sc
ries Of official fetes to be giyen in