Evening star., 1900-12-03

Conditions In Brazil have weighed heavily
on our export trade to that country in
marked contrast to the favorable condi-
tions upon which Brazilian products are
admitted into our markets Urgent repre-
sentations have been made to that Goveru-
ment on the subject and some amelioration
has been effected. We rely upon the recip-
rocal Justice and good will OF that Govern.
ment to assure to US a further improves
ment in our commercial relations
The Convention signed May "a 1897. for
the final settlement of claims left in abey.
ance upon the dissolution of the Comm!s.
SION of 1893. was at length ratified by the
Chilean Congress and the supplemental
Commission has been organized
1t remains for the Congress to appropriate
for the necessary expenses Of the Commis.
sion.
The insurrectionary movement which dis.
turbed Colombia in the latter part OF 1889
has been practically suppressed, although
guerrilas still operate in some departments.
The executive power of that republic
| changed hands in August last by the act
Of Vice President Marroquin in assuming
the reins Of government during the absencs
of President San Clemente from the capi-
tai. The change met with no serious oppo-
sition, and. following the precedents in
such cases. the United States minister en-
tered into relations with the new de facto
government on September L.
1t Is gratifying TO announce that the re-
| sdual questions between Costa Rica and
Nicaragua growing out of the AwarI Of
President Cleveland in 1855 havl been ad-
justed through the choice of an American
engineer, General +. z. Alexander, rs ur-
pire to run the disputed line His ;as1 has
been accomplished to the satisfaction OF
both contestants.
revolution in the Dominican EepubIic
toward the close of last year resulted IN The
installation of President Jimenez whose
Government was formally recognized in
January. Since then final payment has been
made of the American claim in regard to
the Ozama bridge.
THE PARIS EXPOSITION.
The year of the Exposition fas been
fruitful in occasions for displaying, the good
will that exists between this country and
France. This great competition brought
together from every nation .he bcs: III at
ural productions, industry, science and the
arts, submitted in generous .iTa:'y 10
Judgment made ali the ,aofa searchps be-
cause Of that rivalry. rhe extraordinary
increase Of explorations from this country
during the past three years and the activity
with which our inventions an wares had
invaded new markets caused much interest
to center upon the American exhibit, and
every encouragement was offered in the
way of space and facilities to permit of its
being comprehensive as whole and
plete in every part.
1t was however. not an easy task 20
semble exhibits that could fifty illustrate
our diversified resources aud mal li'ctIres.
Singularly enough, our naipnll prosperity
lessened the incentive to exhibit The ceai-
er in raw materials knew that ;he user
must come to him: the great factories
were contented with the phenomenal de-
mand for their output. not ainna at fom,.
but also abroad. where merit had already
won a profitable trade.
Appeals had to be made to the patriotism
of exhibitors to induce them to incur out
lays promising no immediate return. This
was especially the case where 1t became
needful to complete an industrial sequence
or illustrate a class of processes. One
manufacturer after another had to be WIS.,
tied and importuned. and at times, after a
promise to exhibit in a particular section
had been obtained, 1t would be withdrawn.
owing to pressure of trade orders, and a
new quest would have to be made.
The installation of exhibits. too, encoun-
tered many obstacles and involved unex-
pected cost. The Exposition was far from
ready at the date fixed for its opening.
The French transportation lines were con-
gested with offered freight. Belated goods
had to be hastily installed in unfinished
quarters with whatever labor could be OBJ
tained in the prevailing confusion. Nor
was the task of the Commission Hghtened
by the fact that. owing to the scheme Of
t1,la
have the entire exhibit Of any one country
in the same building or more than one
group of exhibits in the same.part Of any
building Our installations were scattered
on both sides of the Seine and in widely
remote suburbs of Paris. SO that additional
assistants were needed for the work Of
SUPERVISION and arrangement.
Despite all these drawbacks the contribu-
ton 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 exhibits were shown In
one hundred and one out of one hundred
and twenty-one classes, and more complete
ly covered the entire classification than
those of any other nation. In total num-
her they ranked next after those of France.
and the attractive form in which they were
presented secured general attention
A criterion of the extent and success OF
our participation and Of the thoroughness
with which our exhibits were organized is
seen in the awards granted to American
exhibitors by the international jury. name
ly. grand prizes 24O; gold medals, 597; sill
yer medals I76; bronze medals, 81, and
honorable mentions. 322-2,416 in all. being
the greatest total number given to the ex-
hibit of any exhibiting nation. as we'll as
the largest number in each grade. This Sig
nificant recognition of merit In competition
with the chosen exhibits of all other ma
tions and at the hands of juries almost
wholly made up Of representatives OF
France and other competing countries Is not
only most gratifying, but is especially
valuable, since it sets us to the front IN
questions Of supply ana de-
mand, while the large proportion OF awards
in the classes of art and artistic manufac-
lures afforded unexpected proof Oh the
stimulation of national culture by the pros
perity that flows from natural productive
ness Joined to Industrial excellence.
Apart from the Exposition several occa-