The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-04-14
A Visit Equal to a Tour of the
World,
SAYS GENERAL PORTER
Every Government of Any I'M
pOrtance Represented.
United States Will Be Well Paid
For Expenditure.

Paris April 14-At noon today France
opened to the world the crowning eX-
position Of all countries. The most fav-
orabIe weather conditions prevailed ana
innumeIable blight colored domes and
ninarets g11stened in the sunshine. Paris
was early astir with people vending
their way towards the Elysee and in the
direction of the exposition in the hope
OF witnessing the presidential procession
at some part of its journey.
All the public buildings and number
less private houses were decorated with
trophies of flags. chiefly the tri-color.
The neighborhood of the exposition was
especially gay with bunting while most
of the paviIions themselves were sur
mounted with floating banners.
Within the exposition grounds this
morning all was hustle and animation in
a supreme effort to clear away all un-
slightly obstacles in order to leave an
unobstructed road and an external ap-
pearance of completeness to the palaces
for the presidential party in its passage
through the grounds. The finishing
touches We're hastily given the mag
efficient Sale des Fetes. The aspect Of
the exposition has greatly improved
even from that of yesterday although
the installation of exhibits has natural
ly. undergone little advance, the external
effect produced by the incessant labors
of the past two days is already fine and
decidedly picturesque
The unfinished condition of the expo
hi
and perhaps misleading. It must be
horne in mind that this is the only phase
and on its completion within three
weeks or a month from now, the expo
sition viii indisputably be the most at
tractive and magnihcenttyet seen
AMERICANS ARE PROUD.
Americans, especially, are proud of
their display at this worlds fair, for
the United States stands second only
10 France herself in number of exhibit
ors. which treble those of any foreign
country.
The following is a table of exhibitors
which speaks eloquently of American
enterprise: France. 10000; United
States. 1854: Belgium. $500; Germany,
1000; Italy, 1000; Russia, 1.5OO; Scandi-
navia, 1,4OO: Austria, 1000; Great Brit
lea has three times the number Of ex-
hibitors that France had at the worlds
fair in Chicago. She occupies 329 O52
square feet with her Al distinct exhibi-
tion spaces. 80 in main exposition
grounds, IA in the Vincennes annex, in
Guiding the ground covered by our
eagle surmounting the national pavilion.
the Quai d'Orsay.
American enterprise. however. is not
only shown in the size of her represen-
tation but also in the preparedness Of
her installation as compared with that
of most of the other countries and it
can be safely said that but for the di-
latoriness of French workmen and
methods the United States exhibits
would have been exposed in their show
cases to today's visitors. Unfortunate
ly French tardiness has hampered all
American efforts to rush matters.
Thus in most of our show spaces every
thing is prepared the glass cases are
ready to receive exhibits. but the Ameri-
can officials are afraid to display the
valuable articles to the likelihood of dam
age by the clouds Of dust arising from
work on the adjacent embryonic installa-
ton.
AN OBJECT LESSON
The highest testimonial to American
hood comes from Commissioner Picquart
himself. After comparing the state OF
progress of the installation of various
nations, he said to Commissioner General
Peck:
1t is an object lesson to US all to see
the American people work. I thank YOU
for your promputude and the advanced
condition of work in the United States
sections"
General Horace Porter the United
States ambassador. after the inaugural
ceremony said to a representative of the
Associated Press:
The present French exposition will
attract even greater interest than anv
previous effort made in Paris to dis