The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-04-01
SHALL THEY OPEN SUNDAY7
AMERICAN AND british SECTIONS
AT PARIS EXPOSITION.

Important Question That Is Now En-
gaEinE the Attention of the COM
misSioncrs-There Is Much ReIsg-
iOus Sentiment Against II, Though
Sunday Is Public Holiday In
France-TroubIes of the Ministry.
Monument 10 Lafayette.
Copyright, 1900, by the Associated Press.y
Paris, March 31.-The important ques-
ton whether the American and British
section of the exposition shall be open
Sundays loomed up this week, engaging
the serious attention of both the Ameri-
can and British commissioners on whom
pressure is being brought to bear by sec-
tions of their respective countrymen to
close their exhibits.
United States Commissioner General
Peoks mail has brought big batch Of
protests on the subject, based chiefly upon
religious scrupes, and the commissioner
finds himself upon the horns of dilem-
ma, as the closure of the American sec-
ton upon what viii be the most popular
visiting day of the week certainly will not
meet with favor from Frenchmen
The British commissioner has received
an official intimation from his governmenE
to go as far as possible toward concilla-
ting the religious feeling ont he subject
The American commission intend to closa
their bureaus on the Sabbath and MIR.
Peck Will consult with the French author
tiles with a view of coming to some ar
rangement which will reconcile the sus-
capabilities of his own countrymen with
the French expectations and with the GUS
tom here, which makes Sunday a publlc
holiday.
Can DO as They See Fit.
A representative of the Associated Press
saw the French exposition authorities in
regard to closing the American section ON
the Sabbath and was told on behalf OF
Commissioner General Pickard that tha
United States would be quite within their
rights in closing their exhibits, but that it
would be regarded as very unfortunate
decision. Sunday, he was informed, was
always the greatest day Of the week and
the shutting up of the American buildings
would debar hundreds of thousands from
viewing what will undoubtedly be one OF
the most interesting and important exhib-
| its.
United states Ambassador Porter Vent
| through the American section on Thurs
| day, and he afterwards expressed himself
! as extremely satisfied with the state OF
| progress as compared with the represen-
| tations of other countries. He heard Moth
| ing but praise from Frenchmen regard
/
American buildings.
The political interest of the week CEN
tered around the debate In the Chamber
of Deputies on the Interpolation regard
| ing the troubles in the island of Marti~
nique, I'm which the government, after
| having successfully repelled last weeks
| assaults had one of the narrowest eS-
capes in its experience. The character
of the debate, however, had the result
of shaking confidence in the position OF
l e. aFaA tB.s
air since has been fun of rumors of an
| other determined attack by the opposi-
tion, which, If successful, will bring NJ.
Sarrien into power as premier of mod
crate radical ministry.
The Lafayette Monument.
1t is now settled that Archbishop Ire-
| land will deliver the dedicatory address
at the unveling of the Lafayette monu-
ment on July L. The address will ba
spoken in French and will be non-relig-
| ious in character. Ambassador Porter
| will act as president and the other Amer
| lean ambassadors in Europe as vice
| presidents. Commissioner General Peck
| will make the address of presentation to
| France; Mr.. Frank j. Thompson, secre-
| tary of the Lafayette Monument Conn
! mittee to the Exposition, will speak ON
| behalf of the school children, and the
! monument will be unveiled by forty-seven
! American girls, who will pull tri-colored
| cords simultaneously.
A member of the French Aero Club has
offered prize of 10000 francs for an in
| ternational competition to solve the ball
| loon steering problem. The prize must be
won within five years, during which period
| three thousand francs annually will be
distributed to competitors towards defray-
ing the expenses of their experiments.
| Ambassador Porter denies emphatically
the report published In America that his
! daughter is engaged to be married to
| French duke, and adds that she has never
| either seen or heard of the gentlemau
mentioned.