The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-04-01
Britons and Americans Appealing TO
Commissioners 10 Cover Exhib-
its on First Day OF the Week.
NO DECISION YET REACHED
FRENCH AUTHORITIES OPPOSED TO
THE CLOSING PROPOSITION.
Debate i'm the Chamber of Deputiex-
Franco-American Dcmonstra-
tiOn at VendOme.

PARIS. March 8.-The important ques-
ton whether the American and British sec
ticns of the exposition shall be open Sun
days doomed up this week, engaging the
serious attention of both the American and
British commissioners. on whom pressure
Is being brought 70 bear by sections of their
respective countrymen to close their exhib-
it's United States Commissioner Peck's
mail has brought big batch of protests on
this subject. based chiefly upon religious
scruples, and the commissioner finds him
self upon the horns of a dilemma, as the
closure Of the American section on what
viii be the most popular visiting day of
the week certainly will not meet with favor
from Frenchmen. The situation was differ
ent in the case OF the Chicago worlds fair,
when the United States, in its own house.
could do as it pleased; but here both the
American and British commissions feel
they are in the position of guests and are
expected to conform to the customs of the
country. The British commissioner has re-
eeived an official intimation from his gov
eminent to go as far as possible toward
conciliating the religious feeling on the sub
5ect. The American commissioner intends
TO close it's bureaus on the Sabbath, and
~N-+-@-NSAO-A(A
with the French authorities with a view OF
coming TO some arrangement which will
reconcile the susceptibilities of his own
countrymen with the French expectations
and with the custom here, which makes
Sunday public holiday.
A representative of the Associated Press
saw the French exposition authorities in
regard to the question of closing the
A
told on behalf of Commissioner General
Pickard that the United States would be
quite within their rights I'm closing their
exhibits, but that it would be regarded as
a 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 un-
doubtedly be one of most interesting and
important exhibits.
United States Ambassador Porter went
through the American section Thursday
IN order to see for himself the exact posi-
tion of affairs; and he afterwards ex-
pressed himself as extremely satisfied with
the state of progress as compared with the
representations of other countries. He
found the only delay now arising is due to
the Hardness of the French railroad COM
panies in forwarding the exhibits. He
heard nothing but praise from Frenchmen
regarding the architectural features of the
American buildings.
The political interest of the week CEN
tered about the debate in the Chamber of
Deputies on the Interpolation regarding
the troubles in the Island of Martinique, in
which the government after having sue
cessfulIy repealed last weeks assaults, had
one of the narrowest escapes IN its expert
ence. The Rightists and many members
Of the Left had evidently resolved to unite
in vote against the government, which,
IN that case, would have been lost, but NJ.
Waldeck-Rousseau. the premier, in a skill
full speech, brought forth maladroit In
tervention from his adversary, NJ. Ribot,
who treated the government as anti-repub-
lican because il depended for its existence
on the support OF the Socialists. This
changed the question from that or the re-
sponsibilities for the Martinique troubles to
a denunciation of socialism, and the sec
ton of Socialists which intended to oppose
the government changed face and rallied
around the Ministry, which action secured
for the government a majority of over
forty votes. The character of the debate,
however, had the result Of shaking conf
- in the position of the Waldeck-Rous-
Cabinet, and the air since has been
rumors of another determined at
" the opposition. which, If success
II bring NJ. Sarrien into power as
Of a moderate Radical Ministry.
speech of NJ. Millerand. minister of
..ITneTce and industry, at the Inaugural
tion Of the exposition. is looked forward TO
with the keenest interest, the opposition
expect him TO introduce some uncalled-for
expression of socialistic principles which
viii give them lever for strong effort to
overthrow the whole Cabinet.
. .
An interesting little Franco-American
demonstration took place this week in the
town of yendome. which forms further
Indication of the way the wind blows here
In favor of America. Vendome is the home
of the Rochambeau family, and subscrip-
ton was recently raised-to which Am
hassador Porter and the members of the
American embassy were invited to con-
tribute-for the erection of a monument to
the Marquis De Rochambeau- The first
stone was laid early in the week, and its
laying was made the occasion of a local
fete- The stars and stripes were flown and
a message OF fraternity was sent to Presi-
cent Mckinley. The committee to-day was
delighted to receive charming reply, say
ing the President was deeply touched by
the sentiments of cordial fraternity for
the United States which the committee ex-
pressed on the occasion of the foundation
of a monument TO lone Of the most Illus
trious of those generous Frenchmen whose
names live in the hearts of all Americans
II is now settled that Archbishop Ireland
will deliver the dedicatory address at the
unwilling of the Lafayette monument on
July 4. The address will be spoken in
French and will be nonreligious in char
acfer Amba sSador Porter will act as the
president. and the other American ambas-
eadors in Europe as vice presidents. Com
missioner General Peck Will make the ad-