The age-herald., 1900-12-04


 one group of exhibits in any one building. Our exhibits were scattered on both sides of the Seine and in widely remote suburbs of Paris, so that additional assistance was needed for the wock of supervision and arrangement Despite all these drawbacks, the contribution of the United States was not only the largest foreign display, but was among the earliest in place and the most ccderly in arrangement. Our exhib- its were shown in one hundred and one out Of one hundred and twenty-one classes, and more completely covered the entire classification than those of any other na- tion. In total number they ranked next after those of France and the attrac ctive form in which they were presented secur- ed general attention. A criterion of the extent and success of our participation and of thorouehne ss with which our exhibits were organized is seen in the awards granted to American exhibitors by the in- ternational jury, namely: grand prizes, AO gold medals 597; silver medals 776; bronze medal, TAI; and honorable mentions, 322,476; in all being the greatest total num- Der given to the exhibit of any nation as well as the largest number in each grade. 1 This significant recognition of merit in competition with the chosen exhibits of all other nations and at the hands of jures almost wholly made up of representative | of France and other competing countries | is not only omst gratifying but is espec- | lally valuable since it sets us to the front 1 in international questions of supply and demand while the large proportion of awards In the classes of art and artistic manufactures afforded unexpected proof of the stimulation of national culture by the prosperity that flows from natural productfveness joined to industrial excel lence.
 Apart from the exposition several occas- ions for showing information goodwill oc- Inc ira1 ,1ra tiot, s,, Dor of l.. Lafayette monument, presented by the school children of the United States and the designing of a commemorative coin by our mint and the presentation of the first piece struck to the President of the Repub- lie were marked by appropriate ceremon- ies, and the Fourth of July was especially observed in the French capitol.
 Relations With Germany
 Goodwill prevails in our relations with tho German empire. An amicable adjust ment of the long pending question of the admission of our life insurance companies to do business in Prussia has been reash- ed. One of the principal companies has already been admitted and the way is opened for the others to share the privl- lege.
 The settlement of the Samoan problem to which l adverted in my last message has accomplished good results. Peace and con- tentment prevail in the islands, especially
 
 tion that has won the confidence and es- teem of the kindly disposed natives has been organized under the direction of the commander of the United States naval station at Pago-Pago.
 An imperial meat inspection law has been enacted for Germany. While it may inn pify inspections, it prohibits certain pro- ducts heretofore admitted. There is still great uncertainty as to whether our we'll nigh extinguished German trade in meat products can revive under it's new burdens Much will depend upon our regulations not yet promulgated which we confidently hope will be free from the disoriminations which attended the enforcement of the old stat utes. The remaining link in the new line of direct telegraphic communication be- tween the United States and the German empire has recently been completed af- fording a gratifying occasion for exchange of friendly congratulations with the Ger man Emperor.
 Relations With Great Britain. Our friendly relations with Great Brit ain continue. The war in South Africa introduced political questions. A condition unusual in international wars was present. ed in that while one belligerent had con- trol of the seas the other had no ports shipping or direct trade, but was only &C., cessible through the territory of a neu- tral power Vexatious questions arose through Great Britain's action ip respect to neutral cargoes not contraband in their own nature shipped to Portugueses, South Africa on the score of probable or sus- pected ultimate destination to the Boer States.
 Such consignments in British ships, by which alone direct trade is kept up be- tween our ports and South Africa were seized in application of a municipal law prohibiting British vessels from trading with the enemy without regard to any contraband character of the goods, while cargoes shipped to Delagoa Bay in neutral bottoms were arrested on the ground of alleged destination to enemy's country Appropriate representations on our part re- suited in the British government agreeing to purchase outright all such goods shown to be the actual property of American cit izens, thus closing the incident to the sat- isfaction of the immediately interested par ties, although unfortunately without broad settlement of the question of neu- tral right to send goods not contraband per sea to neutral port adjacent to a belligerent area.
 The work of marking certain provisional boundary points, for convenience of admin istration, around the head of Lynn canal, in accordance with the temporary arrange ments of October, 1899, was completed by a joint survey in July last. The modus vivendd has so for worked without friction and the dominion government has provided rules and regulations for securing to our
 
 ulation that the citizens subjects of either power found by that arrangement within the temporary Jurisdiction of the other shall suffer no diminution of the rights and privileges they have hitherto enjoyed. But however necessary such an expedient may have been to tide over the grave emergencies of the situation it Is at best but an unsatisfactory makeshift, which should not be suffered to delay the speedy and complete establishment of the frontier line to which We are entitled un- der the Russo-America treaty for the ce- cession of Alaska.
 In this respect I may refer again to the need of definitely marking the Alaskan boundary where 1t follows tine one hun dred and forty-first meridian. A conven- tion to that end has been before the Senate for some two years, but as no action has been taken I contemplate negotiating a new convention for joint determination of the meridian by telegraphic observa- tions. These, it is believed, will give more