New-York tribune., 1900-05-13
AMERICA AT THE FAIR.
FORMAL INAUGURATION OF THE Ma
TIONAL PAVILION.
THRONGs TOO GREAT TO FIND ADMIT
TANCE-AN INTERESTING CEREMONY.

Paris, May l2.-The American Pavilion at the Ex'
position formally turned over to the authoritea
and public this afternoon. The inauguration toch
place In the presence of Embassy and Consulate
officials, a number of high French functionaries
foreign diplomats and Commissioners and such
concourse of American citizens that many VINO
were provided with tickets were unable to gain
admittance to the building.
French Municipal Guards and policemen formed
a Gordon around the building. keeping the space in
front OF the main entrance the embankment OF
the Seine for the passage of the official party
The crowd assembled mainly on the terrace around
the building facing the river. on which special
platform had been erected for sousa's Band. Be
fore the hour set for the ceremony the crowd be-
dense that orders were given to the police
keep the people at a respectful distance from
the doors The French officers adhered so strictly
to the letter of their instructions that even guests
holding invitation tickets were not allowed to pass
Considerable confusion resulted from this cause
and the United States Ambassador General Horace
Porter, with his party. found their passage barred
until official, perceiving him from the building
hastened to him, and the Ambassadors party
scrambled through. The arrangements for handling
the crowd were very unsatisfactory, and many
gave up the effort to enter.
The interior of the pavilion was brightly deco
rated with American flags and tricolor bunting.
with which the balconies draped, while from
the summit of the dome around the golden eagle
flew the Stars and Stripes and the French flag
The balconies occupied exclusively by invited
guests while on the floor of the building a double
l'ne of American guards, with white summer he'll
NETS. formed aisle through which the official
party passed from the main entrance to the spot
where the presentation took place. Behind these
guards Americans who gained admission stood and
witnessed the proceedings.
CEREMONIES SIMPLE BUT EFFECTIVE
The ceremony of transferring the pavilion was
quite simple, consisting of address by Ferdinand
w Peck, Commissioner of the United States, hand
ing the pavilion to Alfred Picard, as the head
of the Exposition, and the latter's response in ac-
cepting the transfer.
Americans began arriving at the pavilion shortly
after luncheon and the scene during the interval
preceding the opening ceremony resembled smart
social gathering. Mr. Peck reached the pavilion
about o'clock to await the arrival of M. Picard
who, escorted by b. D. Woodward, Assistant United
States Commissioner. entered the Exposition gate
at the Invalides Bridge at 2:30 o'clock and pro-
ceeded Immediately along the Quai dOrsay to the
entrance of the American building. After brief
glance the equestrian statue of Washington
which guards the portals of the American Pavilion
NJ. Picard ascended the steps leading TO the door
Here Mr. Peck stood surrounded by the members
of the United States Commission, and as he vel
coined the French Commissioner General Sousa's
Band struck up the "Marseillaise All the spec
tators at once uncovered, and amid the strains Of
the French hymn NJ. Picard conducted by Mr..
Peck to the centre of the rotunda. The audience
greeted the conclusion of the air with cheers which
NJ. Picard acknowledged.
COMMISSIONER PECK'S SPEECH.
No time lost In proceeding with the cere-
mony. Addressing NJ. Picard. Mr. Peck said;
The great Nation which 1 have the honor to rep
resent has by your suffrance planted this building
upon the soil of our sister republic. France. we
structure upon the Rue des Nations. an interna-
tiopal avenue destined TO become the most FAMED
stion for these homes of the peoples of the world.
standing by the side OF one another VIII promote promote
n a rVe
exist between the nations of the earth. We have
ona ana as Pa OF it yGsF IS my duty
and great pleasure to transfer to you as the execu-
the gift of nation gladly uniting with other na-
tons in bringing to FRANCE its resources and prod
happily inaugurated.
Mr.. Peck here presented to NJ Picard gold key
and pendant representing the pavilion, as souve-
mir, and concluded with the words:
/ know my countrymen will join me in the senti-
ment: "yve lie Commlssaire- General Picard! Vive
lie Exposition UniverseIle de 1900, Vive la France'
NJ. PICARD REPLIES.
NJ Picard replied:
1t is for for me yeritable good fortune m an and at the
of the United States my most cordial congratula-
constructed on the banks of the Seine, and which
we inaugurate to-day, appears to me not only
superb monument raised to the time honored
be Faithful Interpreter of the sentiments , of my
fellow-citizens in thanking the powerful Republic
given to the invitation of the French Republic
and admirable participation d In the work york Of concord
teenth century.
In expressing his thanks for Mr.. Peck's souvenir
of the occasion NJ. Picard said:
1t constitutes new pledge of the prestige of your
Soluble bond CONNECTING the United states and
France Gentesmen item ask you to salute the starry
with those of the tricolor. Long live the United
Of dKnar M live ta their
and its head, Mr. Peck.
The question of the Sunday opening of the Amer
lean pavilion and section at the Exposition had
barely been settled when the temperance advo-
Gates lifted their voices against the sale of liquor
in the cafe of the American pavilion The base
ments of all the pavilions the famous Rue
des Nations, where erected the official buildings
of the foreign nations occupied by restaurants
and cafes. in which served dishes and bever-
ages Characteristic of the respective countries
The establishments look the Seine, and the
terraces in front are becoming popular rendezvous
for the foreign visitors who gather their several
pavions The American Prohibitionists feel very
strongly the matter of allowing the sale of
liquor in the American cafe, which forms part
of their National pavilion. The open letter column
of The Paris Herald offered arena for a
wordy warfare between the opponents of and the
sympathizers with the sale of liquor, which has
been highly interesting to Parisians, who utterly
fail 10 comprehend how such subject could form
topic of discussion. At the headquarters of the
American Commission II is explained that those
who have been vehementy assaultng the idea of
American bar acting under false impress
sions bar is be located there The CATS
will be such as is found in all American cities Dis
tnctive American food be had there, and
American beverages will be served to those dining
THE SUNDAY QUESTION.
The Sunday question has popped up again In ath-
letics. Many of the most important international