The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-12-03

time.
In the interest Of expanding
South America, efforts have been made
curing the past year to conclude con-
Yentions with the southern republics for
the enlargement of postal facilities. Two
such agreements were signed with Bo-
IiVla on April "a, of which that estab-
fishing the money order system is IN
dergoing certain changes suggested by
the pOStOf1lce department.. a treaty OF
extradition with that country, signed on
the same day, is before the senate.
boundary dispute between Brazil
and Bolivia over the territory of Acre
is in a fair way of friendly adjustment
a protocol signed in December 1899. hav-
ing agreed on a definite frontier and
provided for its demarcation by a joint
commission
Conditions in Brazil have weighed
heavily on our export trade to that
country in marked contrast to the IA
vorable conditions upon which Brazil
ian products are admitted into our mar
kets. Urgent representations have been
made to that government on the sub
ject and some amelioration has been
erected We rely upon the reciprocal
justice and good will of that govern
ment to assure to US a further improve
ment in our commercial relations.
The convention signed May "a, 1897,
for the final settlement Of claims left
In allegiance upon the dissolution Of the
commission of 1893 was at length rati-
supplemental commission has been or
ganized.
1t remains for the congress to appro-
PIRATE for the necessary expenses of the
commission.
The insurrectionary movement which
disturbed Colombia in the latter part of
1899 has been practically suppressed, al
though guerillas still operate in some
departments. The executive power of
that republic changed hands in August
last by the act of Vice President Mar
roquin in assuming the reinS of gov
eminent during the absence of Presi-
dent San Clemente from the capital.
The change met with no serious oppo-
sition, and following the precedents in
such cases the United States minister
entered into relations with the new de-
facto government on September II.
It is gratifying to announce that the
residual questions between Costa Rica
and Nicaragua growing out of the
award of President Cleveland in 1888
have been adjusted through the choice
of an American engineer Gen. z. r.
Alexander, as umpire to run the disput-
ed line. His task has been accomplished
to the satisfaction of both contestants.
A revolution in the Dominican repub-
lie toward the close of last year re-
suited in the installation of President
Jiminez, whose government was form
ally recognized in January. Since then
final payment has been made of the
American claim in regard to the Ozama
bridge.
THE PARIS EXPOSITION.
The year of the exposition has been
fruitful in occasions for displaying the
good will that exists between this cOun-
try and France. This great competition
brought together from every nation the
best in natural productions, industry,
science and the arts, submitted in gen.
erouS rivalry to a judgment made all
the more searching because of that riv-
airy. The extraordinary increase of ex-
portations from this country during the
past three years and the activity with
which our inventions and wares had
invaded new markets caused much in
terest to center upon the American ex-
hibit, and every announcement was
offered in the way of space and facili-
ties to permit of its being comprehen-
sive as a whole and complete in every
part.
1t was, however, not an easy task to
assemble exhibits that could fifty illus
trate our diversified resources and man
ufactures. Singularly enough, our ma
tional prosperity lessened the incentive
to exhibit. The dealer in raw materials
knew that the user must come to him;
the great factories We're contented with
the phenomenal demand for their out
put not alone at home, but also abroad,
where merit had already won a profit
able trade
triotism of exhibitors to induce them
to incur OUTLAWS promising no immediate
return. This was especially the case
where it became needful to complete an
industrial sequence or illustrate class
of processes. One manufacturer after
another had to be visited and 1mpOr-
tuned, and at times, after a promise
to exhibit in a particular section had
been obtained it would be withdrawn
owing to pressure Of trade orders, and a
new quest would have to be made.
The installation of exhibits, too, en-
countered many obstacles and involved
unexpected cost. The exposition was
r. OF he IA
opening The French transportation
lines were congested with offered
freight. Belated goods had to be mas
ti1y installed in unfinished quarters with
whatever labor could be obtained in the
prevailing confusion. Nor was the task
of the commission lightened by the
fact that, owing to the scheme OF
classification adopted, 1t was Impossible
to have the entire exhibit of any one
country in the same building or moi e
than one group of exhibits in the same
part of any building. Our installations
were scattered on both sides of the SEINE
and in widely remote suburbs OF Paris,
so that additional assistants were need
ed for the work of supervision and ar
rangement-
tribution of the United States was not
only the largest foreign display but was
among the earliest in place and the most
orderly in arran cement. Our exhibits
were shown in one hundred and one out
of one hundred and 21 classes, and more
completely covered the entire classifica-
ton than those of any other nation. In
total number they ranked next after
those of France, and the attractive form
in which they were presented secured
general attention.
A criterion of the extent and success of
our participation and of the thorough
ness with which our exhibits were or
ganfzed is seen in the awards granted to
American exhibitors by the interna tonal
jury, namely: Grand prizes 24O; gold
medals 597; silver medals 775; bronze
medals 541. and honorable mentions 322-
2 476 in all, being the greatest total num-
Der given to the exhibit of any exhibit
ing nation, as we'll as the largest num-
Der in each grade. This significant rec
ognition Of merit in competition with
the chosen exhibits of all other nations
and at the hands of juries almost who'll
" made up of representatives of France