New-York tribune., 1900-11-13
CLOSE OF THE EXPOSITION
REMOVING EXHIBITS FROM THE
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES OF THE
BUILDINGS.

Paris. Nov. 12.-The Exposition closed to-day
with the evening Illumination. Five tickets were
charged for admission. There were few visitors
in the daytime, tickets lacking purchasers at
each.
The work of removing the exhibits can begin
after midnight. No vestige will be left OF the
great Exposition, except the immense hothouses
on the north bank Of the Seine and the art
palaces. The Prefect of the Seine submitted to
the Municipal Council to-day a scheme TO de-
molish all the buildings the Champs de Mars
and Trocadero. The centre of the grounds will
be maintained in the form of gardens, for the
establishment of the city, while the wide border
will be sold for building lots for the erection OF
mansions and hotels. The State is asked TO
abandon its right to the site for future
positions.
The booming of cannon from the first story
of the Eiffe Tower announced that the Exposi-
ton Of 1900 had ceased to exist It ended in a
blaze OF illumination. the final evening being
celebrated by a night fete The attendance.
however. was small, visitors being kept away
by a cold. drizzling rainfall.
The wisdom of the authorities in refusing TO
prolong the Exposition further. as was warmly
urged in many quarters a little time ago, was
vindicated to-day by examination of the
buildings Many were found to be in a lament
able condition. even the official structures lack
ing much of the original stucco and paint, while
several foreign pavlions, chiefly Of plaster con
struction. demonstrate the fimsy character of
work that is unequal to battling with autumn
winds and humidity to say nothing OF winter
storms The idea of their permanent retention
is absurd.
Official statistics show that the Exposition
was a gigantic success from the point OF view
of attendance, which was double that Of the Ex-
~ he
gates When the gates of the Exposition of 1900
closed this evening more than 5O0o00n persons
had passed through. The British and the Bel
gians headed the list in 1889 in point Of num-
bers but this year the Germans were first and
the Belgian; second. with the British far be-
hind. Americans also formed a noticeable con-
tngent Indeed. they were irlnleasura5ly more
numerous than at the previous Exposition The
record paying day this year brought cut more
than 100000 visitors. compared with a maxi
mum of 3::5 3II in 1883
This evening tickets which had brought a sou
in the afternoon were sold at the rate of five for
a sou A curious scene was witnessed at the
Exposition gates shortly before o'clock, when
the authorized ticket bureau, which earlier in
the day had been selling tickets for two sous, re-
duccd the price to one The street hawkecs
indignant at this, attached cards 10 their coats
inscribed, Give You a Ticket for Nothing" For
a time collisions between the street hawkars and
the employees Of the Exposition. seemed likely
to result but the police nterfered and averted
trouble.
NJ. Hanotaux. former Minister of Foreign At
fairs, in an article entitled The Balance Sheet
of the Exposition says;
France expended 2n00OnO0O or 500 1000 GNO
francs TO erect the Exposition. She has recovered
them easily in the increase f tiz laur' receipts,
which for this year alone is neet-y lH.WpOO
francs; in the surplus of Paris CctrCi duties
in the monuments remaining to the State or the
city. and in the quays. bridges and improved
transportation facilities bequeathed by the Ex-
position. Moreover, there has been general
toilet Of the city, which has COntrb ted TO its
hriIlance and beauty.
The closing days of the Exposition have been
marked by wholesale baiIif seizures Of the prop
critics of number OF concession holders chiefly
restaurant keepers and proprietors OF side shows
who have failed to meet their financial cbliga-
tions.
The Exposition authorities contract for II
demolition Of the American Pavilion provides
for its disappearance at an early period Work
will he begun almost Immediately and Commits
sioner-General Peck has arranged with the rail-
read company 10 provide for the rapid traIspor-
tation to Havre of the National exhibits for
shipping board the United States auxiliary
cruiser Prairie, which is expected to arrive there
shortly.
The railroad company will place several cars
the United States Commissions disposal All
the fittings, etc. Of the American constructions
viii be sold auction as soon possible Low
prices will be realized. The handsome facades.
which cost large sums originally, will tetch
very little money The bids thus far received
are insignificant. The American building OF the
machinery annex at Nincennes built owing 10
the generosity OF a few American exhibitors. has
been sold with its power plant, to a Manchester
firm.
All the members of the United States Com
mission are anxious to return home They are
working hard aid hope their labors VIII De
terminated by December Is in order 10 enable
them TO spend Christmas in America. Mr Peck
is so confident of being able TO do so that ne mas
engaged passage for himself and family on the
American Lire steamer 81. Louis. Whlch VIII
sail December II.
The closing of the Exposition was celebrated
in the Chamber of Deputies this afternoon py
the unanimous adoption of a motion Of Nj. Ger
Vile Reach1. Republican, representing one OF
the divisions Of the Island of Guadeloupe, con-
graduating the organizers and collaborators on
its success