New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-04-15
THE WORLDS FAIR.

The inaugural ceremonies of the Worlds Fair
in Paris were held yesterday in an suspicious
manner and with that fine blending of taste and
magnificence which is probably more readily
effected in the French capital than in any other
city 1t is admirably characteristic of the ma
ton that in such things France is always
France. In this case more than common de-
gree of tact was needed TO make the affair pass
of in creditable fashion. 1t was notorious that
the fair was incomplete, and marplot dema-
gogues sought on that ground to make political
capital for themselves at the expense of dis
honoring their country in the eyes of other ma
tons But they reckoned without their host,
their host being one of the strongest and best
Governments the Third Republic has had. The
date of opening was not changed. The invita-
lions TO 1t were not recalled nor dishonored. The
ceremonies Were held in circumstances of i'm
posing splendor and in the presence of vast
and exutant multitude. With wise discretion,
however, the ceremony was made one of inau-
guration and not of public opening. The latter
will be begun to-day in part, and gradually ex-
tended the work Of completion goes on, until
a few weeks hence the whole vast exhibition is
in order when all will be fully open TO the
world
II should not be taken amiss if, amid the
dial congra tulations which offered to France,
the part of Americans upon their share in the
exhibition. Ia most respects the American
ton is more nearly complete than any other in
the whole fair That is as il should be- seeing
that the United States is extending its foreign
trade 10 so large an extent upon the strength Of
its ability TO supply goods more quickly than its
rivals II is we'll as Commissioner Peek has
been quoted as saying 10 make American
promp,ness one of the chief American exhibits.
But that is not all. The American exhibits
occupy foremost place in number and variety.
They are 10 be found in every department Of
the fair. and fill more space than those of any
other nation save France herself. The number
of American exhibitors, also far surpasses that
of any other country save France. There are
more than sixty-five hundred of them, while the
next largest number from one country is only
twenty-five hundred American exhibitors are
in fact. more numerous than those from any
three other countries put together. and three
times as numerous the French exhibitors al
the Chicago Fair. The result will be that the
Paris Fair will seem much like Franco-Ameri-
can exhibition. with the rest of the world taken
il ITO ill UP the chinks" Or at any rate, the
millions who visit the fair who have never Wis
tied America. and who perhaps have only an
inadequate conception of il, will be made TO
realize as never before 10 what a commanding
estate in commerce. industry and arts the United
States has risen.
II is agreeable TO know that such Is the case,
and il is agreeable to know that this fine ex-
ploifation OF American enterprise has been made
in Paris. the City of Worlds Fairs. the metropo-
lis Of cur great sister Republic. and the capital
OF the Power which earliest friend and
ally II has long been jest that good Ameri-
cans when they die go to Paris But II does
rs scant justice. Americans are too wise TO wait
Sc long They go 10 Paris while they still
very much slive. and in the doing so find their
lives made better worth the living. If they go
tlither this year in greater numbers than ever