The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-04-15

across the Sale des Fetes between "A hedge
Of guards with fixed bayonets to the grand
staircase, which the party ascended, the
soldiers lining the steps saIuting. This
was the moment when the climax of en-
thusiasm reached within the hall,
which rang with shouts of give Loubet"
On reaching the summit of the stairway
President Loubet gave a last look at the I
scenes about him and then entered the
saloon Of HONOR where the ceremony of
presentation of commissioners of foreign
nations was gone through.
This saloon is the locale of the Ameri-
can electrical exhibit, and here a body
Of fifty American guards was drawn up.
The guards made very fine appearance
in navy blue uniform, with silver and
white helmets and wearing an American
shield on the collar of the tunic. They
saluted President Loubet and he acknowl-
edged their greeting, while NJ. De Laune de
Vile, director general, turned to United
States Commissioner Peck and thanked him
for the advanced condition of their ex-
hibt.
The presidential cortege then went into
the grounds, emerging into the Champs
de Mars at the Chateau d'Eau, and the
picture from this point up through the
Eiffel tower to the colonial section with
the Palace Trocadero towering up in the
background in a semi-circle, was one of
the finest in the whole tour. The splendid
exhibition buildings on either side were
abundantly decorated with bunting and
flowers. A double rank of infantry ranged
along each flank, leaving a broad passage
between, through which the procession
marched. Behind these rows of red trous-
cred soldiers with fixed bayonets was
massed the great crowds of people, and
President Loubet found no cause to re-
proach them for lulxewarmness. He was
cheered throughout the progress to the
bridge dIena, where luxuriously uphol-
stored river steamboats, were waiting to
embark the party for the trip up the Seine
to Alexander bridge.
MANY DRESSES RUINED.
vast throng which tried to reach the
Champs de Mars in advance of the presi-
Dental party by passing through on the
ground floor Of the agricultural hall found
it discouraging task. Piles of plaster.
blockades of timber and untitled excava-
tions confronted them everywhere. Over
these they climbed, almost suffocating
from the dust. Handsomely gowned women
in spring attire braved the difficulties, but
only at the cost of practically running ex-
pensive costumes. This is only an exam
pie of the incomplete condition of the in
teriors of most of the structures, which
must undergo a months serious labor be-
fore the public can find the exhibits in
place and view them with comfort and
without sacrifice to wearing apparel
President Loubet and the foreign COM
| missioners entered the first barge at the
| bridge dIena, and the encourage followed
in the other four. A detachment of Rus
sian sailors, on invitation of the French
| military authorities. lined up on the river
side in front of the army and navy build
ing and gave a salute as President Loubet
passed in the steamer. The President
bowed in response and the fotilla pro-
ceeded, President Loubet passing compli-
mentary remarks on several of the ma
tional pavilions. which were artistically
adorned with flag5r and flowers. '----------
I Reaching the American pavilion, the stars
and stripes were dipped from the flagstaff.
| and two American marines, stationed one
on each side of the Washington statue,
| waved a tricolor. while the crowd of Amer
| of the pavilion gave President Loubet
| ringing cheer. The President was greatly
/ pleased at this little courtesy, and turning
| TO Ambassador Porter. who was beside him
on the boat. he remarked: "The American
always does right: this is a magnificent
| building"
THE AMERICAN PAVILION.
To many visiting Americans, however,
| our national pavilion is a distinct disap-
rointment. 1t is pretentious, almost over
| powering, with it's big dome and startling
| frescoes over the entrance, but it compares
unfavorably with the beautiful buildings of
even smaller powers like Italy, Spain and
| Austria, which are its neighbors along the
Seine.
The boats reached Alexander bridge,
where the party landed They traversed
the bridge after admiring the vista up the
esplanade of the Hotel des Invalides in one
direction and through the new Avenue
Nicholas III in the other. Along the latter
the President proceeded until he reached
the Champ Elysees, where the party en-
tered carriages, and, escorted by curias-
seurs, drove back to the Elysee, loudly
cheered by the assembled thousands.
Tonight Paris glows with myriads of
decorative lights, which shine from public
| buildings, the exposition structures and the
boulevard resorts. Thousands of sightseers
are riding through the thoroughfares or
walking along the boulevards enjoying the
perfect spring evening. Itinerant bands
| add music to the festivities, while fakirs
amuse the crowds gathered in front of the
restaurants.
The cafes within the exposition grounds,
| which are barred TO the public until to-
morrow, present scenes brilliant and attrac-
tive. Most of the buildings have row
| of lights running about the friezes, which
| bring into splendid view artistic bas reliefs,
statuary and other effective art designs
with which they are decorated. 1t was long
past midnight when the masses turned their
| faces homeward. the day and the evening
having been spent as Parisians enjoy fetes.
INATGURAI. CEREMONIES.