The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-12-04

lHiO our markets. 4p-
reservations have been made t, Ezr y
ernment on rhe subject and som, do
ration has been effected. We ref upon
the reciprocal justice and good will of that
government to assure to us further i'm
provement IN our commercial relations.
The convention signed May "a, 1897, for
the final settlement of claims left in abey-
ance upon the dissolution OF the commits
sion of 1893. was at length ratified by
the Chilean Congress and the supple
mental commission has been organized.
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, all
though guerrillas still operate in some
departments. The executive power OF that
republic changed hands in August last
by the act of Vice President Marroquin
in assuming the reins of government dur
ing the absence of President San Glenn
ente from the capital. The change met
with no serious opposition, and, follow
ing the precedents in such cases. the
United States minister entered into rela-
tions with the new de facto government
on September nth.
1t is gratifying TO announce that the
residual questions between Costa Rica and
Nicaragua growing out of the award OF
President Cleveland in 1883 have been
adjusted through the choice of an Ameri-
can engineer, General E. p. Alexander,
as umpire to run the disputed line. His
task has been accomplished to the salts
faction os both contestants.
A revolution in the Dominican Republic
toward the close of last year resulted
in the installation of President Jimenez,
whose government was formally recog-
nized in January. Since then final pay
ment 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 gem
erous rivalry to a judgment made all the
more searching because of that rivalry.
The extraordinary increase of exporta-
tions from this country during the past
our inventions and wares had invaded new
markets caused much interest to center
upon the American exhibit. and every
encouragement was offered in the way
of space and facilities to permit of its
being comprehensive as whole and COM
plete IN every part.
1t was however, not an easy task to
assemble exhibits that could fitly illus
fad ms
factures Singularly enough, our national
prosperity lessened the incentive to ex-
hibit. 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 output, not
alone at home. but also abroad where
merit had already won profitable trade.
Appeals had to be made to the patriot
ism of exhibitors to induce them to incur
outlays promising no immediate return.
This was especially the case where 1t
became needful to complete an indus
trial sequence or illustrate class of
processes. One manufacturer after an
other had to be visited and importuned.
and at times. after a promise to exhibit
in a particular section had been obtained,
it would be withdrawn, owing to pressure
have to be made
The installation of exhibits. too. en-
countered many obstacles and involved
unexpected cost. The exposition was far
from ready at the date fixed for its open
ing. The French transportation lines
were congested with offered freight. Be-
iated goods had to be hastily installed in
unfinished quarters with whatever labor
could be obtained in the prevailing con-
fusion. Nor was the task Of the commits
sion 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 more than one group Of exhibits in
the same part of any building. Our in
stalatons were scattered on both sides
of the Seine and in widely remote suburbs
of Paris, so that additional assistants
we're needed for the work of supervision
and arrangement.
Despite all these drawbacks the con-
tribution of the United States was not
only the largest foreign display, but was
among the earliest in place and the most
orderly in arrangement Our exhibits
were shown in one hundred and one out
of one hundred and twenty-one classes,
and more completely covered the entlre
classification than those of any other ma
ton. In total number they ranked next
after those of France. and the attractive
form IN which they were presented Sc
cured general attention.
criterion Of the extent and success
of our participation and of the thorough
ness with which our exhibits were or
| ganized is seen in the awards granted
| to American exhibitors by the interna-
tional jury, namely, grand prizes, 24O;
gold medals, 597; silver medals, 776;
bronze medals. SAL, and honorable mem
tions, 322-2476 in ALL being the greatest
total number given to the exhibit OF any
exhibiting nation. as we'll as the largest
number in each grade. This significant
| recognition of merit in competition with
| the chosen exhibits of all other nations
| and at the hands of iuries almost wholly
made up of representatives Of France and
other competing countries is not only most
gratifying, but is especially valuable.
since it sets us to the front in internat-
| ional questions of supply and demand,
while the large proportion of awards In
| the classes of art and artistic manufac-
| tures afforded lnexpected proof of the