The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1900-04-18
All Buildings Except that of the
United States Unfinished
and Untitled.

The large art palace has not yet been
rooted, the central StalrcaSe-one or the
notable architectural features of the
building-s scarcely half finished, and
no exhibits are ready. Even the little
art palace is incomplete, although some
! the art palaces will be open before
May l.
Alexander Bridge Incomplete.
The great Alexander bridge, one of
the chief glories of the exposition, lacks
a large part Of its artistic ornamental
ton.
The esplanade of the invalids' build
ings is still surrounded by scaffolding,
and nothing has been installed in the
interior
Nearly all the foreign pavilions are
ready, and most of their exhibits are in
place.
The exterior of the Palace of the
Armies is far behind, and the facade will
be all that viii be built. The Sale des
Fetes, on the Champ de Mars, is in a
fearful state, few of the buildings being
finished. The Chateau Eau is still in
the preliminary period of its construc-
ton. A better state of affairs exists at
the Trocadero.
Not Ready for Six Weeks.
AT least six weeks will be required be-
details and ready for the enjoyment of
visitors. Owing to the almost herculean
efforts of Commissioner Ferd W. Peck
and his colleagues, the American exhibit
is one of the principal features of the ex-
position ready for the opening day As
a mark of friendship to the United
States, a prominent place has been given
to the American flag at the Champs Ely
sees entrance gate to the exposition.
Within the exposition grounds this
morning all was hustle and animation in
a supreme effort to clear away all un-
slightly obstacles in order to leave an I'M
INSTRUCTED road and an external appear
ance of completeness to the palaces for
the presidential party in its passage
through the grounds. Although the in
stallation of exhibits has naturally I'M
dergone little advance, the external eff
feet produced by the incessant la bors of
the past couple of days is manifest.
The American Exhibits.
Americans especially will be proud of
their country's display at this worlds
fair, for the United States stands second
only to France herself in number of ex-
hibitors, which treble those of any for
eign country.
The following is table of exhibitors
which speaks eloquently of the American
enterprise: France. 10000; United
States 1854; Belgium, $500; Germany,
1000; Italy. 1000; Russia, 1900: Scandi-
navia. 400; Austria, 1000; Great Brit
ain, 600; the British colonies, 600. Amer
lea has three times the number of exhib-
itors that France had at the Worlds
fair in Chicago. Sne occupies 329.O52
square feet with her forty-seven distinct
exhibition spaces, thirty-three in the
main exposition grounds. fourteen in the
Nlncennes annex. excluding the ground
covered oil a.,
national pavilion on the Quai d'Orsay.
American enterprise, however. is not
only shown in the size of her representa-
ton, but also i'll the preparedness of her
installation as compared with that of
most Of the other countries. and it can
safely be said that but for the dilatori-
ness of French workmen and methods
the United States exhibits would have
been exposed in their showcases to TO-
days visitors.
French Hardness.
Unfortunately French hardness has
hampered all American efforts to rush
matters. linus In most of our show
spaces everything is prepared. the glass
cases are ready to receive exhibits, bur
the American officials are afraid to dis
play the valuable articles to the likeli-
hood of damage by the clouds of dust
arising from work on the adjacent en-
DyfOnlc installation.
The highest testimonial to American
hood comes from Commissioners General
PlcQuart himself. After comparing the
state of progress Of the installation of
various nations he said to Commissioner
General Peck: 1T is an object lesson to
us all to see the American people work
| thank you for your promptitude and the
advanced condition of work in the United
States sections
Declared Open.
President Loubet, as he stood in the
presidential tribune, surrounded by the
members of the cabinet and his house
hold, opened the exposition with the
words:
"I4declare the exposition Of 1900 open"
Thus was the Paris exposition, de-
signed to celebrate the worlds entry into
the new century. inaugurated.
A Brilliant Spectacle.
The spectacle inside the Sale des Fetes
was brilliant with color and animation.
The immense circus-shaped hall is dec
GRATED with magnificent frescoes, repre-
senting allegorical subjects, by famous
French artists, and it's stained-glass Gu
pola bears superb designs by Hermann
and Goodwin. 1t formed beautiful set
ting for today's ceremony. Every inch
of the floor space was occupied by an as
sembiageq representative, Of. French arts.
letters and sciences, and including the
leading military, naval and political men
Of France. 1t was mainly an evening
dress gathering, but with the taste char
acteristic of the French nation, brilliant
uniforms Of soldiers, the diplomatic corps
and republican guards were so inter
spersed among the gathering that with
masses of pretty spring toilettes of the
ladies, Of whom there were almost as
many as men present, the scene was par
ticularly bright and effective. Moreover.
the light radiated down through the
stained glass from the dome shaped roof
in streams which Illuminated the living
mass below and gave varied tints to even
the prosaic, starched shirt fronts.
Contrary to expectation. the premier,
M. Waldeck-Rousseau, made no address
at the opening of the exposition, NJ. Mil
lerand and Loubet being the only speak
ers.
The Baroness de Rothschild has
i GI1o