The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-05-18
AMERICA IN PARIS
Our Pavilion Formally Turned Over
to the Exposition Authorities.

Paris. May 1.-THE American pa
yilIon at the exposition was formally
turned over TO the authorities and pub
lie this afternoon. The inauguration
took place in the presence OF Embassy
and consulate officials. a number OF
high French functionaries, foreign
diplomats and commissioners and such
a of American citizens that
many who were provided with tickets
were unable TO gain admittance to the
building.
Before the hour set for the ceremony
h crowd became so dense that orders
were given TO the police 10 keep the
people at a respectful distance from
the doors. The French officers adhered
SO strictly to the letter of their in
structions that even guests holding in
vitation tickets were not allowed 10
pass. Considerable confusion resulted
from this cause and the United States
ambassador, General Horace Porter.
with his party, found their passage
barred until an official perceiving him
from the building fastened to meet
him., and the ambassadors party
scrambled through.
The interior of the building was
brightly decorated with American flags
and tri-color bunting, with which the
balconies were draped, while from the
summit of the dome around the golden
agile flew the Stars and Stripes and
the French flag. The balconies were
occupied exclusively by invited guests,
while on the floor of the building a
double line of American guards. with
white summer helmets. formed an aisle
through which the official party pass
ed from h main entrance TO the spot
where the presentation took place. Be
hind the guards, the Americans who
gained admittance, stood and witness
ed the proceedings.
The ceremony Of transferring the pa
vilion was quite simple, consisting OF
an address by Ferdinand w. Peck,
commissioner of the United States,
handing over the building to NJ. AL
fred Pickard as the head of the ex-
position, and the latter's response in
accepting the ceremony. Sousa's band
provided music and the selections
played were composed purely of Ameri-
can airs except for the "Marseillaise."
Mr.. Peck reached the pavilion about
2 o'clock to await the arrival of NJ.
Picard, who, escorted by B. d. Wood
ward, assistant United States commits
sioner, entered the exposition gate at
the 1nvalides bridge at 2:30 o'clock and
proceeded Immediately along the Quai
VI NAAC IA Il
can building, which faces the Seine.
After a brief glance at the equestrian
statue of Washington, which guards
the portals of the American national
pavilion, NJ. Picard assembled the steps
leading to the door Here Mr.. Peck
stood surrounded by the members of
the United States commission. and as
he welcomed the french COMMISSIONS
general, Sousa's ban struck up the
"Marseillaise."
All the spectators, at once uncover
ed, and, amid he strains of the French
hymn, M. Picard conducted Mr.. Peck
to the centre of the otunda The au-
dlence greeted the conclusion of the
air with cheers, which NJ. Picard ac-
knowledged. No time was lost in the
proceedings with the ceremony, Mr.
Peck delivering his address and NJ
Picard replying in a brief, but elo.
quent speech, which evoked enthusiasts.
tic hurrahs from the audience.
At h conclusion of NJ. Picard's re
marks a general reception was held
Sousa's band gave a concert durinl
the remainder of the afternoon.