New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-04-14
THE PARIS FAIR.


The formalities with which Paris opens the
International Exposition of 1900 will be OBJ
served today. The numerous buildings in which
the fair is to be held. and even more so the
rangement of the articles TO be exhibited there
in, far from complete Weeks must elapSe
before the maximum of profit and pleasure can
be derived from critical inspection of them. 1t
does not appear, however, that the prepare
tons are really in a more backward state this
year than has been the case on similar occa-
sions in the past There are always unforeseen
causes of delay. There have been in this in
stance. In spite of these temporary drawbacks.
however. there is ample reason to expect a mag
nificent show, worthy alike of the French people
and the century now drawing to close.
The benefit TO be derived from these eXhi-
billions is twOfold-educatonal and commercial.
No intelligent person inspect a large and
carefully selected aggregation Of the products OF
art and industry without adding in thousand
ways to his previous stores of useful informa-
ton. And a material extension of trade always
results from display Of the newest devices of
human ingenuity and taste. Of late years Amer
lean manufacturers have been particularly zeal
in pushing their wares in foreign markets,
and a fair like this affords an exceptional oppOr
tunity for advertising such merchandise. Two
of the chief industrial rivals of the United
represented in this exhibition. For one reason or
another international politics, perhaps, or the
South African war-Cireat Britain will not be
seen TO as coed advantage
Until about fifteen months ago it seemed prob
able that the fair would be concentrated upon
a single site. the Champs de Mars and imme-
diately contiguous territory In that case an
area only about one-half as large as Jackson
Park. in Chicago would have been occupied.
But il was found that these limits would prove
too restricted. Provision therefore made for
an annex at Nincennes, some six miles to the
eastward 4 division of the exhibition is to be
regretted of course; the more because the
transportation facilities from one part TO the
other are not so direct and rapid could be
wished. The management cannot be blamed,
however Indeed. it is hard to see what other
course could have been pursued advantageOusly.
Unfriendy criticism has been evoked by certain
comparatively new features of the system of
classification adopted, system that has re
quired unusual splitting up of the contribu-
tions of foreign countries. These expressions of
dissatisfaction may not. however, have been de-
void of prejudice. and it remains to be seen
whether the change will not benefit rather than
harm the exhibitors
Just as the fair Of 1878 left the French capital
a permanent souvenir in the Trocadero Palace
and that of 1889 another in the Eiffel Tower so
the which marks the end of The century
will contribute the Alexander Bridge and the
Art Buildings TO the future adornment of the
city. Whether the huge telescope which has
been advertised of the attractions this
year will realize the hopes of its projectors as
a piece of optical workmanship and popular
sensation is perhaps little doubtful. But,
after all. the aesthetic and curious will he over
Swallowed by the unitarian phases of the eXhi-
bitiOn. among which latter it IS possible that the
electrical display will be the most significant