The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-04-15
Brilliant Features OF the Dedication
OF the International Show.
AMERICAN EXHIBITS LEAD ALL NATIONS
Except France--Much Enthusiasm Shown by Every
One in the Opening Ceremonies--The Exhibits
Show Much Painstaking in Preparation.

Paris, April 1.-THE exposition OF 1906
is opened. but 1t will be at least month
before anything but building is to be seen
Today's ceremonies were peculiar mix.
ture of sumptuous splepdor in the Sale.
dss Fetes and widespread confusion else.
where.
Nothing could have exceeded the pic.
turesque stage setting an the beautiful
building In which the Inaugural ceremon-
les were held. the gorgeous uniforms Of
the diplomats and soldiers. the splendid
orchestra and chorus and the magnificent
effect produced by the grand staircase, Ut
which President Loubet proceeded to view
the exposition. lined with some 200 picked
men OF the Republican Guards with Jack
boots, white brooches. cleaning cuirasse,
and horsehair plumes streaming from
shining helmets, At the top OF this stair
way WIS room, the interior of which
could be seen from the SALES des Fetes
and this was hung with priceless Gobelins
from the Louvre Into this splendid apart
ment President Louhet entered and from
there walked down the avenue to his boat.
This part of the days arrangement was
perfect but the rest was chaos.
The wsather today, luckily, was all that
could be desired. Fourteen thousand
guests had been invited to the Iuuct on
and they had come because of the fius
weather. with only dust 10 endure
The afternoon was a holiday in Paris
by general consent, and a host OF country
people crowded into the city TO swell the
multitudes who from an early hour
trudged in the direction OF the exposition
and took up positions along the route Of
the presidential procession and at the
approaches to the grounds. The immense
number Of guests practically swept the
central streets clean OF cabs, Of viii
an unbroken stream several deep dr.lted
toward the gates between noon and Q:
p. m.
Drifted Is the correct expression for the
rate OF progress, because the traffic arr
ransements were SO inadequate that hum
dreds of vehicles did not reach the ex-
position at al, and the occupants were
either left stranded en- route or were
obliged to abandon their carriages ana
proceed on foot. This was the expedcnt
ordinarily adopted. even by seyeral men,-
bers- OF the diplomatic corps, and two
gorgeously attired officials of the Chinese
embassy, aftersihastily walking, several
blocks, arrived in the Sales des Fctese
lust in time to hear the cheering ct the
conclusion OF the ceremony.
The ceremonial within the Sales des
Fetes was simplicity itself. The reception
TO President Loubet at the entrance lasted
but few seconds. and on reaching the
presidential tribune, NJ Millerand tho
minister OF commerce, Immediately deliv-
cred his address, handing over the cxpo-
sition to the chief of state, whose address
was couched In most eloquent terms and
read in a resonant voice heard throughout
the vast hall.
NJ. Millerand's peroration was especially
fine and 1t brought forth storm o.
plaudits.
President Lorbet then replied and tho
speaking part of the function here ended.
feature of the proceedings was tho
series OF granoso tabeaux presented TO
the gaze OF the president and his party by
the wonderful spectacle in the SALES des
Fetes and the imposing vistas from the
Palace Trocadero down the Champs de
Mars 10 the Chateau d Eau, along the es-
planade of the Hotel des InvaIides from
Napoleon's tomb TO the Champs Elysees
while the view from the Seine along the
embankment on which stands en- irregular
line OF multi-colored national payllions.
presented every form of architecture.
The ladies of the presidents party
reached the Sales des Fetes In advance OF
the others and took seats In the special
gallery Nine. Louhet, richly gowned, sat
In front. surrounded by the wives of the
ministers.
The spectacle that met President Lou
bets eyes when. amid the resounding
strains of the Marseiilaise he stepped to
the front of the presidential dais on his
entry into the SALES des Fetes, was prob
ably never seen before within the walls OF
any building. The vast circus was filled
with a sea of human beings, who over
flowed the balconies jutting out from the
sides. The decoration OF the interior was
a triumph OF artistic skill with
a handsome stained glass dome through
which the rays OF sunlight filtered down
upon the concouIae below and color
scheme in mural painting with the strik-
Ingly executed frescoes OF appropriate al
legories in brilliant relief
The galleries and balconies were draped
with red plush and the hall WAS profusely
adorned with trophies OF tri-color fags.
opening fanlike from shields bearing the
letters "R. f." The group among the
great assemhlage which was the most At
tractiye was the body OF foreign repre-.
sentanlNes in picturesque attire. Since
Ylctorla's jubilee. or the cars corona
ton, no such congress OF strange and gor-
geous national costumes has been seen.
In mass together We're turbaaed chiefs,
Arab shieks In flowing white robeS and
With faces muffisd in lined cloths; Hun
garlan magnates in magnificent velvet
dolmans. trimmed with valuable furs. with
green breaches and top boots and wearing
fur toques gurmounted by waving
aigrettes: Chinese and other Oriental en-
bassy officials in characteristic silk gar
nents; tall Cossacks in sumptuous cloaks
with bandoliers sluug across their chests
from which emerged the polished brass
cartridge cases and trailing heavy sabres.
All OF these outlandish figures rubbed
shoulders with the wearers OF the not less
splendid but better known European uni.
forms.
At the conclusion OF President Lnubet,s
speech the procession formed and amid
the strains OF martial music proceeded
acruss ths Sales des Fetes between .