The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-09-14
The Paris Exposition and French
Politics.

Last spring the supporters OF the Wal
dpck-R Rousseau Cabinet cherished the
hope that, II they could avert defeat until
after the close OF the Exposition, they
might be able TO retain power for a con-
siderable period. They took for granted
that the big show would be successful.
not only from an artistic and a scientific
but also from a pecuniary viewpoint. and
they inferred that the elated Pansians
would give credit for the success TO the
Ministers by whom the plans for a Worlds
Fair had been carried out. II IA possible
that the deduction might have been justi-
fed by the event. had the premises been
sound. As a matter OF fact, the exhibition
has been a disastrous failure from a peou-
mary point OF view. and AZ the ~disappoint-
ment Of Partisan expectations may be
imputed In large measure to official blunders.
the party in power cannot count upon
the sympathy Of the metropolis when II
has TO face the assaults OF It's Nationalist
enemies on the reassembllng of the Chamber
Of Deputies.
Foreign countries, and especially the
United States. made munlicent contri-
buttons to the splendid spectacle which.
"a IL should be unfolded on the banks OF
the Seine. was intended 70 challenge the
wonder and admiration of the world. 1t
ia not they. therefore, that can be blamed
for the enormous losses which. before the
Exposition closes in November. will have
been sustained not only by the French
Republic. the city Of Paris and the ex-
hibitors. but also by the unlucky specu-
lators who paid inordinat e sums for the
privilege OF opening restaurants. cafes.
concert halls and sideshows within the
grounds Of the exhibition, or who invested
capital in the construction OF new hotels
and fathouses destined 10 accommodate
the vast influx OF foreigners which was
counted upon with certainty. The fact
that the expected multitude Of sightseeing
strangers did not materialize Ia due partly
To the vituperation poured by a large part
Of the Paris press upon Americans during
our war with Spain, and upon Englishmen
during the war In South Africa. but IL must
also be attributed in some degree TO mis-
takes on the part Of the officials. Messrs.
MnLERANp and PICARD. who have been
especially charged with the management
OF the affair. Their initial error was COM
mitted when they opened the Exposition
in April. although they knew that workmen
would still he hammering on unfinished
buildings a. late "a June. A to the so
called " annex Mt Vincennes, which Was
allotted 10 electrical and mechanical ex-
hibits. this long remained in a state Of
lamentable confusion; and, even when
order was attained, comparatively few sight
eeers could he induced 20 visit this section
Of the Worlds Fair. first. because II was
too far from the Seine to be reached CON
veniently. and, secondly. because separate
tickets had 10 be purchased for admission.
Then. again. so far as the main part Of
the Exposition was concerned, II was almost
destitute Of outdoor and gratuitorp attrac-
tions. Within the whole Of the vast en-
closure only two bands could be heard
without the payment az an additional
fee. The dominant idea in the minds Of
the managers seemed 20 be the catch
penny one that. II there were no gratui-
tons amusements in the grounds, the
visitors would be compelled to patronize
the sideshows. Tho managers may even
have entered into a secret agreement 10
this effect. for II is not easy 10 explain on
any other theory the ridiculous prices
obtained for sites for restaurants, cafes