The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-05-13
THE AMERICAN PAVILION OPENED.
So Great Was the Crowd That Many Who Had
Tickets Could Not Enter.
(By the Associated Press.)

Paris May 12.-The American pavilion
at the Exposition. was formally turned
over to the authorities and public this
afternoon. The inauguration took place
in the presence of Embassy and Consulate
officials "a number of high French func-
tionaries, foreign diplomats and commits
sioners, and such concourse OF American
citizens that many who were provided
with tickets were unable to gain admit
tance to the building.
Before the hour set for the ceremony
the crowd became so dense that orders
were given to the police to keep the peo-
pie at respectful distance from the
doors. The French officers adhered so
strictly TO the letter Of their instructions
that even guests holding invitation tick
cts were not allowed to pass. Consider
able confusion resulted from this cause
and the United States Ambassador. Gen
eraI Horace Porter with his party. found
their passage barred until an official per-
ceiving him from the building fastened
to meet him and the Ambassadors party
scrambled through
The interior of the pavilion was
brightly decorated with American flags
and tri-color bunting, with which the bal
comics were draped. while from the sum-
nit Of the dome around the golden eagle
flew the Stars and Stripes and the French
flag The balconies were occupied exclu-
sively 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 passed from the main
entrance to the spot where the presenta,
ton took place. Behind these guards
Americans who gained admttance stood
and witnessed the proceedings.
The ceremony of transferring the pa
| vilon was quite simple. consisting of an
address by Ferdinand w. Peck, Commits
| sioner of the United States, handing over
| the pavilion to NJ Alfred Picard as the
| head OF the the exposition, and the lat
! ters response in accepting the cere-
| mony. Sousa s band provided music. 991
the selections played were composed pure
ly of American airs, except for the
'Marseillaise.
Mr. Peck reached the pavilion about
two O'Clock to await the arrival of NJ.
Picard who. escorted by B. ID. Wood
ward Assistant United States Commits
sioner. entered the exposition gate at
the Invalides bridge at 230 o'clock and
! proceeded Immediately along the DUAL
q OrSay 10 the entrance or the American
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 ascended the steps leading to
the door. Here Mr.. Peck stood sur
rounded by the members of the United
States Commission and he welcomed
the French Commissioner General, Sousa S
band struck up the "Marseillaise." All tn
spectators at once uncovered and amid
the strains of the French hymn NJ. Picard
was conducted by Mr.. Peck to the center
of the rotunda. The audience greeted
the conclusion of the air with cheers
which NJ. Picard acknowledged No time
was lost in proceeding with the
ceremony, Mr.. Peck delivering his address
and NJ. Picard replying in a brief eloquent
speech, which evoked enthusiastic hur-
rails from the audience.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Picards re-
marks general reception was held.
SCusas band gave a concert during the
remainder Of the afternoon.