Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1900-04-15
/ Is IN AMERICAN
EXPOSITION ALMOST.
TIE GREAT PARIS WORLDS FAIR
FORMALLY OPENED
YESTERDAY.
SIX THOUSAND EXHIBITS
SHOWN BY THE UNITED STATES,
ONE-FIFTH AS MANY AS
FRANCE SHOWS.
And Ten Times ms Many as Great
Bri sain--The Opening Was a Bril-
liant Event, the Weather Being
TavorabIe, and Public Buildings
amt Many Residences Showing
Elaborate Decorations.

PARIS, April 1.-THE Paris exposi-
ton was formally opened at noon to-
Cay. Favorable weather conditions
prevailed and innumerable bright col
ored domes and minarets glistened IN
the sunshine. Paris was early astiT
with people vending their way toward
the Elysee and in the direction of the
Nfxposition, in the hope of witnessing
|U.he presidential procession at some part
of its journey. All the public build
ings and numberless private houses
were decorated with flags, chiefly the
tri-color. The neighborhood of the ex-
position was especially gay with bunt-
ing, while most of the pavilions them
selves we're surmounted with floating
banners.
Within the exposition grounds this
morning all was hustle and animation
in supreme effort to clear away all
unsightly obstacles in order to leave
an unobstructed road and an external
appearance of completeness to the pal
aces for the presidential party in its
passage through the grounds. The fin
ishing touches were hastily given The
magnificent Sale des Fetes. The as
pect of the exposition has materially
improved from even that of yesterday,
and although the instalfaIon of exhib-
its has naturally undergone little ad-
vance the external effect produced by
the incessant labors Of the past couple
of days is already decidedly pictur-
esque.
The unfinished condition of the expo
sition on Inauguration day is regretta-
BILE and perhaps misleading. 1t must
be borne in mind that this is only q
passing phase and on its completion
within three weeks or a month from
now the exposition will indisputably
be the
Most Attractive and Magnificent
yet seen.
Americans, especially, will be proud OF
their country's display at this worlds
only to France herself in number of ex-
hibitors, which treble those of any for
eign country. The following is a table of
exhibitors, which speak eloquently of
American enterprises: France, 10000;
United States, 6,564; Belgium, $500; Ger
many, 1000; Italy, 1000; Russia, 1900;
Scandinavia, 100; Austria, 1000 Great
Britain, COB; the British colonies, 600.
America has three times the number of
exhibitors that France had at the World 5
Fair in Chicago. She occupies 329052
square feet with her Al distinct exhibition
spaces, SO in the main exposition grounds,
IA in the Vincenpes annex. excluding the
ground covered by our eagle surmounting
the national pavilion on the Quai dOrsay.
American enterprise, however, IS not only
shown in the size of her representation,
but also1in the preparedness of her in
stallation as compared with that of most
of the other countries, and 1t can safely
be said that but for the d!latoriness OF
French workmen and methods the United
States exhibits would have been exposed
in their cases to to-day's visitors. Unfor-
tunately French hardness has hampered
all American efforts to rush matters.
Thus in most of cur show spaces every
thing is prepared the glass cases are
ready to receive exhibits, but the Ameri-
can officials are afraid to display the
valuable articles to the likelihood of dam
ace by the clouds of dust arising from
work on the adjacent embryonic installa-
ton.
The Highest Testimonial
to Americanhood comes from Commits
sioner General Peequart himself After
comparing the STATE of progress of the in
stallation of various nations, he said to
Commissioner Gener Il Peck: 1T is an OBJ
iect lesson to us all to see the American
people work. / thank you for your
nromptitude and the advanced condition
of work in the United States sections
Horace Porter, the United States ambas-
sador, after the inaugural ceremony, said
70 a representative lof the Associated
press: owing to the broad views and
me public spirit early manifested by Pres
iaent Mckinley regarding this enterprise
and to the liberaity of Congress in pro-
xiding means for organizing a creditable
and attractive American section, our coun-
trv has secured a representation which will
arouse universal interest. The increase in
our commerce with European nations
which will result in this systematic and
extensive display of prbducts will without
doubt enlarge our foreign trade to such
a marked degree that the country will be
repa.d mafiy times forl the wise expendi-
tures authorized by the government The
friendly intercourse which will take place
between prominent and Influential people
from all lands will do much, it is trusted
!, bring about better understandings be-
tween the countries, and to foster that
good VIII which is so necessary among ma
tions in securing an era of harmony and
peace
limited States Commissioner General Fer
d,nand w. Peck said: THE exhibits of the
great international exposition rejecting
the arts and sciences and industries of the
nresent age, will be an achievement of
heretofore unequaled perfection. At no
other similar event have the nations of
the world so
Efaborately and AmbitiousIy
participated. While artistic architectural
effects are not lacking and the ensemble
OF the buildings anl gardens will be bril-
liant, yet this exposition will be most
noted for the exha ustiyeness of its ex-
hib.ts and for the intelligence OF their
Il 4