The Washington times., 1902-01-18
MAY POSTPONE
-" VIZ. NT1TO nkTD
81. LUUID / nilS,
Congress Expected to Take
Some Such Action.
PRESIDENT FRANCIS OPPOSED.
Foreign Governments Unable to
Place Complete Exhibits by May,
- Appropriate nn Additional Fund
of s2,ooO,OOO for the Exposition.

Early action will probably be taken by
Congress TO officially defer, until 1901,
the opening of the Louisiana Purchase
for postpoTcment is caused by the in
ability of foreign Governments to place
complete exhibits at St Louis By May l,
1903, the date Of opening now fixed upon.
AS soon as the pcstponement is a mat
ter Of official record, arrangements Will
be made for a great celebration in May,
1903, at st. Louis, in commemoration of
the centennial of the purchase of the
vast Louisiana Territory.
The postponement, which seems inevita-
bic, is strongly opposed by Governor
Francis, who holds that the exposition
will be ready to open on the date-May l,
1901-as far as the management itself is
concerned
President Francis Opposes Delay.
THE pcstponement of the fair has
never been advocated or countenanced by
me- said Governor Francis at the Ar
lington last night He has been here for
several days with Adolph Busch, chairman
of the exposition committee on foreign
relations. They have held two confer
ences with the State Department officials
and two with the President
The fair can be READY in 1903. and will
be ready. Several Governments have sent
official declinations to participate, and
some Of them have given want of time
as the cause.
Additional Pressure to Bear.
"Our object in coming to Washington is
to confer with the State Department with
a view to bringing some additional pres
sure to bear on these Governments TO re-
consider their action. II the Governments
should not formally accept, that does not
mean the countries will not participate
ncr that We will not send commissioners
TO these countries to make direct appeals
to exhibitors.
THE President and the State Depart
ment are desirous for the success OF the
fair, and that foreign nations should par
ticipate, and are willing to do everything
possible to that end.
Il shall see Secretary Hay again to-
morrow, and if any definite plan is adopt
ed shall give it to the public
Mr. Busch for Later Date.
Adolph Busch. the chairman of the for
eign relations committee of the exposi-
tion management, is strong for postpone
ment, on the ground that by May, 1903,
few foreign Governments will be able TO
have their exhibits at st. Louis.
4 believe that the fair should be post
poned,' said Mr.. Busch anent this subject.
Take the case of Japan. They are TO have
an exposition of their own in 1903 When
extended an invitation to place an ey-
hibit at St. Louis in 1903, they said that
they could not do so until 1904
Nn-.. Vi,,e Nc.,eI
Mr. Busch went on to say that Austria,
Russia, and Brazil had declined to par
ticipate, and that there was a similar
feeling in Berlin to that effect. Mr..
Busch said that further representations
would be made to the countries which had
declined to participate, and that il was
desired that further time be afforded for
such negotiations.
1t is said that the State Department
prevented declnation to participate on
the part of Germany and Franco by in
structing the United States representa-
tives there not to press the authorities
fer an answer until further and more IA
vorable representations could be made to
them concerning the exposition.
Probable Action by Congress.
Inasmuch as Governor Francis is so
IA Ahis OPPOSNN ~ '-iS PS@'poAs44iSAts II 10
probable that the Missouri delegation in
Congress will inaugurate movement to
officially legislate the postponement until
1904.
1t is also understood that President
Roosevelt thinks that it will be advisable
to postpone the fair until 1904. Govern
or Francis admits that better fair can
be held in 1904 than in 1903.
In the meantime they will urge upon
necessity for an additional appropriation
OF about 50 000, ,000.