The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-01-18
TIT MAY BE POSTPONED
ST. LOUIS FAIR MAY BE DELAY
 ED A YEAR.
Francis Says Some Foreign Govern ments Cannot Participate in 1908 on Account of Short
 Space of Time.

Washington, Jan. 1z.-Since arriving in Washington ex-Governor Francis, Presi- dent of the Louisiana Purchase Exposi- sion, and Adolphus Busch, chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations Of the Exposition, have become convinced that if the exposition is to secure re- ally notable collection of foreign exh!b- its that will eclipse exhibits heretofore sent from European nations to other ex- positions, there must be postponement of the opening of the great fair to be held at St. Louis from 1908 to 1904 The gentlemen named made an admission of this fact today in the course of con versation at the White House where they had called to interest the President in efforts they are making to urge on fo.eign Governments the desirability Of full and complete representation at tne St. Louis Exposition. Prior to this call they had seen a number of Ministers ana other representatives attached to the foreign legations and embassies in Wash ington and as a result had become con- vinced that elaborate foreign exhibits could not be counted on for an exposi- ton in this country during the year 1903
 Ex-Governor Francis tonight in re- sponse to a request from the Associated garding reports that the Louisiana Pur. chase Exposition would be postponed
 T was much surprised to learn that a feet that l had virtually admitted that the fair would be postponed from 1905 to 1904 I have never advocated nor con templated such action. Ontbehalf or the f< zax can be ready for the exposition in 1905 and will be ready. When some newspaper men asked me today if the fair would be postponed and I made a negative re- a better fair for 1904 than in 1903. l re- piled Yes, and so can we prepare a better fair for 20O4 than for 1904. can not say why this statement should pc lana Purchase Exposition would be post poned from the date fixed by Congress and announced by the President in his pro clamation inviting foreign countries to participate.
 Some of the European governments have sent replies declining and one op- Ject of my visit to Washington is to ask the State Department and the adminis- tration to bring additional pressure upon such governments to reconsider their con clusion. If. however, they refuse to do so, it would not mean that St. Louis would not have exhibits from those coun- tries as our commissioners would make appeals to manufacturers and other ex- hibitors therein. One or more of the foreign countries have given as reasons for their declination that they have not time in which to prepare. Whether the governments so declining would partici- pate in the event of a postponement has not been ascertained.
 'I am still in conference with the State Department and trust that within the next few days some plan will be evolved whereby foreign governments that have declined can be induced to reconsider"
 "1f." continued MT. Francis. "the State Department or the administration or Con- gross should desire this fair postponed in order to give foreign governments a longer time in which to prepare, I have no doubt the local corporation would readily grant such wishes"
 Do you expect that such contin- gency will arise?"
 NO. I do not expect. but firmly be- lieve that everything will be in readiness and the fair will open on time." was MT. F'ranciS'S reply. 5t,