Mexico weekly ledger., 1902-08-14
WORLDS FAIR AND THE PRESS.


WORLDS FAIR AND THE PRESS.
WALTER WILLIAMS, Of Columbia,
No, who represented the Louisiana
Purchase Exposition, during his re
cent tour through Europe and por-
tons Of Asia and Africa, has returned.
When asked for a statement regard
ing his trip and particularly the
Congress OF the international Press
Association, recently held in Bene,
Switzerland, Mr.. Williams dictated
the following: ~ have been away
nine months, travelled some $1,000
miles and visited % countries. The
last important event vas the atten-
dance of the International Press Con-
gress at .Berne, Switzerland. This
congress is composed Of about 800.
delegates and representatives OF the
leading metropolitan journals of the
continent Of Europe, Such news
papers as the Figaro, the LHerne OF
Paris, the Local ARzeigeT Of Berlin,
the Impartial Of Madrid, and the
Tribune at Rome, and other papers Of
like Importance were represented at
this meeting by their chief editors.
Some II countries were included in.
the membership Of the Congress, en-
braclng all the capitals and points Of
commercial interest in Europe. l.
presented, as representing the press
clubs Of the Exposition, an invitation
TO the Congress to hold its next an
nual session September, 1908, in st.
Louis. There were six or seven inyi-
tations from as many different eoun-
tries, including M from Germany,
authorized by the Emperor, TO meet
next year in Berlin. These invita-
tions, one by one, we're withdrawn and
finally the Berlin invitation by a vote
Of the German delegation was with
drawn, with the understanding that
it would be presented for 1904. The
German delegation t%hereupon, with
out exception, supported st. Louis.
Speeches In advocacy Of the st. Louis
invitation were made by represents
tlycs from Germany, Italy, France,
Hungary, Spain, Austria, Sweden
and Switzerland. There was an ex-
citing discussion. The Congress has
never been outside OF Europe and has
declined invitations TO 60 even as far
as Glasgow, Scotland, during the ex-
position, and TO London. The ques-
tion being put TO a vote, however, said
invitation was accepted by practically
the unanimous decision Of the dele
gates. IL is expected that, from
assurances made at Berne, fully 800
delegates from the European coun.
tries will attend the Congress in st.
Louis. Previous congresses have been
held in Paris, Stockholm, Buda Pesth,
Lisbon, Vienna and other European
capitals. The Congress is not only
Important In itself, but includes in It's
membership all the press organization
OF continental Europe. Great Britain
alone is somewhat scantily represent
ed, but steps are already being taken
to secure the cooperation of the
British Institute OF Journalists, num-
bering over 100000 members in the
United Kingdom. Howard G. Cor
nish, Secretary Of the Institute, is
very much in sympathy with the plan
CT the Worlds Press Congress 10 st.
Louis. The same is true Of Sir Hugh
Gilzeam Reid, the founder Of the
Institute, and one Of the most impor-
tant factors In British journalism. SiI
Hugh said that the Louisiana Pur'
chase Exposition has given to the
journalists Of the world a great idea
and they will grandly respond. Dr.
Charles Russell, editor Of the Glasgow
Herald, one Of the great Scotch news
papers, cordially endorses Sir Hugh's
statement, with the assurance that
the Herald would assist as much as
possible an exposition which was 81
attractive 10 the press. l have visited
nearly LOCO newspaper Offices, issuing
journals In many languages, and have
met with most cordial courtesy and
the most gratifying interest in expo
sltion Affairs, with but a single excep-
ton, and that was doubtless due to a
misunderstanding Of the language In
a Turkish town. The Old World
newspaper people have great admira-
tion for American journalistic meth
DDS and have been pleased 20 give ex.
pressions In their columns, fayorably
commenting on the Worlds Fair
work. This Is true not only in the
larger capitals, but in the smaller
cities and manufacturing centers. In
fact 50 far as / can recall, not a sin
gle newspaper Of the 1000 which ]
visited has failed 10 make comment Of
some extent on the Exposition. The
St Louis Worlds Fair is apparently
growing In favor in Europe through
the excellent work Of the regular rep
resentatiyes there, and inquiries have
invoked In most unexpected forms.
Even in lands so far away as Eastern
Palestine and Upper Egypt / found
prospective exhibitions or visitors. In
a little shop In Bethlehem, for exam
pie, into which l casually went. ! was
accosted by the proprietor for infor-
nation regarding the Exposition. II
appeared that be wished to make an
exhibit Of some kind"
REFERRING to the business man ia
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