Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1903-12-14

exhibitors. Every island in the great
archipelago from which it was possible
to obtain an exhibit was canvassed by
agents of the board, and articles of
interest and value were brought to-
gether from every nook AMI corner
of the islands. Points v visited
before by white men yielded treasure
to enhance this great collection of cur
ious and attractive products.
Thousands Of natives and Americans
in the archipelago have been at work
for a year and a half in assisting the
exposition board to prepare the exhib
its. When the enterprise vas first
launched there was slow sailing for a
time. The board confesses that at the
beginning of the task the smanana'
system prevailed and "Philippinists'
seemed 70 be endemic and very con-
tagious. By exerting extraordinary
efforts, however, the thrill of the great
Louisiana Purchase exposition was
sent throughout the islands, promi-
nent native men and women became
interested and enthusiastic, the COM
mon people enlisted in the cause. ere
long the contagion Of enthusiasm has
spread from island to island and prov
ince to province. until even the non
Christian tribes became interested
and every Filipino who has heard Of
America was shouting for the success
OF the Philippine exhibit.
All departments mentioned in the
official Classification Of the worlds fair
except electricity. are represented In
the Philippine collection. The exhibit
is represented in 103 groups out OF
IA ami IN 30S classes out Of S07.
These figures give an idea as to the
remarkably diversified character Of
the exhibits from the islands.
The aim Of the Philippine exposition
board is to show the natural riches 81
the archipelago and the great resourc-
es which it possesses in the fertiiity Of
its soil, and to present the activity
and intelligence Of its people to the
view Of the world. To this end the
board has enlisted the cooperation Of
competent men In the various profess
sions, politicians, officials of the gov
eminent, scientists, artists, como
mists, priests. tradesmen, a%gricultur-
lists. manufacturers-in short, men in
every branch Of human activity that
Is represented in the islands.
The board has named Its exclus-
i've reservation at ST. Louis the
Philippine Exposition. and no n who
had studied the plans as portrayed on
the blue-prints. or who has seen the
Philippine buildings growing under
the workmen's hammers. can call II
anything other than an exposition.
The history OF the collection OF the
Philippine exhibits Is the story OF a
struggle. Governor Taft Of the Philip
pines, while In the United States In
the spring Of 1892. conferred with
President Roosevelt and Secretary Of
War Elihu Root, and 1t was decided
that the Philippine insular govern
ment should devote at least $250.0OO
to the preparation Of a thoroughly
creditable exhibit. Governor Taft sue
ceeded in increasing the working capi-
tai OF the enterprise by having allot-
ted to that purpose 100000 from the
worlds fair company. Hon. John Bar.
rett. then commissioner-general to
Asia and Australia for the worlds fair,
visited Manila TO enlist the interest
and cooperation Of the Filipinos and
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