The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-05-11
CORNERSTONE LAID.
President Roosevelt Starts the Amcri-
can Republics Building.

| Washington, May 11.-President
| Roosevelt today laid the cornerstone OF
| the first international temple of peace
and friendship to be erected-the tangi-
! BILE evidence of the desire of the p
| American republics that war shall be
no more in the western world and that
| material prosperity promoted by in
| ternational trade shall take it's place
| Fitting the historical Importance OF
| the event, the exercises were made inn
pressive by the participation of the
| heads of each of these republics. Fol-
| lowing addresses by President Roose-
welt, Secretary Root, Ambassador
Nabacu of Brazil and Andrew Carne-
| gle, a cabled sentiment expressing the
| hearty approval of each president was
read. Cardinal Gibbons and Bishop
| Cranston pronounced an invocation
and benediction on the work done and
| the United States Marine band rem
| music specially prepared for the occa-
sion.
The new building is to be the joint
property of all republics. The site
provided for by the American congress,
consists of the old historic Vanness
erected in Washington. 1t faces the
Mall, is within a few hundred yards of
the White House and adjacent to the
state, war and navy building, and the
art gallery Mr.. Carnegie contributed
toward the construction of the build
ing to the extent of three quarters of
a million dollars. The building is to
be the home of an international bureau
maintained by the American republics,
and is to be made the center OF con-
tinuous campaign of education, where
one country may obtain accurate and
up to date information of every other.
A library on all subjects American is
to be developed, and propaganda
maintained intended to bring about
American governments nearer, init
mate acquaintance.
Invitations to the exercises were ac-
cepted by the entire diplomatic corps
in Washington, as well by the nigh
officials of all branches of the Amer1-
can government. Elaborate prepara-
lions for the accommodation of the
spectators were made.
The exercises were opened py the 81
rector of the international bureau, Jonn
Barrett who presented in brief ad-
dress, Secretary of State Root, cnalr-
man of the governing board of the
international bureau as the presiding
officer of the day.
Inscribed on the cornerstone are
the following words:
Building of the American Repub-
lies. Erected through the public
spirited gift of Andrew Carnegie and
the contributions of all the republics
upon land provided by the govern
ment of the United States, May
Ii, 1905"
The dimensions of the building will
be approximately 100 by $50 feet, it's
main portion standing two stories
above a high studded basement and
being in turn surmounted by dignified
ballustrades. The rear portion in or
der to cover capacious assembly
hall will rise still higher. The gen
T
American treatment out of respect to
the fact that 20 of the FL republics
are of Latin origin, at the same time
possessing such monumental charac-
teristic as will make it harmonic with
the general scheme for the improve
ment of Washington. 1t will be con-
Structed throughout of steel and con-
crete, with the effect of Spanish
stucco finish and with white marble
steps, foundations and trimmings.
A beautiful chamber that may be
called Hall of the American Ambassa-
doris" will provide the only room of its
kind in the United States especially
designed for international conven-
lions. receptions to distin guished for
eigners and for diplomatic and So
cial events of kindred nature. The
bureau is strictly an International and
independent organization maintained
by the joint contributions, based on
population, of the 81 American gov
ernments.
Nearly 100000 will be spent in
construction and fitting up the build
ing
The Presidents Speech.
President Roosevelt in his address
said in part:
This is a memorable occasion for
all the peoples of the western hemis-
phere. The building, the cornerstone
of which we lay today. emphasizes by
its existence the growing sense of
solidarity of interest and aspiration
among all the peoples of the new
world.
1T marks our recognition of the