The new era. (Walden, Colo.) 1906-19??, 1908-05-07

Since lHe great exposition at the
Hyde Park in London in 1851 there
has been nothing In that country
OF the same scope and magnitude as
the Franco-British exposition. now
nearing completion at Shepherds
Bush. ready for opening In another
month. 1t was the dream of Queen
Victoria and the prince consort that
the exhibition of 1851 would promote
the brotherhood OF man, and pave the
way for universal peace. and now 1t
has been left for King Edward, by his
tactful and statesmanlike policy, to
promote spirit of amity between
Great Britain and other European ma
tionalities. and in particular with her
nearest neighbors across the channel.
The outcome Of the entente cordiale
is the Franco-British exhibition.
The idea Of mutual exhibition be-
tween the two nations for the purpose
of increasing commercial intercourse
was proposed by the French chamber
Of commerce In London in 1906 and
was eagerly taken up on both sides of
the channel. A meeting was held at
the Mansion House July IL. 1906. to
inaugurate the scheme, and the king
and his majesty's ministers gave their
cordial approval to the undertaking.
The duke Of Argyll was made honor
airy president, the earl of derby pres
ident and Mr. Imre Kiralfy, that prince
amongst exhibition organizers. was APP
pointed commissioner general. The
first sod Of the grounds of the exhibit
ton was cut January 3. 1907, by Comte
de Manneville. on behalf of the French
ambassador, in the presence Of the
duke OF Argyll Sir William Bull, NJ.
p. the mayor OF Hammersmith, and
representative company OF distin-
guished people. and now, little more
a marble city, with halls and palaces,
domes and minarets, has arisen in the
great wilderness of land.
The exhibition site covers 140 acres,
and the exhibits will be housed in 20
palaces. and there will be series of
eight exhibition halls. the largest of
which is the Machinery Hall. which,
with its annexes, covers over 100000
square feet of floor space. The build
ings are divided between the French
and British exhibitors and devoted to
the liberal arts. science. social econ
omy. hygiene chemical industries and
alimentation sections. Other palaces
are devoted to education, fine arts.
decorative arts, applied arts. music
and women's work. and there is fine
congress hall for meetings and con.
ferences.
The Womens Palace is chivalrously
described by Mr.. Kiralfy as the most
beautiful palace in city of palaces"
Alphabetically, 1t is perfect little
gem, and is set like holy of holes
in the center of the exhibition in the
court of honor. having the Palace of
Music on one side and the Royal Pa
vilior, which provides accommodation
for the king and queen and members
Of the royal house. on the other side.
Some idea of the practical interest
France has taken in the scheme is evil
denced when 1t is stated that out of
$4,000 applications for space so far re-
ceived. 10000 have come from across
the channel. One-half of the entire
space available-30 acres, or IN
square miles of floor space-is to be
devoted to French exhibits, which will
be more comprehensive than those dis
played by France at any exhibition
outside of Paris.
The buildings are spacious and ar
tistic structures, built for the most
part of steel. iron, concrete and plas-
ter Wood Is conspicuous by its abb
sence. with the result that all the
edf1ces will be freproof The giant
of the palaces is the Machinery Hail.
1t ia the largest building ever erected
at any exhibition. 1t covers an area of
over six acres, and consists Of a main
building, running northeast and south
west, Joined together at the south end
by building of similar construction,
the whole resembling in design the
letter gu" Each side building is 661
feet long by 100 feet wide, and the
cross building 1902 feet long by 80 feet
wide. There will be a total floor
space in this one building of eight
acres.
The next largest is the Indian Court,
where the products of the Indian en-
pire will be displayed to full advan-
tage. This structure will be one of
the prettiest in the whole grounds. In
front Of each palace are gardens.
The hanging space for pictures in
the Fine Arts Palace is IN times
greater than that at the British Roy
al academy.
In the very center OF the grounds,
with their various palaces on either
side, is huge lake, from which run
lagoons. On this waterboats and
launches will fit to and fro laden with
visitors, the total navigable distance
being nearly mile in length. In all,
there are no fewer than 76 buildings
In the grounds.