The Columbus journal., 1908-04-29

Hyde Park IN London IN 1881 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, AID pave the
way for universal peace. and now 1t
has been left for King Edward. by his
tactful and statesmanlike policy. to
promote a 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 a 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 1905. and
was eagerly taken up on both sides OF
the channel. A meeting was held at
the Mansion House July II. 1906. to
inaugurate the scheme, and the king
and his majesty's ministers gave their
cordial approval t. 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 ap-
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 dist1n'
guished people, and now. little more
than year after the first sod was cut
a marble city, with halls and palaces
domes and minarets. has arisen in the
great wilderness of land.
The exhibition site covers 40 acres
and the exhibits will be housed in q
palaces. and there will be a series Of
eight exhibition halls. the largest OF
which is the Machinery Hall, which
with its annexes. covers over 25O.O0(
square feet of floor space. The build
ings are divided between the French
and British exhibitors and devoted tt
the liberal arts. science. social econ
omy, hygiene. chemical industries ant
Authorization sections. Other palace:
are devoted to education, fine arts
decorative arts. applied arts. music
and women's work, and there is flint
congress hall for meetings and con
ferences.
The Women's Palace is chivalrousl.
described by Mr.. Kiralfy as 1.-The mos
beautiful palace in a city of palaces.
/. Alphabetically. 1t is a perfect littl
gem. and is set like holy of hole
in the center of the exhibition in tn
court of honor. having the Palace O
Music on one side and the Royal Pa
vilion, which provides accommodate
for the king and queen and member
of the royal house, on the other side
Some idea of the practical interes
France has taken in the scheme is ev
denced when it is stated that out 9
$4,000 applications for space so far n
ceived, $4,000 have come from acros
the channel. One-half of the entir
space available-3O acres. or II
square miles of floor space-is to b
devoted to French exhibits. which wi
be more comprehensive than those di
played by France at any exhibtio
outside of Paris.
The buildings are spacious and a
tistic structures. built for the mo:
part Of steel, iron. concrete and pla
ter. Wood is conspicuous by its al
sence, with the result that all tn
edifices will be fireproof. The giar
of the palaces is the Machinery Hal
1t is the largest building ever erecte
at any exhibition. 1t covers an area I
over six acres. and consists Of mai
| building. running northeast and sout
west, Joined together at the south en-
by a building of similar .constructio
the whole resembling in design IL
letter u" Each side building is g
feet long by $50 feet wide, and Il
cross building 3O2 feet long by 80 fe
wide. There will be a total flo,
space in this one building of eigl
acres.
|, The next largest is the Indian Cou,
where the products Of the Indian Ell
pire will be displayed to full adva
tase. This structure will be one