Omaha daily bee., 1908-05-12
WESTERN HEMISPHERE IS UNITED
Structure is New Bond of Union
Among American Nations.
PRESIDENTS SEND GREETINGS
Fraternsl Greetings Are Received
from Heads of Governments.
GIFT FROM ANDREW CARNEGIE
Building VIII Cost Nearly One MIL
lion, Three-Fourths of which ia
to he Paid by the steel
king.

! WASHINGTON, May lin the presence
Of the president Of the United States and
| OF representatives Of every other American
fepuhlic well as all branches of the
national government and Of the state
! governments, the cornerstone Of the pro-
posed new home OF the international Blu
reau Of American Republics was laid today.
Addresses fitting 10 the occasion and ex-
! pressing the great benefits to be derived
from the formation of the Bureau OF
American Republics in many ways were
made by President Roosevelt. Secretary
Root. Mr. Nabuco, the Brazilian ambassa-
dor. and Andrew Carnegie, while messages
OF congratulations and wishes for success
in the work about to be undertaken were
read from the presidents Of nearly all of
the American republics. large audience
listened to the speeches and witnessed the
laying Of the cornerstone
The invited guests in addition to those
actively participating in the exercises were
members Of the cabinet, the diplomatic
corps, both houses Of congress. the gov
ernors Of states and prominent citizens of
Washington and elsewhere. Music for the
occasion was furnished by the Marine band.
while the decorations for the grandstands
ana smaller stands erected to accommodate
the guests were made up largely of the
flags Of the twenty-one American republics.
Program of the Day.
Director John Barrett, OF the bureau. In
a very brief talk, in which he referred TO
the great assistance given by Secretary
Root toward the accomplishment Of the
work and his effort in behalf Of the ad-
vance Of the bureau work. introduced the
secretary of state. who is chairman Of the
governing board of the bureau the pre-
siding officer. Cardinal Gibbons. delivered
the invocation, which was followed in turn
by an address by Mr.. Root. the reading
of congrstulatory messages from American
presidents and addresses by President
Roosevelt. Ambassador Nabuco and An
drew Carnegie. Ceremonies incident to the
laying of the cornerstone closed the exer-
cises. Inscribed on the cornerstone are
the following words:
Building of the American republics
Erected through the public spirited gift OF
Andrew Carnegie ana the contributions OF
all the republics upon land provided by the
iEsol. ESte'Hmen' OF the United states May L.
The imposing international building will
stand on an attractive site covering about
five acres to the south OF and in close prox-
unity to the White House. the State, War
and Navy departments building, the Cor
coran Art gallery and that OF the Daugh-
ters Of the American Revolution. 1t is also
near the Washington monument. The d.
mensions Of the building will be approxi-
mately 16Oxl60 feet, its main portal stand
ing two stories above a hlgh-studded base
ment and being in turn surmounted by dig
nified ballustrades. The rear portion In
order to cover a capacious assembly hall
will rise still higher.
Description of Structure
The general architecture win suggest
Latin-American treatment out Of respect
to the fact that twenty Of the twenty-one
republics are Of Latin origin. at the sams
time possessing such monumental charac-
teristics as will make II harmonize with
the general scheme for the improvement of
Washington II viii be constructed
throughout Of steel and concrete, with the
effect Of Spanish stucco finish and with
white marble steps, foundations and trim
mings
A large reading room will be feature
where can be seen all the South. as we'll
as North American publications. beside i'm
portant historical data. A beautiful as
sembly chamber that for present purposes
may be called the Hall OF The American
Ambassadors viii provide the only room
of its kind in the United States especially
designed for international conventions, re-
ceptions to distinguished foreigners ana for
diplomatic and social events OF kindred
nature The bureau Is strictly an interna-
tional and independent organization, main
tanned by the joint contributions based on
population, of the twenty-one American
governments.
Nearly 81 100000 will be spent in construc-
tion and fitting up the building. OF which
Andrew Carnegie contributed s75oOOO It
will be unique, not only for washington,
but in all the world, serving as an inter-
national headquarters OF offices in one
national capital Of twenty-one American
nations. the nearest approach TO II being
the new Temple Of Peace now bdng Iected
at The Hague.
FraternaI Feeling Expressed.
Messag expressing fraternal feeling had
been received from many Of the southern
republics and were read. Without exeep-
ton they were couched in most friendly
words and said the executives were grati-
fled with the sentiment showing their un-
aIterabIe attachment 70 the great republic
of the north, besides as President Estrada
| OF Guatemala said, representing the con-
soiidation Of the fraternal relations OF the
American family"
Messages were read from President ].
. Figuerora Alcorta Of Argentine republic.
Minister OF Foreign Relations Plnilla OF
Bolivia. President Parma Of Brazil Min
lister Of Foreign Relations Pugs OF Chile,
Acting President Eclides &c Angulo OF CO.
lombia, President Estrada OF Guatemala.
Secretary Of Foreign Relations Mariscal OF
Mexico, President Zelaya Of Nicaragua
President Pardo Of Peru, President Amador
Guerrero OF Panama, President Viquez OF
Costa Rica Acting Secretary OF State
Garcia Velez Of Cuba, President Caceras
OF the Dominican republic. President Mill
man Of Uruguay, President Alfafro Of
Ecuador. President Davila OF Honduras.
President Fernan de Figueroa OF Salvador.
The word from the republic Of Mexico
was as follows:
| The president % Mexico sincerely wishes
that the ceremony Of laying The corner
, | stone OF tine building Of the International
! bureau Of the American republics be a
the bureau is-symbolc Of the hope thai
! an era OF unalteTabls peace the character