The state herald., 1908-05-01

Since the 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 Shepherd &
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 II
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 1905, 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 wns made honor
ary 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 distin-
guished people. and now. little more
than year after the first sod was cut.
n 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 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
tho 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 a fine
congress hall for meetings and con.
/ ferences.
The Womens Palace Is chivalrously
described by Mr.. Kiralfy as "the most
beautiful palace In n city OF palaces. '
Architectually, II is perfect little
gem. and is set like n holy OF hoiles
In the center OF the exhibition In the
court OF honor. having the Palace of
Music on one side and the Royal Pa.
vilio,. which provides accommodation
for the king and queen and members
OF the royal house. on the other side.
Some idea OF tho practical interest
France has taken In the scheme is eyl.
$4,000 applications for space so far re-.
cciyod. 10000 have come from across
the channel. one.half of the entire
space hvailablc-30 acres. or ~
square miles OF iioor space--ls 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 nr.
tiHtic structures, built for the mos,
part OF steel. iron. concrete and piaa
ter. Wood II conspicuous by It's alb
Hcne.. with IN. rcsul, that all tho
cdlflccs will be flrcproof The giant
Of the palaces In the Machinery Hall
II In the largest building ever erected
nj amy exhibition. II covers an area OF
over six aerea. and consists Of n main
building. running northeas, and south
west. Joined together at the south end
by n building Of similar construction
the whole resembling In design tho
letter III" Each aid. building IL CCi
feet long by 100 feet wide. and thu
cross building 30? feet long by $40 feet
wide. There will b. n total noof
space In this one building Of eight
acres.
The next largest IL the Indian cour,
where the products OF the Indian en-
pir. will he displayed to full adyan
'arc. This structure will be one oi
the ptc,ticet In the whole grounds. In
front of each palace are gardens.
The hanging space for pictures In
the Fine Arts Palace In sn times
greater than that At the british Ito,
nj academy,
In the very center NJ the grounds
with their various palaces on either
side. IN a huge lake. from which run
lasoons, ON this vatrfboats and
launches will nit 10 and FRO laden viii
visitors, the total nasisshie distance
being nearly mile In length. In all
there arc no fewer than 70 buildingv
In the grounds.