Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-14
ON A GREATER SCALE
Toxic Exposition Grander
Than First Planned.
POSTPONED FIVE YEARS
Foreign Nations Will Extensively
Participate.
ADVANTAGE GAINED BY DELAY
Report of American Commissioners
Sent to coongress-Ties With
Japan Strengthened.


sent to Congress today, contains definite
information of interest in commercial cir
cles and to prospective exhibitors, while
reading between the lines, 1t is evident the
visit of the American commissioners to
Japan served a useful diplomatic purpose
at an important iuncture in the relations
between the two countries.
The formal recommendation is made by
the commissioners general themselves,
that the commission be placed on waiting
orders, at merely nominal compensation
TO cover expenses until 1914, when full
activity and salaries are to be restored
The commissioners were directed by the
Secretary of State to proceed to Japan
after the postponement of the exposition
had been announced. That the ARRIVAL or
the commission in Japan was emlnehtly
satisfa Glory in every way to the Japanese
government was made manifest in most
emphatic and pleasing manner.
Immediately upon the arrival of the
American commission i'm japan, emphatic
official assurances were given Comnlls-
sioners General Loomis. Skiff and Millet
by Marquis katSura. the prime minister,
Count komura. minister for foreign al
fairs: Baron Oura, minister OF agriculture
and commerce. and other high japanese
officials that the exposition merely
postponed. and that it would positively
take place in 1917.
Preparations Going On.
1t was learned that Notwithstanding the
postponement. the work of preparation is
in active progress and an official an
nouncement was made the day before the
American commissioners left Japan that
a japanese commission of high officials
and exposition experts had been selected
10 go abroad for the purpose of studying
exposition practice i'm thorough and
scientific way. This commission of Japa-
nese officials is now at work III Europe
and will visit the United States in the
spring of this year for the purpose of
studying industrial and commercial con-
ditions in the east, and of visiting the
Seattle exposition while en- route to
Japan.
The American commissioners persuaded
the Japanese authorities to agree to pro-
vide for the exhibition of 1911 a suitable
building for exhibits of agriculture and
food products and to give favorable con-
sideration TO making similar provision for
mines and mining, transportation and the
fine arts. This is an important conces-
sion and one that will save the United
States something like 5000 600 in building
construction alone, as well as securing
suitable representation and recognition for
the vast agricultural interests Of the
United States.
This Country Favored.
The most eligible and advantageous site
on the grounds which are to be used for
the grand exhibition of Japan was Sc
cured for the United States government
building. In this connection the commits
sion has in it's possession accurate and
detailed estimates covering the present
cost of labor and material likely to enter
into the problem of building construction.
This information will be furnished to
architects, builders and contractors upon
application.
The grand exhibition of 1917 will be
upon a much larger scale than that pro-
posed for the exposition of 1912 In
connection with it there will be held
large number of scientific and other con-
crosses.
The American commissioners secured
changes and notifications in the rules
and regulations which will be applied to
the exhibition of 1917, which will work
greatly to the advantage of American
exhibitors in the matter of display
housing, operation, expense of trans-4
portation to and from Toxic and in the
installation of exhibits.
They were informed by the Japanese
commission that 1t would be the policy of
the Japanese government to encourage
as far as possible the sale of foreign ex-
hibits 10 japanese citizens This pur-
pose-of the highest importance to pro-
epective American exhibitors-actuated so
strongly the policy of the Japanese au-
lhorities that they have decided to make
charge for royalty or commission
whatsoever on sales-a proceeding which
indicates most marked departure from
the practice which has obtained in all
previous International expositions.
Cause of the Postponement.
The report says that the exposition was
postponed for the reason that as soon as
it became evident that important foreign
governments were disposed to partic
pate on an extensive scale the original
scope of the enterprise had to be greatly
enlarged The facilities at the disposal
Of the Japanese government for handling
large exhibits and considerable numbers
of people could not be sufficiently aug
mented by 1912.
Moreover. the government had adopted
an engineering and fiscal program which
comprised extensive boulevard and street
improvements in Toxic and the construc-
ton of important harbor pier and rail-
road facilities, and the whole of this com
bined engineering and fiscal program will
complete itself automatically, without ex-
traordinary expenditure, IN the year 1916
SO that. in the following year the govern
ment will be most admirably equipped In
every respect tor the exposition.
An additional reason for the postpone
ment is that in 1917 the tiftieth anniver-
sary of the coronation OF the Japanese
emperor will be celebrated an event OF
deep significance TO Japan and of un-
usual interest TO the whole world.
In that year the largest merchant yes
sells will be able to discharge their cargoes
alongside piers at Yokohama. and exhibits
intended for the exposition can be trans
ferred directly to railway cars on the
pier. which will convey their loads into
the exposition buildings. This Will vastly
facilitate the forwarding of exhibits and
considerably lessen the cost OF participa-
ton 10 foreign exhibitors, as lighterage
and double handling of goods will no
longer be necessary.
Friendship of the Japanese.
The report says that the commissioners
general feel impelled to say that they
were profoundly impressed by the wide
spread, sincere and abundant manifesto
tonS of friendship and good will every
where exhibited by the Japanese govern
ment and by the. japanese people, and
they express opinion that the action of
Congress I'm providing for participation
in the proposed exhibition upon the i'm
portant scale established by law was
both wise and timely and they assert that
IL will be possible, with the appropriation
OF 81 100000. to arrange a participation
which will be in keeping with the dignit v
and credit of the United States and serve
as means of advertising the products or
the United States in what potentially is
the greatest market in the world. Not
only will the exposition be visited by
he pponfe a hut there &