Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1910-04-28
PALACE OF PEACE
IS DEDICATED
Home Of international Bureau Of
American Republics.
PRESIDENT TAFT MADE SPEECH
The Building Cost 100000 Of Which
Andrew Carnegie Gave $75o,ooo i.
History Of Efforts to
Build.
PRESIDENT TAFT MADE SPEECH

full marble palace erected as AOMs
for the International Bureau OF the
American Republics was dedicated this
afternoon with elaborate ceremony In
which the representatives of the ma
lions Of the western hemisphere, as
joint proprietors of the building, took
the chief part. The building is really
q palace of peace and progress for the
bureau stands for friendly political
relations between the countries Of
America and for close social and trade
intercourse between their peoples.
The erection Of the building was
made possible by Andrew Carnegie
who gave $750,O0O Of the million which
1t and Its site have cost, and the iron
master was one of the chief guests and
speakers at the dedication ceremony
President Taft delivered fine adj
dress, and speeches were made by
Senior de Ia Barra, the Mexican ambas'
Vador; Secretary Of State Knox and
John Barrett, director Of the bureau
who was in charge Of the ceremonies.
Prayers were delivered by Cardinal
Gibbons and by a clergyman OF the
Protestant faith.
OF course all the members OF the
diplomatic corps who were in the city
were present. and those brilliantly
uniformed gentlemen, together with
scores Of ladies' in their beautiful
spring costumes, made the scene most
picturesque.
Big Reception This Evening.
Nearly everybody in Washington
wanted to attend the dedication cere-
monies, but the "hall Of ambassadors"
seats only 800 people. So Mr.. Bar
rett arranged for a reception IN the
evening in honor Of President and Mrs.
Taft and Mr.. and Mrs. Carnegie. In
Vitations were sent to members of the
diplomatic corps and to official and
resident society, and the reception is
expected to be one Of the most bril-
liant affairs Of the season. The Marine
band will be there, playing roper
Loire of Latin-American anthems, q
fountain outside the building will be
Illuminated with electric designs OF the
South and Central American countries,
and elaborate refreshments will be
BeTFed
The dedication Of the building was
admirably managed by Director Bar
rett and Francis ]. Yanes, secretary OF
the bureau.
Meant for Palace Of Peace.
The opening OF the new home Of the
international Bureau Of the American
Republics not only adds most impor-
tant and surprisingly beautiful struc-
ture to the public buildings at Uncle
Sans seat Of government, but gives
added dignity and prominence to an
Institution Of significance. throughout
the world, and especially in the new
world. The new building is notable,
primarily as the home Of that rapid
IL developing institution, the Pan
American bureau, but Of yet deeper
meaning in its avowed function as q
center Of arbitration on this continent.
Some years ago when the rented
Quarters OF the bureau in Washington
became manifsstly inadequate for its
expanding activities, a project was set
afoot to erect a permanent home for
It, 1t was to cost S125,0O0, and the
different republics were to contribute
in proportion to population as they do
for the annual expenses OF the insti-
tuition. Several of the South Amer
loan countries proceeded on this basis
and there was something like $4,000
on hand when the congress Of the
United states declared for a more pre-
tentious building and appropriated
5000 900 instead Of merely its share Of
the $4,000. Soon after Andrew Car
neSie came forward and offered to do
nate the whole sum needed for build.
inR-and a much finer building than
had previously been thought Of. He
had previously donated millions Of dol
lars for the famous peace palace" Al
The Hague, and Il was his idea to have
the new edlnee in Washington occupy
the same relation to the cause Of in
transitional peace on this continent
that The Hague palace does to the
cause Of international arbitration
throughout the world.
Rssuties Of the Marble Bulldlns.
With three-quarters Of q million dol
iars provided by Mt. Carnegie for {
building, the Pan-American bureau wa
enabled TO devote the t25O.OoO on hand
10 the purchase Of site, and = mos
admirable tract OF several acres wal
secured In an ideal location south o
the white House and overlooking thu
Potomac river Here 4 surprisingly
beautiful marble palace has beeI
reared from the prize designs submit
ted IN the competition which was en-
tered BY architects in all parts Of th'
country-and. indeed, Of the cont
nsnt There Is q distinct touch Of tn
epanish In the architecture, markedil
IN the Introduction OF the root an.
tis provision OF a patio" or innel
ooft sach a. constitutes the most dis
llnetive feature OF the typical Latin
Amuican mansion. The whole archi
l,-iu1.i nolier IN ne cart % TIA build