New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-08-06
BRITISH IGNORE FAIR
FOR BUSINESS REASONS
Sir Edward Grey, Foreign Sec
rotary. Asserts Panama Canal
Tolls Had No Part in Decision.
COST WOULD BE S1,25O,OOO
That Amount, He Tells Parlia-
ment, Is Wholly Out Of Pro-
portion to Probable Com
mercial Gain.
fRv Cable 20 The TrIhune. !

pOl blOu w L lODdDlC SOAh-
mercial Gain.
IBv Cable 20 The Tribune
London, Aug. 6.-Sir Edward Grey
made a fat denial in Parliament yes
terday that Great Britain's decision not
! 10 participate in the san Francisco ex-
, position had anything 20 do with the
/ Panama Canal toll question. The true
reason he said. for the governments
decision was that it did not consider
that under present circumstances II
was justified in asking the country for
! 81 2JOooO, that being the sum neces-
sary for a creditable exhibit, sum
/ quite out OF proportion TO the COM
mercial advantage likely TO result
, The Foreign Secretary added that the
commercial centres of England had
shown no active desire TO exhibit. He
denied that the British government had
done anything % discourage the self
governing dominions from taking part
| if they wished. and said in answer to
a question that he didn't know what
Gcrmany's intentions were regarding
! the exhibition.
The conditions for participants laid
down by the exhibition authorities pre-
scribe" said Sir Edward, that eXhib-
| its shall be distributed among a series
Of international pavilions thereby rem
derng it impossible to secure an eff
| fective national display"
Thinks Estimate Too High.
| John OConnor. a Nationalist mem
/ her. questioned the estimate made by
| the government as TO the expenditure.
and pointed out that Great Britain's
expenditure at Chicago had amounted
to only s3oooO. while at the japanese,
! the German and the French exposi-
tions it had attained only SGDn,"o0.
Sir Edward Grey pleaded that the
conditions were not the same at San
Francisco. and that the governments
estimate had been reached by inquiries
made on the spot.
Alpheus Cleophas Morton, Scottish
member. suggested that in view OF the
/ governments Discrimination 10 help
{ the exhibition" private individuals or
the City Of London might take the
matter up, as was the case at the
( French exhibition Of 1889.
Sir Edward Grey in reply stated that
| as far as the government was con-
cerned the matter had been very care
fully Investigated 10y the Board OF
/ Trade but the government would not
/ think Of doing anything 10 discourage
participation in the exposition 10y pri-
vate individuals. He intimated that he
would communicate with the Board OF
Trade u see II the latter was ready 10
assist exhibitors desiring 10 participate
Useless 10 Exhibit IN United States.
The Daily Mail says. ~ is not
/ from pique petty mindedness or re
sentiment ut the singular action ~
/ Brother Jonathan in tearing up the
: Panama Canal treaty that Great Brit
ain is not 20 be represented. but be-
cause Of the expense. and because OF
/ the fact that there is no great eager
ness in the matter in English CONNER
/ cial centres IL Is useless for us 10
/ show our goods to an American Gus
/ toner when an enormous tariff wall
| has been erected for the sole purpose
/ Of preventing him from buying them.
! The Morning Post" says. The thing
| to be regretted is that this explanation
/ of our participation will hardly
carry conviction 10 aggrieved suspi
| cious opinion in America where the
J impression will remain that British
| abstention is due 10 causes which are
only disguised under pretended reluc-
tance 10 spend money. II Is possible
that nothing which this country could
DO would obtain a wholly indulgent
| Judgment in America, but that is no
reason why a little effort 20 avoid en-
differing that judgment should not be
made. especially as on other occasions
10 effort has seemed too great. This
country in its relations with America
/ las swallowed so many camels that II
seems out Of place to strain so heavily
at a gnat"
The editorial adds that II will be
| difficult in amity 10 refuse Mr. Bryan's
request for reconsideration, unless the
reasons for the refusal 20 participate
/ are absolutely invincible. and points
out that 1t is possible modification OF
/ the governments attitude might pro-
| woke corresponding notifications in the
attitude Of British manufacturers and
| traders
The Daily Chronicle" says. The
time is opportune for this country 10
/ respond To Americas invitation. and
| this could be done without manufact-
lrers or other private exhibitors taking
mart Two-thirds OF the British eX-
/ hibits at Client are official. We are
sure that such action by the British
| government would be greatly appre-
/ ciated by the United States. and we
/ hone that the exhibition authorities Will
enable such participation 10 be easily
/ undertaken by modifying conditions
! which aupear unduly restrictive"
/ The Daily Chronicle terminates its
! editorial by proposing that the govern
mont should send an exhibit Of British
! avis and crafts 10 San Francisco In
/ doing this the newspaper adds. Great
! britain could respond 10 the American
! I'm vitation. without the assistance OF
/ manufacturers or private exhibitors. In
| a manner that could not fail 10 be
! agreeable 10 the American people.
|