The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1914-08-13
FRANCE TO HAVE
GOOD EXHIBIT
Boycott Of Panama. Pacific Exposi-
ton Has Fallen Through and
Country Will be
Represented.
CHANGE IN SENTIMENT
Paris Chamber Of Commerce Voted
Against 1t, But the
Others Are in
Favor.
CHANGE IN SENTIMENT
BY William Philip simms, Paris Cor

by William Philip simms, Paris Cor
respondent OF the United Press.l
PARIS, Aug. 13.-Despite the tenn
pestuous pot into which many French
merchants and manufacturers flew
because Of alleged vexatious and in
quisitional tariff measures and their
wholesale threat to boycott the San
Francisco exposition, the net impress"
sion prevails here today that France
will have not only one OF the finest
buildings at the show but one Of the
most complete exhibits as we'll.
Minister Of Commerce CASTOR
Thompson is largely responsible for
this. Had he not taken position
firmly in favor Of being officially rep
resented at the fair, and repeatedly
lent his voice and pen to the cause,
1t is more than probable that the
credit for 100000 francs demanded
would have been refused by the cham
Der of deputies. Prime Minister Rene
viviani backed up his minister OF
commerce and whispered here that
even President Raymond Poincar' let
it be understood that he heartily fav.
ored going to San Francisco, though
he is not supposed, constitutionally
speaking, to meddle in such matters.
With this trio Of men leading, sec
onded by the entire cabinet and as
sisted by some clever gum-shoe Work
by their lieutenant in the chamber,
the necessary money was voted. Even
then, however, a successful French
representation was not a certainty
since all over France hostile votes
were being taken by ths. >>rious cham.
bera - commerce because, the mem
bers claimed, the United States main
tanned customs spy system in France
and blackmailed exporters into per-
hitting an examination OF. their books.
Paris, Lyons, Lille Roubaix, Turcoing
and other municipalities passed reso-
lutions manifestly hostile to the fair.
Paris f1atfootedly voted against par
ticipation regardless OF what the gov
eminent might do.
There is where Viviani, Thompson
and their friends came in. Newspa'
pers which had been hostile to the
idea of participating in the San Fran
cisco exposition, suddenly about faced
and began to argue in favor OF 1t. 3D.
viously the word had gone out that
there was to be no more Knocking
that is there was to be no more knock
ing of the exposition however much
the yankee SPIES might be hauled
over the Goals.
Separate the ISSUE" declared the
"Temps." the semioficial newspaper.
Don't mix our row with the customs
department Of the United States with
our interests at the San Francisco ex-
position, and the people at large
This was the tip that went the
rounds and it had its effect. Other
papers, which formerly opposed going
to the exposition, editorially announ-
col that Frances own commercial in
terests necessitated a fine exhibit ano'
not to 60 on account of the "scanda'
Ions vexatious and inquisitory" tar1r
measures. would be like child re-
fusing its dinner because Its parents
held back the dessert.
NJ Raoul Brouimet, general secre'
tarv of the French committee on for'
eign expositions, connected with the
ministry Of commerce, told the cor.
RESPONDENT that for time it looked
as though France would have few ex-
hints at San Francisco even though
the government had decided officially
to take part.
However, whereas the Paris cham
be- of commerce voted fatty to boy
cott The show, the other chambers
throughout France, while opposlns
some OF the customs measures, had
not definitely taken stand. The new
turn which aaffirs have taken. assures
. fine showing, and the doubtful cities
vii, come in