The Washington herald., 1915-03-20

Somewhat to the surprise OF the cxpostion buId.
!crs, the people poured down to see this growing
iInagnlhccnce. During one month there were 900
600 visitors, at : cents each. On one day alone
/ the visitors reached nearly 10000.
| Last summer the exposition received what for
a brief time, looked like crushing blow in the
declaration OF war. How could the world be inter
ested i'll such enterprise when the great nations
OF Europe were engaged in what might prove to
be the most deadly and significant conflict in his
tory!
The directors quietly reviewed the situation.
They saw that, lar from being a disadvantage in
Its effect on their plans, the might be an adj
vantage and a big advantage, too. In the first
place. 1t would keep al home the great army OF
American travellers that went to Europe each wear
| With their fondness for travel they would be
almost certain to be drawn to this part OF the
world. And besides, there were other travellers to
be considered, including those Europeans who
would be & lad to get away from the alarms OF war
and those South Americans who were in the habit
! OF gong TO Europe Furthermore, though the
exposition had been designed to commemorate the
services OF the United States army in building the
Panama Canal, it essentially dedicated to the
arts OF peace. 1t would show what the world could
do when men and nations co-operated. Further
more, 1t might develop into a great peace celebra-
ton, hope still maintained in spite OF the present
darkness OF the outlook in Europe.
Some OF the ideastS interested in the exposi-
ton believed that it might be the OF bring
ing the nations into clearer realization OF the
folly that lay IN all efforts to place artificial re-
strctiOnS on trade After all, trade essentially
represented the unifying OF the nations. Through
the increase OF facilities of communication and
transportation the world finding itself more
and more closely knitted. To resist the force be-
hind the change equivalent to resisting nature
herself And it was this resistance that caused the
dlssen>ionS among men and led to wastciul COM
petition and to war itself.
Though officially, Germany and England had
held alooi from the exposition, there were many
German and English exhibitors that wished to
come in. 1t was thought that, after the outbreak
OF the war, they would lose interest On the CON
trary OF them showed more. France sent
reassurIng word that her appropriation OF 100000
would stand.
For a few months the French authorities were
so absorbed by the that they neglected send
ing plans for their building. Then, to make up for
lost time. they cabed elaborate instructions pay
ing $1,000 for tolls
Some of the South American exhibitors took
advantage OF the chance to secure more space.
They quick to see that the war was certain
to break up those habits OF trade that would lead
to the creating OF lines and to the developing
OF markets. They also saw that through the
exposition, they would have ideal chance to
show their resources.
The outbreak of had an unexpected effect
driving to the exposition large part of the
richest art treasures in Europe. The warning ma
tons knew that. in sending those treasures here
they would be able to secure protection from pos
siblc disaster.
At the outbreak OF hostilitics the exposition
than three fourths completed. On the
first OF January of this year. when the gates were
closed to the public, practically all that remained
to be done to install the exhibits. Some of
the exhibits will be late, on account OF the dila-
torIness OF the exhibitors. But. the public see
a great active city representing, in concentrated
form, the industries. the arts and the social en-
deavors of the time. To study the exposition in
detail really to master it, requires many weeks. 1t
is like travelling the world over without having
the WEAKNESS and the expense of making long
journeys from point to point.