Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-07-11
SAN ANTONlO's EXPOSITION
BY FREDERIC J. u>SI.,y

WASHINGTON, u. -. July lo-Sun
Antonio. Texas, a city much in the pub
he eye these days as the Headquarters
OF Maior-Gcneral FrcdericlS Funston.
mas completed ambitious plans for the
staging OF Pan American exposition
IN 1918 in celebration OF it's @Ootll
birthday.
The fact that relations between the
Washington and Mexico city govern
ments have been somewhat strained
has not discouraged the Texans Their
pans were in process OF development
months before President Wilson recog-
niZnd the d. facto government of cen
cral Carranza last October, and they
arc confident that by November 1918,
when the exposition will open. the re-
habilitation Of Mexico viii have reach :
cd - point where such an exposition
viii be welcomed 10y all interested in
the economic progress OF the republic
south OF tho Eio Granhc. Moreover,
General Carranza is familiar with tn.
plans Of the Texans, aud months ago
pledged his fullest cooperation, and
the participation Of the Mexican gov
crnncnt.
From a standpoint Of rai-hncricaii-
ism. the Texans feel that. their latg-
est city is the logical site in the United
states for an exposition intended to
lations between the Americas. San An
tonic has always. throughout its 200
years OF existence. occupied an import
ant place as the gateway 10 Mexico
and Central America. Within Il few
miles OF tho Mexican frontier IL Eas
long been an American metropolis NDr
the people OF that nation who visit the
United states for business or pleasure.
II Is city that has much Of tile Favor
OF La America, one where Spanish
Is spoken as nucntly as English. Its
buildings are of Spanish architecture
while its Alamo and it's missions re-
mind ono OF the days when tho Span
ish or Franciscan fathers were domi-
nant figures Dramatically. it Is similar
to Mexico city. and a result, every
winter thousands Of tourists from the
North come to enjoy its climate.
1t Will he 200 years in 1918 since
tho Franciscan fathers came out Of
Mexico To establish AT San Antonio the
outpoSts of Christian civilization.
Prior To that time many exploring
parties had passed through what was
then an untamcd wilderness but no
formal efforts were made TO coloniac
or develop the country until IT'S.
TO Develop Friendly Relations.
The exposition will be devoted pri-
marily TO developing closer CONNER
cial and social relations between the
United States and the other republics
of the Western Hemisphere. Other sec
tons of the country have held great
expositions in the past, but this will
be the first time that Texas and the
Southwest have attempted a movement
Of his kind
The Texans feel that the European
war offers now, and Will continue to
offer after the war has ended, unri-
vailed opportunities for the cultivation
of more Intimate associations with the
nations to the South. 1t is expected
that at this exposition will be displayed
products not only OF the United States,
but Of every country in Spanish
America. Thus the cause OF construc-
tive Pan-Americanis0 Will DE FUR
thered. To the benefit OF all concerned
Congress has already extended Fed
eral recognition to the Texas Biccnten-
NAL and Pan American Exposition. and
has authorized the President TO invite
all the nations and countries OF America
TO participate In the exposition. The
President has signed the joint resolu-
ton TO this effect. and in Il few weeks
he will be requested by the Texans to
issue his formal proclamation. Then
the wheels OF the State department
will be set in motion and the several
amba ssadors and ministers in Cen
trAl ana south America VIII loTtildli!
call the attention of the countries to
which they are assigned to the cNposi-
ton and will request their participa-
ion
Prior to the passage OF the resolu-
ton by Congress, President Wilson
Secretary OF State Lansing. Secretary
Redfield OF the Department OF Com
merce. and other high officials had
expressed theE interest in the propo-
sition and had pledged their support.
Secretary Lansing characterized San
Antonio "as the best exemplification In
this country OF Pan-Americanism. in
which we are peculiarly interested at
the present time. and which is drawing
the various republics OF this hemis-
phere together"
Undoubtedly" Mr.. Lansing told n
party Of Texans, IAN exposition OF the
kind you propose. devoted entirely to
the Pan-Amerlcan idea. will accom-
pIjsh much good"
Many Officials Interested.
In addition to Secretary LanssnG's
interest, the Texans have enlisted the
active support OF Secretary Redield, Of
the Department Of Commerce.: Assist
ant Secretary Sweet and other officials,
OF that department. all OF whom are
confident that tho Texas Bicentennial
and Pan-American Exposition Will be
OF material assistance to them In in