The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-05-16
SHOW
AWAITS j. s.
SUPPORT
Empire Exhibition Is Depend
ing in Large Measure on
American Tourists
By DAVID NJ. CHURCH,
International News servico.

LONDON, May 16.-"U. 8. Army
Coming" This headline is displayed
prominently and repeatedly in the
English press.
It 10 not an echo of the world
war or the promise of a new war.
but merely the American army Of
tourists to which the newspapers
refer.
Back in 1917 the English press
was hopeful Of the arrival Of the
American army, but hardly more
hopeful than 1t is today of the ar.
rival Of the American army OF
tourists.
The British empire is staging Q
big show this year In London, in
the British Empire Exhibition. It's
touted as the biggest exposition the
world has ever seen. While It 10
theoretically by ana for the sub
Jects Of King George, ono gathers
from the daily press that 1t won't
be a success unless the Americans
come to support it financially.
wild Hopes Expressed.
Widest hopes have been ex.
pressed, and the number of Ameri-
cans who will visit London this
summer has been estimated at
figures varying from q quarter VI q
million to a million, although It IL
nearly a physical impossibIlity to
transport more than 100000 across
the Atlantic during the summer
months unless the navles Of the
world were drafted as a transport
service.
American proclivities for spend
ing are highly respected in Eng.
land and everyone feels certain
that II the Americans only come TO
visit the exhibition they win spend
enough to pay for the show. It re-
mains to be seen whether their
hopes are fulfilled.
Rain Hurts Show.
The British Empire exhibition got
away to a flying start, but struck
rough going soon after It loft the
post. AS usual. old "Jupe Pluvius"
interviewed and the bad weather
which prevailed during the early
days kept crowds away. It takes
q courageous man to stage an out.
of-doors show in England, where
the sun is truly a heaven-sent gift,
bestowed at long intervals.
The optimistic are nevertheless
hopeful that the sun will shine in
all OF its English glory once the
American tourists arrive.
The exhibition has not been with.
out Its own little troubles. and has
been attacked on several sides.
First, there was the criticism that
sufficient publicity had not been
given the show In the United States,
Then the exhibition opened and
there followed another uproar. Han
men Swaffer, an editor with q pen.
chant for discovery, unearthed the
big scandal" The throne upon
which King George and Queen Mary
sat the opening day was built Of
American timber. Not even Ca
madam timber, but timber from the
United StatesI This came pretty
close to les majestic, II one can
believe Swaffer.
Here was a great British empire
show with the rulers of the empire
present, and their Majesties were
given thrones made out Of pine from
the Pacific Coast Of the United
States. Twas shocking, ySwaffer
averred. and some people agreed
with him.
Another Painful Blow
Swaffer also found the enterprise
Of manufacturers Of the United
States a little disappointing. Here
was British empire exhibition,
but somehow or other q great
many exhibits which were undeni.
ably American were on display, ana
prominently displayed. Swaffer
didn't like this at all, and neither |
did his sympathizers.
Swaffer's caustic criticism didn't |
seem to bulge the exhibition people |
and they have made but one con.
cession to him thus far. The large
signs advertising a favorite beer
have been removed at his behest |
from site commanding one Of the
most beautiful vistas in the grounds. |
The exhibition will continue to
draw II the authorities can get |
Jupiter Pluvius" on their side. not |
Switzerland IL the
III. s. Army" comes.