Year: 1875

on his part placed stress the fact that the Exh
bition was not organized by the government, and
ferred to OF Congress which had been made
weeks before refusing to make appropriation for
IL But while the Ministry OF Finance had taken this
strong ground against the Centennial Exhibition there
was in other departments OF the government very
strong feelings In favor OF it. and persons Of the highest
authority including cabinet ministers, took the pains
argue the with the Minister Of Finance and
endeavored to his consent for participation.
Some OF the newspapers published strong appeals on
the subject Our legation had done all t could, for at
that time not Of the real hndrance the
matter


CHANGE PERSONNEL


In the meantime certain change OF personnel had
taken place In St Petersburg; some officials had died
and others had been changed. Baron Jomini the new
head OF the Foreign olce in the absence OF Prince
Gortschakof had always been In favor of Russia ac
cepting the American invitation, and now
that he found thas remarks were being made
with regard TO tho relations Of the countries and
that political turn given to the refusal he was
doubly So Questions had been put him by the rep


esentatves Of other countries asking II there any
truth In all these rumors, and whether tho refusal OF
Russia was. indeed, motved by any change in its pol
Icy. He at that an error had been made and
caring little by whom how, resolved to do his best
to correct It. Tho matter reported to the En-
peror, and the Empress also expressed her earnest
wish that the invitation 20 the Exhibition should be
accepted revision Of the decision, therefore, took
place, and after two conferences with Min
istcr Mr.. Boxer formal acceptance was given and
commission appointed


II became necessary, however to make some excusc
for this sudden change Of 'front.' and tho reason given
was that tho Centennial Exhibition had assumed q
much national and popular character than It had
49,
fse ofthe Centenary OF American Independence


The Russians had, OF course, known this perfectly
well BEFORE and time had intended 10 send
special embassy the United States DO present on
the 4th OF July, 1876 and formally congratulate tho
government in the OF the Emperor, bat It was
considered best put Il before tho public the idea
OF the centenary Of American Independence
was new one which had just come to them.
THE


long article, therefore, explaining the sudden rcso
luton OF Russia TO DO represented Philadelphia and
on the relations between Russia and tho United States
evidently inspired by the Foreign once was printed in
the Coios Among other things this article says


f the United states about 70 celebrate next year
the centennial or their Independence wo have the envi
able privilege or celebrating with them the centennial


OF constant and uninterrupted friendship which has
united tho two countries well in years OF distress
and misfortune as in times OF national victory and
| triumph. The participation OF Russia In the
| Philadelphia Exhibition, therefore, seems to
| us 10 present favorable occasion for
| strengthening the secular bond of friendship
| which attaches US to the American Republic. >
Although our governments made great pecuniary sacr
nces at tho Vienna Exhibition without a. present Sec


ing any good results from them for Russian industry
and notwithstanding the expenses which win be in
cured by the organization Of Russian section In the
Exhibition at Philadelphia government has not
hestated give TO tho United States this proof OF it's
cordiaty. In fact during the time OF the
last civil war which threatened the strength Of the
Union, the Western Powers, especially England and
France openly sided with the southerners While
the Washington government and President Lincoln
met with more or less openly expressed III viii frOm al