Final Report of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition Commission Part 38

In the garden surrounding the pavilion an attempt was made to reproduce on a small scale the style of garden that was generally attached to the mansion residences in England during the reign of William III and Mary, in the latter part of the seventeenth century, and at the time of Queen Anne, in the early part of the eighteenth century. The old-fas.h.i.+oned garden with characteristic features of shady terraces of "peached alleys," as they would be called, inclosed by hedges clipped into shapes and embellished with topiary work with the forms of animals and birds cut out of yews and boxes attracted much attention. The garden was filled with old-fas.h.i.+oned flowers. A water basin and fountain, typical of the old English gardens, were there, as also were stone statues and lead urns and vases. The garden became one of the sights of the exposition and was usually crowded with interested and delighted sightseers.

His Majesty King Edward VII was graciously pleased to lend the Queen Victoria jubilee presents to the exposition. The valuable and unique collection was placed in the upper story of the Hall of Congresses, one of the permanent stone buildings, now a part of the Was.h.i.+ngton University, and, according to the terms of loan, admission was free to the public. The royal presents included in the collection chiefly consisted of gifts made to Her Majesty the late Queen Victoria on the occasion of the jubilee celebrations of 1887 and 1897. Of these, the greater number came from India, where native princes of all grades and representatives of all nationalities and religions vied with each other in offering to her majesty the splendid tribute of her Indian Empire.

These Indian presents were of great interest, not merely on account of the precious metals and rare woods in which they were worked, but as showing how in recent years European ideas have influenced native Indian art, which, in many instances, was represented in its most characteristic and unaffected form.

The remainder of the collection included gifts offered by the representatives of the British colonies, many of them richly illuminated addresses, inclosed in caskets handsomely worked in metal or in native woods, or, as in the case of Cape Colony, which was represented by a magnificent screen of ostrich feathers, by objects recalling an important industry of the colony. These presents formed only a small proportion of the thousands sent from every part of the British Empire.

The presents were guarded night and day by members of the constabulary force of the city of London. Policemen from the same body patrolled the British Pavilion and grounds. The uniform courtesy of these men and their patience in answering the many questions put to them by a curious public spoke well for the corps which they represented.

The grant voted by the British Government for partic.i.p.ation at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition was 150,000. Private exhibitors bore all the expense connected with the collection, installation, and maintenance of their exhibits.

GOVERNMENT OF GUATEMALA.

The small but artistic pavilion erected by the Government of Guatemala was situated at the extreme northern end of the World's Fair grounds, just east of the Administration Building and beside the pavilion of the Argentine Republic. It was intended as an exhibit palace, with the object of installing all the Guatemalan exhibits, as well as being a bureau of information.

In its exterior facade appeared an extensive, semicircular peristyle, sustained by columns of the renaissance style, and in front two doors leading to the two rooms into which the building was divided. In the upper part of the middle of the doors was placed the national s.h.i.+eld, with the American flag on the right and the Guatemalan ensign on the left, both surrounding the bust of Extrada Cabrera, the present President of this wealthy and prosperous section of Central America.

The salon to the left was decorated with pictures by Guatemalan artists and had other artistic features, such as native pottery, statuettes, etc. Here every afternoon the coffee for which Guatemala is so justly famous was served to visitors. In the same room also were placed an extensive collection of newspapers and a series of literary works, scientific and didactic, by Guatemalan authors.

In the department to the right, arranged very tastefully and skillfully, were samples of valuable products, demonstrating the agricultural and mineral wealth of Guatemala. Among the exhibits was a collection of specimens of all cla.s.ses of coffee, arranged in 160 receptacles and two small crystal columns. A magnificent collection of 186 specimens of cabinet work wood, beautiful in construction and coloring, attracted much attention by its wonderful variety.

The mineralogical section was not so extensive as that devoted to wood, but it showed magnificent specimens from the gold mines, also samples of silver, copper, lead, isingla.s.s, coal, marble, kaolin, etc. Another installation showed some samples of native beer of excellent quality.

There were also samples of rum and brandies, distilled from sugar cane and native fruits, among these products being the "banana whisky," a delicious liquor, exhibited for the first time to the public. The manufacture of this whisky is a new industry, and promises an excellent future.

The cereal and grain section was notable for the great variety of corn, frejols, wheat, barley, etc. The famous cocoas known by the name of "Socomusco," and which since the earliest time have been recognized as among the best produced on the continent, were also represented in this section, as well as sugar, which is being produced in the country in respectable quant.i.ties. The attention of visitors was attracted by the silk (or "ceiba") cotton, installed in the same section. It is remarkable for fineness, softness, and special color. It is locally known as "AlG.o.don de Cajeta."

The extensive and variegated collection of roots, barks, and medicinal plants const.i.tuted a special section. Among them were different kinds of quinine, sarsaparilla, ipecacuana, and other herbs. Elastic or "india rubber," stearin, gums, vanilla, etc., made up an interesting exhibition of native products. Tobacco, similar to the kind grown in Cuba, which is produced in great abundance in Guatemala, was presented in its various processes of development, from the native leaf to the finished cigar or cigarette. Samples of fibers, gra.s.ses, flowers, roots, and palms were shown in abundance. From the palms of Guatemala are manufactured the so-called "Panama hats." Visitors were much interested in their extreme lightness and the uniformity of tissue of the Guatemalan hand-made straw hats.

The building was erected at a cost of $10,000. This sum included ornamentation and the landscape gardening. The cost of the exhibits, freight, and installation was approximately $10,000, and the expenses of the commission extant during the exposition was estimated at $5,000.

This brought up the expenditure to the amount appropriated by the Guatemalan Government for the expenses of the exhibit.

The exhibit was authorized by a decree issued by the President of Guatemala appointing the commission to represent the Government at the St. Louis Universal Exposition, dated the 7th of April, 1904, which reads as follows:

The const.i.tutional President of the Republic has resolved that the official representation of Guatemala at the Universal Exposition of St.

Louis shall be in charge of the legation of this Republic at Was.h.i.+ngton, D.C., and designates Mr. Carlos F. Irigoyen as special commissioner to be in charge of the exhibition, and appoints Mr. Manuel M. Jiron as attendant to the commission and to have charge of the degustation of our coffee. Mr. Jiron shall receive orders from the special commissioner, who in turn shall receive his instructions from the minister of fomento.

HAITI.

_Members of Haiti commission._--Mr. J.N. Leger, president; Mr. Edmond Roumain, commissioner-general; Mr. Joseph Duque, commissioner; Mr. Price Mars, commissioner.

The partic.i.p.ation of the Government of Haiti in the Louisiana Purchase Exposition was decided by the deliberation of the ministerial council, presided over by the President of the country. The decision was taken previously in 1901, under the former government of Gen. Tiresias Simon Sam, and maintained by the actual government of Gen. Nord Alexis, in February and March of this year. The amount of the appropriation by the Haitian Government spent in its exhibit was $50,000.

Haiti unfortunately arrived too late at the fair to construct a special building, but installed excellent exhibits in the Forestry, Fish, and Game Building and in the Palace of Mines and Metallurgy.

The Haitian exhibit at the World's Fair was located in the southwestern section of the Forestry, Fish, and Game Building, next the California exhibit, and covered a s.p.a.ce of 30 by 75 feet. In the center was a beautiful pavilion in which the following species of native woods were represented: Mahogany, Santa Maria, tacha, rosewood, and tavernon. The woods most used in the construction were mahogany and Santa Maria. Most of the panels and all of the columns were made of these two woods, and they blended in such a manner that they looked as if they were one and the same wood. The other varieties were used in the smaller decorations.

The object in making the pavilion was to show the native cabinet woods of Haiti, especially that of Santa Maria, a wood which very much resembles mahogany. Four columns of the pavilion were made of Santa Maria, one of mahogany, and one partly of each. In the pavilion were served coffee and cocoa, native products.

Just at the rear of the pavilion was a display of imported liquors and sirups from the land of Haiti, including anisette, maraschuino, repikes, creme de menthe, sirup d'orfeat, sirup de granadine, and creme de cocoa; also triple-distilled bay rum and rum of good quality from four distilleries in Haiti. On either side were gla.s.s cases in which were shown other interesting exhibits. First a collection of cigars and of beeswax in molds. Next a sectional case containing, samples of cotton mapon, used for the filling of mattresses and pillows. Then the cocoa bean; also coffee taken from the cherry, peanuts, sugar from the sugar cane, and bottled honey. In the next case were hides, leather, and a collection of fine shoes made in Haiti. Next to this case was a display of coffee beans and an interesting exhibit of hats made from palm leaves and corn husks. The chairs were made from the osier, or water willow. In the rear was a cabin made from the natural woods imported from Haiti.

The roof was covered with palm leaves. The entrance was draped with an American flag on the, left and the red and blue flag of Haiti on the right. This Haitian; flag was made entirely by hand. In the interior was a fine collection of hand-carved vases, pedestals, mortar and pestles, bowls, urns, and tobacco boxes.

HONDURAS.

_Members of Honduras commission_.--Mr. Salvador Cordova, commissioner-general; Mr. Howard S. Reed, executive commissioner; Mr.

Alejandro Bauer, a.s.sistant commissioner.

In the Palace of Agriculture, surrounded by a tropical bower of graceful palms and thousands of yards of long gray Spanish moss, was shown a collective exhibit of the wondrous and little known country of Honduras, Central America. Upon all sides the visitor was confronted by most curious and interesting samples of its varied resources. Crowds were constantly gathered about the rubber tree with its white, milk-like sap, and everyone seemed interested in the great bales of dried raw rubber, while questions, opinions, and discussions were many regarding this little known raw product. Even the great scarlet and blue macaw, from his high perch overhead, joined in with wild screeches when the crowds got too noisy.

Curious bales of sarsaparilla wrapped in white cowhide, great cl.u.s.ters of cocoanuts in their thick hulls, long tables with hundreds of specimens of dug plants and medicinal barks and roots, attracted curious crowds. The banana bulbs and stalks, 20 feet high, eleven months'

growth, with the fruit which they had produced, gave the visitor an idea of what is possible by systematic culture, as a banana plantation with the proper care will produce fifty-two crops a year, which means a cutting every week. The consumption of the banana has increased with greater rapidity than any other fruit, and it occupies a position second to none as a food and fruit. The sarsaparilla in its original packing case was unique, and it represented its share in the country's exportations. Honduras sarsaparilla has taken the highest award at the last five expositions.

The cocoanut in its fibrous hull was a surprise to many, as the market shows them only clear of the hull. It is said that each cocoanut tree in Honduras averages about 365 nuts a year, or a nut each day. Brazil nuts were shown, with their hard outside sh.e.l.l, in which some 15 to 20 of the nuts are closely packed.

Of the 400 specimens of cabinet woods which were displayed, only about 100 are known to commercial uses; the rest are awaiting development. In this exhibit were the woods which neither burn nor float. Lignum-vitae, which is one of the heaviest woods known to science, and used extensively in the manufacture of mallets, etc., was displayed; also the San Juan wood, which has lately been discovered, and is found extensively on the coast. This wood is practically non-combustible, and is said to be the coming wood for car building, furniture, and interior finis.h.i.+ng, being susceptible of a high polish. The mahogany, for which Honduras is noted, was shown in many varieties, as were rosewood, redwood, hard pine, cedar, etc.

The exhibit of native drug plants received special recognition. Among other herbs were the Peruvian and cinchona-bark quinine, rhubarb, vegetable wax, and many others unknown to science. Sugar planters were astounded at the cane only three months old and 12 feet high, grown without cultivation, and stalks were exhibited 24 feet high of twelve months' growth. At present there is not a sugar refinery in the country.

The ores exhibited were many specimens of quartz and placer gold, silver, lead, copper, and magnetic iron, of which there is practically an inexhaustible supply. The work of the natives was shown in hats, baskets, hammocks, etc., being of a high order of perfection. Many of the finest panama hats are made by the Indians in Honduras. The different kinds of sisal and hemp shown were p.r.o.nounced by manufacturers to be of the very highest grade.

Many people, when the name Honduras, Central America, is mentioned, think of a far-away land untrodden by man. As a matter of fact, it was pointed out that it is not as far from New Orleans to Honduras as it is from St. Louis to either New York or Boston.

HUNGARY.

Several causes prevented an appropriation by Parliament for Hungary's partic.i.p.ation at the Universal Exposition held in St. Louis; consequently the royal Hungarian minister of commerce, anxious that Hungary should be represented at the Congress of Nations in St. Louis, decided to furnish a sufficient sum out of funds at his disposal to make this partic.i.p.ation possible.

Acting upon this decision, he appointed George de Szogyeny, LL.D., at that time commissioner of commerce, and accredited to the State Department in Was.h.i.+ngton, D.C., as commissioner-general, and commissioned the Hungarian Society of Fine Arts and the Hungarian Society of Applied Arts to arrange the exhibits in the Fine Arts Building and to arrange for the exhibit of applied arts.

The Hungarian Society of Applied Arts sent Paul Horti as its representative. Mr. Paul Horti is a well known art critic of Hungary.

Mr. R.E. Rombauer was also a member of the commission.

The cost of Hungary's partic.i.p.ation was approximately 200,000 crowns.

The value of exhibits was as follows:

Fine arts, 150,000 crowns; applied arts in the Manufactures Building, 600,000 crowns. There were other individual exhibits scattered through the palaces of Agriculture, Mines and Metallurgy, and Education, but they represented only a small value.

EAST INDIA.

The government of India and the provincial governments of Bengal, a.s.sam, and Mysore jointly contributed the sum of 105,000 rupees (equivalent to about $35,000), and the Indian Tea a.s.sociation, Indian Tea Cess Committee, and the United Planters' a.s.sociation of southern India, contributed 90,000 rupees (equal to about $30,000) for the erection of a building and expenses attendant on the work of the exhibition proper, which was designed to promote and encourage the use of India tea and coffee in America. When it was decided that India should take part in the exhibition, exhibitors of Indian manufactures, for whom no s.p.a.ce had been reserved in the exhibition palaces, were referred by the government of India, the exhibition authorities, and by the British royal commission to the commissioners in charge, and their exhibits, together with those made of tea, coffee, cardamoms, and pepper, were installed in the government building and formed practically the entire exhibit from India.

Mr. R. Blechynden was the only executive officer appointed for East India. F.C. Williams, of New York, was subsequently appointed as honorary a.s.sistant commissioner.

The exhibit would not have been made but for the urgent request of those representing the tea interests, through the Bengal Chamber of Commerce, and it was intended primarily and mainly for the exploitation of Indian teas in America, thus finding a wider market for their use. In addition to the erection of a building and the serving of tea in liquid form to the visitors at a nominal charge, a considerable fund was set apart for advertising the merits of these teas in the Middle West. Part of this sum was expended during the continuance of the exhibition, and the work was all coordinated and in the hands of the commissioner. The exploitation may continue for several years. Advertis.e.m.e.nts have appeared in newspapers in St. Louis, Omaha, Chicago, Columbus, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Louisville, and many other smaller towns. The aggregate of expenditure in the next few years will be much more than set apart for the exhibition.

All of the East India exhibits were contributed by individuals and were confined to the East India Building, but were grouped under the heads of art, liberal arts, manufactures, and agriculture.