القرن التاسع عشر ، رقم ١٨٢، أبريل ١٨٩٢ [ظ‎‎٣‎٧] (٢٤٤/٧٩)

564
THE NINETEENTH
April
lessons we have taught them, and are bettering our example. At
Paris in 1889, Belgium, for instance, had an exhibit of the highest
class, and many of the firms who took part in it are believed to have
gained thereby considerable increase in their business. Germany,
of course, held aloof in 1889, but her manufacturers are all the keener
to take advantage of the opportunity of 1893. They, too, have an
eye on the South American trade, and believe they see their way
to picking up customers at Chicago. The grant made by the German
Government is just double that given by ours, and the German
exhibitors are by so much in a more favourable position than ours.
Instead of having to contribute to the cost of general administration,
they will no doubt be liberally assisted both directly and indirectly.
The funds are at the disposal of a most capable and energetic
administrator, Herr Adolphe Wermuth, who gained deserved credit
by the success he made of the German Section at the last Melbourne
Exhibition. The action likely to be taken by France seems as yet
uncertain. If reports are to be trusted, the prospect of an important
contribution from thence seem less favourable now than they did
a while ago; but with the amount proposed, 120,000^., the French
Section ought to be magnificent. Mexico is believed to have made
the largest subvention of any, 150,000?. ; Brazil next, with 120,000?.;
then Japan, which promises 100,000?. According to the latest
statements, foreign Governments have already promised an aggregate
sum of over three-quarters of a million sterling for their commissions
at Chicago, and information cannot be available yet from very many
of the countries likely to take a part.
And the competition (if in this connection it is right to use the
woid) will come, not only from other countries, but from our own
colonies. The colonies have already voted sums equal in the aggre
gate to some 100,000?., and during the next three or four months we
shall certainly hear of these amounts being largely increased. Canada
and New South W ales are arranging to send large contributions, so is
the Cape. Victoria has lately announced her intention of taking
pait in the exhibition, and in considering with the other Australian
colonies the question of a joint Australian exhibit. Tasmania pro
poses to fill a considerable space. The West Indian colonies have had
the matter in hand for a long while, and many of the small colonies
also intend to be represented. The Indian Government at present
is, most unfortunately, disinclined to participate, and no doubt the
trade in Indian tea and textiles will suffer in consequence. India
has, however, been called upon for very many contributions to pre
vious exhibitions, and though Indian commerce has profited, the
price paid was unduly high. The energetic people of Ceylon are
taking a different view, and are making preparations already to push
their tea strenuously into American markets.
But severe as the friendly rivalry will be, there seems no reason