NEXT WORLD'S FAIR IN UNITED STATES.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLII, Issue 247, 17 October 1908, Page 7

NEXT WORLD'S FAIR IN UNITED STATES.

[Specially contributed to The Mablboeough Bxpbess by Frank Merricki J

The eves of the world are now turned toward the next world's fair, the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition, which will be held at Seattle, U.S.A., opening June 1 and closing October,, 1909. This exposition, which will be* the second one held on. the Pacific Coast of North America, will be an international industrial and commercial exposition, and will have cost the sum of $10,000,000 when its gates are opened. It will not celebrate any particular event, and will, therefore, not depend upon historical sentiment for its success. Its purpose is to exploit the resources and potentialities of Alaska and Yukon, and to make known and foster the vast importance of the commerce of the Pacific Ocean and of the countries bordering thereon.

Alaska, which was purchased bythe United States from Russia in 1867 lor/the sum of $7,200,000 (about two cents an acre), is a land of great resources and possibilities. The prevailing conception of the territory is that it is nothing but a land of ice, snow and gold. The same is true of Yukon, which belongs to the Dominion pf Canada. Although the wealth of these countries has only been scratched on the surface they have yielded millions of dollars' worth of gold, furs, fish and other valuable products. Besides these resources there are others that are only beginning to be developed, and although it may be surprising to those who are not acquainted with conditions in the Northland, agriculture is included in them. The United States Government has been carrying on- experiments in agriculture, cattle-rais-ing, -and dairying, and it has been found that Alaska has great agricultural possibilities. It is ' estimated that in time the territory will be able to support a population of 3.000,000 persons. It is partly for the purpose of showing the\Northland in its true light before the world, that the 19^9 Exposition will be held. Equally important in the plan and scope of the Pacific world's fair is the bringing of the shores of the Pacific Ocean closer together commercially tlirough the exhibits from the different nations. It is thought that after the Exposition the merchants and producers of each section will be better acquainted with the needs and desires of those of the other sections.

Seattle, where, the Exposition will be. held, is one of the great commercial ports of the world. It is the gateway to Alaska and the Orient. It has grown more rapidly in the last few rears than any other American city, and now has a population of 275,000. It is called the New York of the Pacific Coast, and at the rate it is developing there seems to be no doubt but what in future years it will equal that city in size. Much interest is being taken in the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition in the United States and in many foreign countries. Uncle Sam has given his sanction to the world's fair, and will expend the sum of $600,000 in his participation. There are five buildings in the Government group, namely, Main Government, Alaska, Hawaii, Philippines and the Fisheries. There will contain the most comprehensive displays the GovernHeports from commissioners in foreign lands indicate that the merchants and manufacturers of the nations are going to exhibit on a large scale. Official invitations for the nations to take part have been transmitted to the different Governments through the United States Department of State, and assurances have been given that the majority of these will be accepted. No other exposition was further advanced at a corresponding stage than is the Pacific World's Fair, Buildings of surpassing beauty and grace are finished or nearing completion, and the Exposition will be complete in every detail on its opening day. Besides the Government group there are the following large structures :—Manufactures, Agriculture, Machinery, Transportation, Foreign, Mines, Fisheries, Auditorium, and Fine Arts. Around these cluster the Administration group, State and foreign pavilions, smaller pseudo exhibit structures and the concessions buildings. All of the above-mention-ed buildings are practically finished, with still many months in which to build- j v. 'i. The Exposition grounds have been pronounced by competent authority as, scenically, the finest ever utilised for such a purpose. Set between two beautiful fresh-water lakes, Union on one side and Washington on the other, the grounds present unsurpassed stretches of water front, and tall stately giants of the forest, entrancing vistas, gentle slopes and commanding terraces add to the beauty of the picture. That whitecloaked sentinel Mount Rainier, the highest peak in the United States, proper, rising to a height of 14,526 feet, is in plain view from the grounds, as is likewise Mount Baker, another formidable peak, and the snow-covered Olympic range. . About fifteen States of the Union will have buildings and exhibits, and even the counties in some of the commonwealths will erect structures, which shows the great interest there is in the success of the enterprise. The amusement section of the Ji/x----position, known at Chicago as the Midway, at St. Louis as the Pike, at Portland as the Trail, and as Jamestown as the Warpath, will be known at Seattle as the Pay Streak, a term well known to miners in all countries, and especially to those Avho have worked along the Pacific Coast ant in Alaska. Thirty large, new and meritorious attractions have been arranged for the Pay Streak. | Thousands of applications for exhibit space have been received from all over the world, and the exhibit palaces will be filled to the state ot overflowing with interesting displays. Life, colour, demonstration and motion will be the chief characteristics of all exhibits. In addition to the sights to bo seen at the Exposition there is the beautiful surrounding western country and Alaska. By taking side trips and by stopping off en route to and from Seattle, the visitors will be enabled to enjoy some of the finest scenery in the world, such that equals and in some places excels that of Switzerland and other places in the world.

The climate of Seattle and the Pacific North-west is admirably adapted for the holding of an exposition. Visitors will experience no unpleasant weather, as this section does not suffer any great extremes in heat or cold. In the summer the temperature rarely reaches 90 degrees, and in winter it never goes as low as zero. The annual mean temperature is 51.4 degrees, and the annual rainfall averages 37.65 inches.

The Exposition being held in three summer months and two and a-half fall months, the visitor will at all times have pleasant weather. Experienced exposition men state that in the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition the United States has a world's fair tltat promises to be an unoualified success, educationally, artistically and financially.