Mr. Peirce to Mr.
Hay.
Embassy
of the United States,
St.
Petersburg, February 13,
1899.
No. 249.]
Sir: Referring to Mr. Hitchcock’s No. 238 of
January 21 in relation to a proposed exhibition of American machinery
and other products illustrative of the progress of industry in the
United States, I have the honor to inclose herewith copy and translation
of the reply of the Imperial Government to Mr. Hitchcock’s note on the
subject, copy of
[Page 596]
which was
inclosed in his No. 238, and of my note of this date, pointing out that
the proposition was not to hold here a permanent American exposition but
to exhibit for a brief space of time such products as would illustrate
America’s industrial progress.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure
1—Translation.]
Count Lamsdorff
to Mr. Peirce.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Second
Department,
St.
Petersburg, January 29 (o. s.) 1899.
Monsieur le Chargé d’affaires: The minister
of finance, to whom I have not failed to transmit the note of
January 8 (20) last, has seriously considered Mr. Hitchcock’s
proposition of establishing a permanent exposition of American
products either at St. Petersburg or Moscow.
Mr. Witte has, in theory, no objections to raise against the
organization of such an exposition. At the same time he does not
find it possible, for reasons of commercial politics, to grant
special favors for the importation of objects to be exhibited. As
for what concerns the location of the ground necessary for the
buildings of the exposition the organizers should address themselves
to the respective municipalities.
Accept, etc.
[Inclosure 2.]
Mr. Peirce to
Count Lamsdorff.
Embassy of the United States,
St. Petersburg, February 1 (13), 1899.
Your Excellency: I have the honor to
acknowledge the receipt of your note of January 29, referring to the
question of a proposed exposition of American machinery, etc., to be
held in either St. Petersburg or Moscow.
In regard to this matter there appears to have been a
misunderstanding on the part of the Imperial Government as to the
proposition submitted by Mr. Hitchcock which I hasten to correct.
The purpose was not to establish here a permanent exposition, as
stated in your note above referred to, but to exhibit here for a
brief space of time machinery and other products illustrative of the
progress of the United States.
I trust that this explanation, so materially modifying the
proposition as it appears to be understood by his excellency the
minister of finance, may permit of his acceding to such customs
privileges on behalf of the articles imported as would make the
exposition possible.
I avail myself, etc.,
