File No. 1636.
[Untitled]
Washington, September 16, 1908.
To the diplomatic officers of the United States.
Gentlemen: I transmit herewith an invitation extended to the Government and people of the country of your residence by the management of the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition, to be held at the city of Seattle, in the State of Washington, from June 1 to October 16, 1909, to take part therein and to be represented by “official commissioners and an adequate display of the arts, sciences, and industries and a State building.”
I also transmit a folder1 giving the plan and scope of the exposition and an official classification of exhibits,1 which have been furnished by the management to accompany the invitation.
In transmitting the invitation to the Government to which it is addressed, you will make it clear that the invitation comes from the management of the exposition and not from the Government of the United States, which would, however, be glad to learn that the exposition [Page 5] is considered of such importance by the invited Government as to warrant its acceptance of the invitation. And you may add that while the exposition will not be under the auspices or control of the Government of the United States, the Congress of the United States has made liberal provision for the participation of the Government in the exposition and has provided for the admission, free of the payment of duties, customs fees, or charges, of all articles that shall be imported from foreign countries for the sole purpose of exhibition at the exposition.
The provisions of the sundry civil appropriation act approved May 27, 1908, relating to the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition are herewith inclosed for the further information of the invited Government.
I am, etc.,
Acting Secretary.