St Ignatius College - Ignatian Yearbook (San Francisco, CA)

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THE WAR AND THE EXPOSITION 13 an exception? Would these people come to San Francisco in preference to Europe? I hardly think this could be ex- pected if there were at present no war in Europe. In the first place the Atlantic steamship rates would be at a mini- mum figure as a result of the possibility of increased Expo- sition travel from all points in the United States to San Francisco, This reduction would be made by the Steamship companies as a special inducement to draw these people to Europe. But where are these people now? Surely not in Europe. No, the war has diverted thousands of them from the Old World to San Francisco's lfVonderland, and they are right here now, spending their money and aiding the whole world in an effort to make the Exposition a fitting and worthy tribute to the gigantic task which it celebrates. To verify this statement it is only necessary to consult the record-breaking figures for railroad travel and hotel regis- tration, and in answer to those who claim that these Eastern visitors are in such a minority that they should not be con- sidered, it is only necessary to ask the question, Why were the American railroads spending thousands of dollars on their See America First propaganda? Simply because they realize the ever-increasing strength of the tendency of visiting Europe on the part of a large number of Easterners. Another important point to be noted in favor of our con- tention is this: The countries of Central and South Amer- ica, quick to realize the new alignment of trade following the war, have entered the Exposition with a vigor and a zeal that has surprised the whole world. Nations making little or no appropriations before the war are now spending thou- sands of dollars in order that they may have an unrivaled exhibit and a large representation to proclaim to the world their rapid strides in progressive commerce and industry. Do you think that this could have been possible if Germany and England had officially exhibited at the Fair? No. These nations, with their superior wealth and prestige, would have

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Ellyn mar aah the Expnnitinn 16 -we H4 All 636 Francisco, with 'fi -' fx s W E1 if f F GURTEEN months ago the Panama Canal was completed. Universally recognized as man's most audacious correction of nature's work, it was only fitting and proper that this achievement should receive a tribute worthy of its greatness. The people of San characteristic initiative, asked that they be allowed to assume this responsibility and Congress granted their request to the satisfaction of the whole nation. And now, thanks to San Francisco's progressiveness and courage, we have one of the most beautiful, one of the most popular, and one of the most successful expositions that will ever go clown in the pages of history. But despite the fact that we know from official state- ments and figures that our Exposition has attained a record before which all precedents pale and wither, there are some people who are of the opinion that the original purport and plans of the Exposition have been materially impaired as a result of the far-reaching effects of the present war. But from the viewpoint of those who have investigated the ques- tion, this opinion has absolutely no justification, and further- more, those who look into the facts find that the European war, cruel and destructive as it might be, has proved rather a benefit than a detriment to the Exposition in every partic- ular necessary to its completion and its ultimate success. In the first place let us consider the great numbers of people who leave here annually to spend the summer in Europe. It has always been so. The wealthier classes of the Eastern cities have always looked to Europe for their source of culture and amusement, and a trip to the Old VVorld is the very soul and stimulant of their ambition. In consequence of this tendency a season rarely passes which fails to draw thousands of our American people to the num- berless attractions of Europe. VVould the year 1915 prove

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14 IGNATIAN occupied the foremost places of dignity and honor, and the present success and enthusiasm of the Southern nations would have been impossible. The attitude taken by Argentine Re- public, for instance, bears out this statement. Before the war Argentine's appropriation was one million, but one week after the news had reached her of the war conditions in Europe it was increased to one million seven hundred thou- sand, and every other country not only in Central and South America but even the nations of japan and Holland fol- lowed her example. Another important point to be noted, however, is this: History shows that the nation in which a fair is held is the main factor in its support. The hundred million people of the United States are the people who are expected to make this Exposition a success, and we can see by our wonderful attendance figures that they are certainly sufficient. Conse- quently, foreign attendance has always been regarded as a mere accident, and it is acknowledged by experts that it comprises such a very small percentage of the total attend- ance that it should be entirely disregarded. But some, although they grant and admit that the Expo- sition has been an undreamed-of success in every particular, claim that it would be still more successful if Europe were now at peace. They contend that the foreign visitors would help to swell the attendance figures and that it would widen the racial scope of the Exposition. To this contention there is but one final and convincing answer: If the Exposition would be more successful if it were not for the war, why is it that the great Chicago and St. Louis expositions did not even approach the records set up by our Fair? Were there any wars or disturbances during these fairs? There was perfect peace and even better times then, You will notice, nevertheless, that the Chicago Exposition just cleared her debt and delinquent dividends about two years ago, and the St. Louis Exposition, though not quite as bad, may be