Show 7 inc fer oo 00 0 with the erection of government buildings on the exposition grounds at quito the first steps are being taken toward the active fulfilling ot the pro of the presidential decree of october 1907 whereby it was decided that ecuador should celebrate the centenary of her independence by holding a national exposition in the summer of 1909 the palace or ecuador s government building is to have a frontage of 86 meters feet and a height of 30 meters 98 feet to the apex of the ornamental cupola the building Is to be reached through a wide outer court or atrium paved with porphyry and decorated with majolica which staircases ascend leaving the center tree and giving access to in inner court A large apartment in the center of the building is to be used for official receptions while the spa HON ERNEST H WANDS Corri miss oner general of the united states to the nat onal expo sit on of ecuador clous rooms and hallways extending on both sides will afford ample accod for the exhibits the french exhibit Is to be installed in one of the tour great halls and in the gardens back of the main building are two pavilions one to be devoted to the colombian exhibit and the oth ed to the fine arts exhibition the decorative sculpture including representations of ehte republic agil culture and industry a group symbolic of victory as well as numerous other statues and ornamental figures in high and low relief are to be the work ot prof libero valente of the school of fine arts who with his pupils as si stance will embellish the structure with paintings and statuary il lustra alve ot the national life of ecuador the plans of the buildings are the work of the eminent portuguese artist mr raul maria assisted by prof val ente and mr francisco manrique dl rector general of public works all of whom are enthusiastic workers in be half of the exposition the commiss oner of the united states is mr ernest H wands who on account of the resumption of of duties on the part of hon W W russell united states minister to venezuela has been assigned to the charge of united states participation in the exposition mr wands will during his preliminary vis t to quito provide for the erection of the build ass faw bucon ing for a united states exhibit it is proposed that this building shall be modeled after the white house at washington and a prominent location will be given it in the general plan of the grounds the shipment of the united states exhibit will probably be made about the end of may and a generous appropriation by the govern ment has evidenced the interest ta ken in the event among other nations whose Is assured are france to whom has been assigned a section 0 the exposition palace colombia whose pavilion will be in accord with the general architectural plan and peru gen eloy alfaro the president of ecuador is actively interested in the success of the exposition and the corn having the various branches of work in charge are enthusiastic as to the outlook exhibits are to be made of the for est pastoral agricultural mineral and fishery resources of the country while tl e industrial development of the country la to be shown in the display of manufactured products railroad equipment and commercial opportunities historical and artistic features of international value are td be provided and literary interest is tc be stimulated by prizes for essays on patriotic and historical subjects to which all nationalities may compete the exposition wll be divided inta the following departments 1 public instruction and fine arts 2 belles lettres scientific and industrial lit grature 3 agriculture 4 indus tries 5 mining and fisheries 6 flora fauna mineralogy archaeology and history although this fair is essentially na foreign governments or ex atho wish to participate there in voluntarily will be cordially wel corned |