Then Captain Baker appealed to Ambassador Myron T.Herrick.Although the ambassador was enthusiastic for the Exposition, he said that, in such a crisis, he could not ask France to spend the four hundred thousand dollars set apart for use in San Francisco.Captain Baker said: "Don't you think if France came in at this time a wonderfully sympathetic effect would be created all over the United States?" The ambassador replied, "I do." "Wouldn't you like to see France participate?" The ambassador declared that he would."Will you say so to Mr.Tirman?" The ambassador said, "Willingly."A week later Baker and Tirman were on their way to Bordeaux to see Gaston Thomson, Minister of Commerce.They made these proposals: The exhibits should be carried by the Jason through the canal to San Francisco; the building of the French Pavilion should be undertaken by the Division of Works of the Exposition, on specification to be cabled to San Francisco of the frame work, the moulds for the columns and architectural ornaments to be prepared in France and shipped by express;the French committee of organization was to work in France among possible exhibitors; a statement was to be made to the ministry of what each department of the government could do in sending exhibits and what exhibits were ready; a statement should come from the Minister of Fine Arts as to how much space he could occupy and how many paintings could be secured for the Palace of Fine Arts; a complete representation of the Department of Historical Furniture and Tapestries, known as the Garde Meuble, was to be made for the pavilion.
In the interview with the Minister of Commerce Baker argued that, without France, an Exposition could not be international, and that the participation of France at this time, with her flag flying in San Francisco, would be like winning a battle before the world.It would show the people of the United States France's gratitude for the money sent the wounded and the suffering, and would warm the hearts of the American people.
Thomson responded with enthusiasm, and soon the government became enthusiastic.Several thousand dollars were spent in cabling; Henri Guillaume, the distinguished French architect, experienced in many expositions, was sent out.When the Jason stopped at Marseilles it took, on board one of the most remarkable collections of art treasures ever shipped to a foreign country, the finest things in one of the world's great storehouses of treasure, including even the priceless historical tapestries, and a large collection of French paintings for the Fine Arts Palace, gathered by the French committee after great labor, due to the absence of many of the painters in the war.
When Captain Baker left France he had accomplished far more for the Exposition than he realized himself.Reports of his success in securing French participation preceded him to Italy and helped to prepare the way.The Italians listened to his proposition, all the more willingly because France had been won over.Besides, he had a warm supporter in Ernesto Nathan, ex-Mayor of Rome, who had paid an extended visit to San Francisco and had become an enthusiastic champion of the Exposition.In a few days he had made arrangements that led to the collection of the splendid display of Italian art, shipped on the Vega, together with many commercial exhibits.Captain Bakers work in France and in Italy, accomplished within three weeks, was a triumph of diplomacy.
Foreign Participation in GeneralGermany was not to be completely over-shadowed by France notwithstanding previous indifference on the part of the government.German manufacturers wished to be represented, and they actually received governmental encouragement.Austrians, not to be outdone by Italy, unofficially came in.In fact, despite the war, every country had some representation, England and Scandinavia and Switzerland included, even if they did not have official authority.
There are those who maintain that, in spite of criticism, the Fine Arts Department is now making a better showing than it could have made if there had been no war.American collectors, with rare canvases, were persuaded to help in the meeting of the emergency by lending work that, otherwise, they would have kept at home.It was thought that many of the Europeans would be glad to send their collections to this country for safe keeping during war time.But such proved not to be the case.A good deal of concern was felt about sending the treasures on so long a journey, subject to the hazards of attack by sea.Furthermore, from the European point of view, San Francisco seemed far away.
