The largest Italian displays were in the Fine Arts, the Manufactures, and the Agriculture buildings.  The paintings and the sculptures exhibited were sufficient to give an idea of the modern art in Italy.  They were all quite recent, with the exception of some pictures exhibited as loan, which were painted before the Chicago Exposition.  The largest and most important art societies of Italy took a great interest in the exposition, but lack of time prevented the artists from preparing special works to be exhibited.  The spirit of modern Italian art was individual, all working for the development of a national art.  Among the sculptures were Monteverde, Fontana, Origo, and Romanelli.  Among the painters, Previati, Rizzi, Mancini, Gioli, Morbelli, Dall’Oca Bianca Laurenti, Ciardi, Fattori de Karolis, Nomellini, Gelli, etc.

In the Manufactures Building the exhibits of carved wood furniture was displayed, together with ceramics, pottery, marble, bronzes, silks, textiles, laces, embroideries, paving bricks, and many other exhibits of great importance.  Among the show cases was a large and artistic one, in which was exhibited the silk factories’ display.

In the Agriculture Building Italy had a large display of samples of the many kinds of wines and olive oils it produces, and there was a large display of seeds sent by the department of agriculture.

In the Mines Building a beautiful collection of marbles and sulphur showed the wealth of the under-soil resources of Italy.

The photographs, the plans, and the maps of the electrical power houses and diverting works for the production of electricity in the Electricity Building attracted many visitors.

In the Transportation Building the Rete Mediterranes, one of the railroads that operates in Italy, exhibited the electrical system used on some of its lines.

One of the best and most important Italian exhibits was in the Educational and Social Economy Building.  In both these lines Italy stood among the most progressive nations in the world.  The results of the schools, the people’s banks and savings banks, and the mutual help societies were an excellent demonstration.

In the Liberal Arts were to be seen musical instruments, books, and products of the paper factories.

Corals, cameos, and mosaics were exhibited in the Varied Industries Building, and some of them were remarkable works of art.

JAPAN.

On July 10, 1903, an imperial ordinance for the organization of the imperial Japanese commission to the Louisiana Purchase Exposition was issued by the Mikado to the effect that the imperial commission to the Louisiana Purchase Exposition should be under the supervision of the minister of state for agriculture and commerce, and should deal with all the matters relating to the participation of the Japanese Empire in the Louisiana Purchase Exposition; that the imperial commission should consist of the following: