of the Insular Bureau, Col. Clarence R.
Edwards, the Secretary, with great zeal and effectiveness, addressed
himself to the task of securing appropriate representation for the
Philippine people.

The administrative work was placed in charge of Dr. W.P. Wilson, of the
Philadelphia Museum. A more appropriate selection of an executive
officer could not have been made. Industrious, painstaking, and devoted,
Doctor Wilson threw all his energy and superior ability into the task
assigned him.

In Dr. Gustavo Neiderlein and Mr. Edmund A. Felder, Doctor Wilson had
able and faithful lieutenants. Through the combined efforts of such
competent and devoted men the Philippine exposition was developed into a
revelation of world-wide interest.

The extremes of civilization found in the Philippine Islands were
exhibited upon the grounds. The industrial conditions existing in the
islands in their various stages of progress were clearly set forth. The
millions of visitors who were interested and instructed by this
remarkable exhibit must have been deeply impressed with the importance
and extent of our new possessions in the Orient.

It is quite impossible to compute the value to the American people of
this Philippine exhibit. In giving to the country the basis upon which
to form a just conception of the character and possibilities of our new
possessions the Philippine department alone fully justified the interest
of the nation in the Louisiana Purchase Exposition.

The official report of the Philippine exhibit, filed with the records of
the Commission, is replete with interest and will justify careful
perusal.

REPORTS OF FOREIGN COUNTRIES.

The response of foreign governments and peoples to the invitation of the
President of the United States was in every way most gratifying. For an
adequate description of the manner and extent of foreign participation
in the exposition, reference must be made to the reports of the
respective commissioners to their governments, copies of which are filed
with this report.

The Commission, desiring to tersely review the exhibits of the various
countries, called upon their several representatives for a brief
statement of the nature and extent of their exhibits. The responses
received convey but a meager idea of the great display made, but a
perusal of the epitomized reports will serve to convey an outline of the
exhibits made and the buildings constructed.

Condensed summaries of these report