Army and Navy Review 1915 Panama-California Edition - Balboa Park

On the Isthmus
at the Panama-California
Exposition
“WAR OF T H E W ORLDS”
The loftiest and most conspicuous building on the “Isthmus” is the one which
houses that great extravaganza known under the somewhat misleading cognomen of the
“W ar of the Worlds.” This is an electrical and mechanical exhibition given on the largest
stage in the world, at an initial cost of about $100,000. The scene is taken from the
work of the same name written by Frederick Robinson, and is staged with extraordinary
accuracy and care as to detail, embodying most of the best features of other spectacular
extravaganzas with many others entirely new in type.
The scene is laid in New York harbor in the year 2000, and portrays a celebration
on July Fourth in which men-of-war of the nations of the world participate. A portion
of the visiting fleet returns silently in the early morning of July 5, after their departure
the previous evening, and treacherously attacks the city, which is eventually destroyed,
though the American fleet and airships succeed in wiping out the hostile men-of-war
and aerial craft.
The Show is attractive from every point of view and is winning the heartiest commendations
from all visitors to the Exposition. It is not so terrifying, by any means,
as its name would indicate, but is none the less thrilling and surpasingly beautiful. Its
management emphasizes the fact that it does not depict the horrors of war.
It is not moving pictures, but employs real ships and aerial craft, using real guns.
The perspective is so accurate as to lead visitors to think they are looking upon an actual
harbor and ocean scene.
The Oriental Joy Garden is composed of a combination of Japanese Games and
Displays. On the right-hand side as you enter the garden, is located the Tokio Cafe,
where you can sit amidst Oriental splendor and enjoy Oriental dishes—Chop Suey,
Noodles, etc., as well as American dishes. Don’t fail to visit the concessions on the
inside where all the interesting Japanese games are found.