diff options
Diffstat (limited to '15452.txt')
| -rw-r--r-- | 15452.txt | 1805 |
1 files changed, 1805 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/15452.txt b/15452.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..5636cb4 --- /dev/null +++ b/15452.txt @@ -0,0 +1,1805 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Great Round World And What Is Going On +In It, Vol. 1, No. 22, April 8, 1897, by Various + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Great Round World And What Is Going On In It, Vol. 1, No. 22, April 8, 1897 + A Weekly Magazine for Boys and Girls + +Author: Various + +Editor: Julia Truitt Bishop + + +Release Date: March 24, 2005 [EBook #15452] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE GREAT ROUND WORLD *** + + + + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Emmy, and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team. (www.pgdp.net) + + + + + + + + +[Illustration: THE GREAT ROUND +WORLD +AND WHAT IS GOING ON IN IT.] + + VOL. 1 APRIL 8, 1897. NO. 22 + + + * * * * * + +The President has sent his first message to Congress. In it he says that +he is very sorry to call an extra session of Congress, but he feels it his +duty to do so, because he finds the money affairs of the country in a very +bad condition, and thinks it is necessary for Congress to take some +immediate steps to find a remedy. + +It would seem that since June, 1893, the yearly, and even the monthly, +expenses of the country have been greater than the receipts. + +We all know what a statement of that sort means in our own homes and +families. It means that bankruptcy is coming, unless something be done to +prevent it. If a man spends more than he earns, he is obliged to borrow to +make up the difference; and when he can no longer borrow, he has to fail +and turn all he owns over to his creditors. + +This means that the people to whom he owes the money--his creditors, as +they are called--will take his home and his furniture, and everything he +possesses away from him, and divide it all up between them, and that he +must begin life again as best he can. + +Sometimes when a man has a good business that will enable him in time to +pay everything he owes, the creditors will allow him to keep his business +going taking the greater part of his earnings for his debts until he has +paid them all off. But whichever way his affairs are settled, the man who +owes money is the unhappy slave of his creditors until his last debts are +paid. + +The affairs of a country are precisely the same as those of an individual, +and President McKinley, understanding well what must happen unless some +change is made, is doing his best to save us from the unhappy position of +a poor debtor. + +He is prudently trying to stop the trouble before it gets the mastery of +us. + +A country is different from an individual in the fact that there are +certain expenses that are not exactly necessary, and yet which must be +provided for, for the honor of the country. A man who is in money +difficulties can cut down his expenses to the mere cost of food, house, +and clothes. In this way a man is better off than a country. But, on the +other hand, a man can only earn just so much money; he cannot force people +to buy his goods, or pay him better prices; he has to do the best he can +with what he can earn; while a country can, by taxes, force people to give +it the money it needs, and so it is better off than an individual. + +Some of the expenses of a country that must be met are the salaries of all +the officers who preserve law and order, the judges, soldiers, sailors, +and the police; the pensions of the old soldiers, and of their families; +the building of forts and warships, and of the guns to arm them; the +making and issuing of money, and the handling and delivering of letters. + +Enormous sums of money are necessary to meet these expenses, and they are +raised by taxes. A country has no right to spend more than it earns, any +more than a man has, but there may come times in the history of a country +when extra expenses are necessary, and then the Government taxes the +people to meet them. + +This is what President McKinley proposes to do now. + +The new tax proposed is to be a revenue tariff on all articles of foreign +manufacture that are brought into this country. + +The extra session of Congress is to consider, and, if possible, pass the +Tariff Bill, which it is desired shall go into effect May 1st of this +year. + +The bill is being introduced by Congressman Nelson Dingley of Maine, who +is Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee in the House of +Representatives. It is known as the Dingley Bill, and, it is said, will +increase the income of the Government over one hundred millions. + +It is said by people who are against the bill, that, if it passes, the +cost of living will become much greater. People who are in favor of it say +that by preventing goods of foreign manufacture from being brought into +the country, our own industries will greatly increase and our trade be +much benefited. + +There is one section of the bill which will make it very unpopular to many +of our citizens. + +This paragraph states that tourists and people visiting foreign countries +shall only be allowed to bring one hundred dollars' worth of wearing +apparel into the country free of duty. + +When you think that you can get little more than a whole change of +costume, hat, boots, and gloves complete, for a hundred dollars, and that +people who are rich enough to travel in foreign countries give three and +four times that sum for a single outfit, you can understand just how much +that paragraph is going to be liked. + +It is true that the law says that people may bring back with them the +articles they take away, provided they can prove that they took them out +of the country. But think of the worry and annoyance of arguing with the +Custom House officers as to where and when each garment in your trunk was +bought. + +If it goes into effect, this law will certainly prevent a great many +people from travelling, for the hours of heated argument with the +officials on the dock, on the traveller's return, would undo all the good +of their trip. + +The present Custom House system is about as trying to a person's nerves as +anything can be, and not a little of the trouble comes from the fact that +you must not show the slightest annoyance when the officer dives into your +trunk, and punches at the corner which contains your best hat, or feels in +the folds of a delicate silk skirt, leaving marks of dusty fingers behind +him. The least show of temper from you will result in the officer's +claiming his right to have the whole contents of your various trunks +dumped out on the wharf and repacked under his eye. + +It is to be hoped that the $100 paragraph may be changed; but with or +without it, it seems as if the passage of the Dingley Bill may be the best +thing for the country. + +The bill is called "An Act to provide revenue for the Government, and +encourage the industries of the United States." + + * * * * * + +The Powers have not sent any further word to Greece. + +They have been waiting to hear what France has to say. + +As we told you last week, the people of France were not willing to take +part in any severe measures against Greece; the Government was quite +willing, but dared not make any promises without the consent of the +Chamber of Deputies (the French Congress). + +The Powers decided to wait until the Prime Minister had had time to ask +the Chamber of Deputies if it was willing to support the Government. + +At the last meeting the Minister put the question to the Chamber--saying +that the Government had decided that the proper course for France would be +to remain in the concert of the Powers, and insist that Greece withdraw +her troops from Crete. + +Much discussion followed the Minister's speech. It had been expected that +the Chamber of Deputies would refuse, and insist upon a change in the +Government. To the surprise of everybody, a vote was passed, approving the +policy of the Government, and agreeing to uphold it. + +So France joins her voice with those of the other Powers, and calls on +Greece to give in. + +After the Chamber of Deputies adjourned, orders were sent to Toulon, a +seaport on the Mediterranean Sea, at the south of France, ordering +soldiers at once to Crete. + +[Illustration: Warships on the Harbor of the Piraeus Seaport of Athens.] + +The Admirals of the allied fleets have received orders to blockade the +ports of Crete; and if this fails to make the Greeks obedient to the +wishes of the Powers, the Piraeus and the ports of Greece are also to be +blockaded. + +On receipt of these orders the Admirals proceeded to put them into effect, +and the Cretan ports are now blockaded. + +It is said that the Greek fleet has withdrawn from Turkish waters. + +The Greek Cabinet Ministers had a very long and serious talk over the +present state of affairs. It was decided that on no account would the +Greek troops be withdrawn from Crete, and that if the Powers tried to +force Greece into obedience she must take active measures. + +These active measures are understood to mean the declaration of war +against Turkey. + +It is said that two bands of Thessalians have invaded Macedonia. + +Thessaly is that part of Greece which borders on Turkey, and Macedonia is +a part of the Turkish Empire bordering on Greece, that at one time formed +part of the Greek Empire. + +There are many Greeks in Macedonia, and if war is declared it is expected +that they will rise and go to the aid of their mother country. + +The invasion of Turkey by the Thessalians does not mean that war is +declared. It is merely a rising of the border peoples against their +neighbors, and has nothing to do with the Greek Government. + +The Crown Prince of Greece, Constantino, Duke of Sparta, is leaving +Athens, to take command of the Greek forces in Thessaly, and be ready to +lead them if war is declared. + +The news that the Greek ports are to be blockaded has made the Greeks +hasten their preparations. The troops are being hurried off to Thessaly +with all possible despatch. + +[Illustration: CRETAN SOLDIERS RETREATING INTO THE MOUNTAINS.] + +There are reports that the Greeks are so enraged against the Emperor of +Germany for his behavior over Crete, that the priests have openly said in +the churches that it is a great misfortune that the future King of Greece +is married to the sister of Greece's worst enemy. + +In 1889 the Crown Prince married the Princess Sophia of Germany, sister of +the young German Emperor. + +The Greek statesmen are openly urging the Prince to divorce his wife, +because of her relationship to the German Emperor. + +Does not this seem terrible! + +The Crown Prince and Princess have three children, the youngest a baby not +yet a year old. For the sake of politics the Greeks would like to have the +Crown Prince send his wife back to her own country, and separate her from +her children. + +It cannot be a happy thing to come of a race of kings, and be such a great +personage, that even the happiness of home must be sacrificed for the +interests of State. + + * * * * * + +Our friend Weyler is in a heap of trouble. + +It seems that affairs in the Philippines look worse for Spain than was at +first supposed. + +The Spanish troops have been very severely beaten lately near Manilla, and +the rebellion is so strong and so well organized that unless fresh troops +can be sent immediately, the Philippines will be lost to Spain. + +The insurgents are so successful that they are even venturing to offer +pardons to all Spaniards, except the Captain-General, who will lay down +their arms and peacefully obey the new government. + +Spain does not, however, intend to give up the Philippines yet a while, +and as she is not in a position to spare more men from home, for fear of +the Carlists rising, she has sent to Weyler, and ordered him to dispatch +20,000 men to the Philippines without delay. + +This is what is troubling Weyler. + +Some months ago word was sent to the Spanish Government that Weyler was +robbing the treasury by drawing full pay for numbers of men who had been +killed by the Cubans, but whose names were still on the pay-rolls. + +The matter was inquired into, but before it could get very far Weyler made +such indignant denials, and protested his innocence so strongly, that the +Prime Minister cabled a message assuring him of his confidence in him, and +the matter was allowed to drop. + +At the time of these accusations Weyler assured the Government that he had +160,000 men in his army. + +When the Carlist and Philippine troubles began to be serious, the Spanish +Government decided to take 20,000 men from Cuba, and send them on to the +Philippines, at the same time issuing a call to the loyal Spaniards in +Cuba to take up arms and fill the places of the men drafted to the other +war. + +The plan was a good one, and would have worked well enough, if Weyler had +spoken the truth about the number of men under his command. + +The fact was that his statement was altogether false. + +His force in Cuba consisted of but 100,000 men. The other 60,000 had +either been killed by the Cubans, or were lying sick in hospitals. + +Weyler had no 20,000 men to spare, but he did not dare tell the truth lest +the facts of his knavery might come out. + +He made up his mind to send the troops, and then if things went wrong in +Cuba, to declare that the withdrawal of the soldiers had paralyzed him, +and cost him Cuba. + +Some one, however, sent word to Senor Canovas of the true state of +affairs, and some very plain messages have been passing between Spain and +Cuba. + +The men are to go anyhow; but with only a force of 80,000 men left behind, +Spain has little hope of pacifying Cuba. + +The insurgents have, or will have when the Spanish troops are sent away, +as many men at their command as the Spaniards have, and they feel very +confident of success, because the men under them are well fed, healthy, +and hopeful, while the poor Spanish soldiers are hungry, sick, and +despairing. + +[Illustration: GEN. WEYLER and COL. FONDEVIELLA, Gen. Weyler's Chief +Assistant.] + +It seems as if the Cubans have now a better chance of winning their +freedom than they have ever had, and if they fail, it will be their own +fault. + +A pleasant piece of news in connection with all the rest, is that the +infamous Fondeviella has been removed from the command in Guanabacoa. His +resignation has been asked for from Madrid, and another officer has been +appointed in his place. + +Fondeviella is the bloodthirsty Spanish soldier who, while acting as Mayor +of Guanabacoa, caused the murder of so many innocent persons, Dr. Ruiz +among the number. + +This savage man is declared to have said that for every account of Spanish +cruelty published in American newspapers, he would have an American life. + +It is said that the examination of the body of poor Dr. Ruiz has revealed +the fact that he was beaten to death, and so Fondeviella has been removed. + +The dispatches that mention him now speak of him as Colonel Fondeviella. +When he went to Guanabacoa his rank was only that of Major. It would seem +that his atrocious conduct has not prevented the Spaniards from promoting +him. + +It is reported that the _Laurada_ has safely landed her cargo and +passengers in Cuba, and that the expedition which sailed from these +shores, under the command of Colonel Roloff, has joined the force of +General Garcia. + +Gomez is said to be waiting for the cannon and supplies that Roloff brings +him, before he advances farther to the west to join Ruis Rivera. + + * * * * * + +War clouds are hanging low over South America. + +Two rebellions have broken out there. + +The first is in Brazil. + +Brazil is the largest of the South American countries. The Amazon, which +you all remember is the greatest river in the world, flows through Brazil. + +Until 1889 Brazil was a monarchy, the only monarchy in South America. In +November of that year there was a revolution, the Emperor was dethroned, +and forced to leave the country. It has been a republic ever since, under +the name of the United States of Brazil. + +In February last a rebellion broke out which it was found had been started +by the monarchists. + +Monarchists are people who would rather be ruled by a monarch than by the +will of the people. In Brazil there is quite a large party of these +monarchists, who would gladly see an emperor on the throne again. + +The news from Brazil states that there has been some heavy fighting +between the two parties, and that the government troops have been +defeated, and one of the favorite generals killed. + +The people are so indignant over this, that they are mobbing houses and +places of business belonging to people who sympathize with the +monarchists. + +The Government has sent 10,000 troops to Bahia, where the fighting is at +present going on, and is determined to put the war down with a firm hand. + + * * * * * + +The other war is in Uruguay. + +Uruguay is a small republic just south of Brazil. + +This is another civil war. + +The President has become unpopular with the people, and they are trying to +get rid of him and put some one else in his place. + +This little war is hardly worth speaking of at all. Toy revolutions are +constantly occurring first in one and then another of the South American +republics, and people have grown so accustomed to them that they hardly +notice them now. + +Uruguay, though a very small country, is particularly fond of these +disturbances. The entire population of the whole country is no larger than +that of the city of Brooklyn, but this handful of people manage to have +enough revolts and disturbances to keep the country in constant +excitement. + +This present tempest is receiving more attention than is usual because it +is supposed that the monarchists of Brazil are stirring the people of +Uruguay to rebellion, with the hope of overthrowing both governments at +the same time, joining the two countries together, and uniting them under +the one emperor. + +If this report is true the matter is worthy of serious attention, because +Brazil is not one of the little insignificant republics whose perpetual +disturbances affect no one but themselves, but a large and important +country, and changes in the government of Brazil would be liable to affect +all the other countries which trade with it. + + * * * * * + +A party of wealthy Chinese merchants arrived in New York the other day +from San Francisco. They were on their way to Washington, to see the +Chinese Minister and ask him to intercede for them with the Emperor of +China. + +Their trouble is that the Emperor has kindly invited ten of them to visit +China without delay: two to have their heads chopped off, and the other +eight to be imprisoned for life. + +Of course none of the Chinamen are going to accept the Emperor's +invitation, and so they are not seeking the help of the Minister for +themselves. Their anxiety is on account of their relatives. + +It would seem that one of the curious little customs they have in China is +to arrest all the relatives of a man accused of crime, as well as the +criminal himself. These unfortunate people they cast into prison, taking +away from them their property, and everything of value they possess. This +punishment is for no known reason but that they have had the misfortune to +be members of the same family as a rascal. + +The consequence is that when a Chinaman gets into trouble, his relatives, +instead of standing by him, and trying to help him, desert him with the +greatest possible speed, and do their best to hide themselves in less +dangerous districts. + +While the Chinamen who are now in this country are able to laugh at the +Emperor's decree, and have no intention of going where he can make things +unpleasant for them, they are horror-struck at the way their poor +relatives have been stampeded. A number of these have been thrown into +jail, and only the nimblest have managed to escape the imperial vengeance. + +The Chinese merchants feel that this is very hard, because they have never +been tried and convicted of any crime, and this punishment has fallen upon +them because of a report of the Consul in San Francisco, which they say is +absolutely false. + +It seems that the Consul sent word to the Minister in Washington that +these ten men were "rebels and full of treason," that they were plotting +the overthrow of the Emperor of China, and were collecting arms for that +purpose. + +The Minister sent the report on to the Emperor, and his Celestial Majesty, +fearful lest these ten men might overthrow his kingdom, instantly ordered +them to come right home and have their heads chopped off. + +The accused Chinese merchants say that they are innocent, and that the +charge was made against them by their enemies; and of enemies they seem to +have an unlimited number. + +It appears that Chinese society is a very complicated affair. + +The Chinese, in their own country, live in families and clans, after the +manner of the Scotch, and like the ancient Scotch people there are +frequently terrible feuds or quarrels between the various clans. If one +man of a clan offends a man of another clan, the two entire clans take up +the quarrel, and every man of the one clan is ready to fight any man of +the other clan, and injure him as far as lies in his power. + +In China, as in Scotland, families or clans consist of every living member +or connection of the family. + +In China the affairs of every member of the family are managed by a +council. This council consists of the elders (men over sixty years of +age), and the scholars. We told you in No. 1 of THE GREAT ROUND +WORLD what severe trials a man has to go through in China before he +can be called a scholar. + +It is the duty of this council to collect and save all moneys due to any +member of the family, to direct the business of their households, and to +manage the family and its affairs so completely that the members of the +family are like children under the guidance of a very careful parent; and +when they come to this country, and are obliged to think and act for +themselves, they are no more capable of doing so than they would be if +they were really children. + +To meet this difficulty, and help the Chinamen, an organization called the +First Company was formed in San Francisco, which undertook the duties of +the elders of the families, and was a great comfort to the Chinamen in +America. + +By and by, as more Chinamen came into the country, the First Company got +too large, and others were formed on the same principle, until finally +there were six companies altogether. Then other societies were formed by +the Chinamen, and among them the Sam Yup and the See Yup. + +These two societies seem to have the true clannish spirit, and a hatred +and rivalry exist between them that remind one of the stories of the +Middle Ages. + +Belonging to the Sam Yups was a Chinaman named Little Pete, and it is +indirectly through him that trouble has fallen upon the heads of the ten +Chinese merchants. + +If what is said about him is true, Little Pete must have been a very great +rascal. He was a well-known character in San Francisco, and there was no +work too bad or too wicked for him to undertake. + +Among his other crimes he bribed juries, and had a whole regiment of +witnesses ready to swear as he wished. + +The See Yups knew all about this, and so, when a case was coming into +court against any of their members, they would go to Little Pete, and hire +his witnesses to swear for them,--well knowing that if they didn't do +this, Little Pete would have them there to swear against the See Yups. + +By these means Little Pete grew very rich, and was as much hated by his +enemies of the See Yups, as admired by his friends of the Sam Yups. + +Time passed on, and Little Pete, full of his power, began to make the tax +on the See Yups a little heavier than they could submit to. They appealed +to the Consul. He took no notice of them. They went to Washington, accused +the Consul of being in league with the Sam Yups, and asked that he be +dismissed. + +The Minister would have nothing to do with them, and they went back to San +Francisco, vowing vengeance on Little Pete. + +With the Chinese, murder is very lightly regarded, and Little Pete never +doubted that his enemies of the See Yups would try to murder him when they +got back from Washington. For weeks he went about wearing a coat of mail, +and followed by two sturdy Sam Yups, his hired guards. + +One night he went into the barber's, and, feeling safe, sent his guards +away. The See Yups were watching for just such an opportunity, and rushed +into the shop and killed him. + +Every effort was made to find the murderers. Several men were arrested, +but it was not possible to show that they were connected with the crime, +so nothing could be done. + +The news of the murder was sent on to China, and there the matter should +have rested but that the two rival societies declared a boycott on each +other. + +The Consul got tired of this, and insisted that it be stopped. The See +Yups obeyed, but grumbled, and gave the Consul a great deal of trouble. + +The quarrelling still kept on, and finally the Consul sent the fatal +letter, accusing the ten See Yups of treason. + +The See Yups declare that they can prove that the Consul is in league with +the Sam Yups, and that he has made this false accusation against them to +oblige the Sam Yup society. + +Their only hope is that the Minister, who returns to China very shortly, +may straighten matters out for them. If he will not help them they will +have to choose between going back to China and having their heads cut off, +and allowing their innocent relatives to be punished for them. + + * * * * * + +It will interest you to know that this is Maple Sugar time, and that all +through New England the manufacture of the delicious Maple Sugar is in +full swing. + +The way Maple Sugar is made is very interesting. + +In the spring-time, before the trees begin to bud and blossom, the sap +rises and works its way up into every bough and branch and twig of the +tree. Sap is a liquid which flows through the tree much in the same way +that blood flows through our veins, and the sap is the life-giving element +of the tree, just as the blood is of the body. + +In the maple tree this sap is sweet, and it is from the sap that the Maple +Sugar is made. + +To obtain it, the tree is tapped by being bored with an augur. The sap +flows through the hole thus made and is caught in vessels placed for the +purpose. + +When the tree has yielded a certain amount of sap the holes are plugged, +and then covered with wax, to stop the sap from flowing. If this were not +done it would continue to flow until every drop was exhausted, and the +tree would practically bleed to death. + +Maple trees are only tapped once in two years, so that they may have time +to recover from the loss of sap, and thrive and grow into fine healthy +trees, for the tapping of the trees by no means kills them. There are some +maples in New York State that have been producing sugar for nearly one +hundred years, and show no sign of decay, though they are still tapped +when their season comes round. + +When the sap has been drawn from the tree it is generally boiled down +until it crystallizes or sugars; it is then poured into moulds, and +hardens; this is the favorite way among the farmers for keeping Maple +Sugar. + +In former times no woman took part in the maple-sugar manufacture. The men +used first to tap the trees, and then boil the sap over wood fires that +they would build in the neighborhood of the sugar bush, as the maple grove +is called. + +The men used iron kettles to boil the sugar, and did not take as much care +as they might have done to see that the kettle was not rusty, or that no +twigs or leaves fell in, and so a boiling of sugar sometimes would be +spoiled. + +Nowadays the women go along to the sugaring with the men. The boiling is +done under cover, and it is the duty of the women to see that the kettles +are properly cleaned and scoured. As the men do not have to divide their +attention between boiling the sugar and gathering the sap, and both +processes are in the charge of special people, the result is that the +sugar is much better. + +If you ever have a chance to go to a sugar camp, go. It is great fun. +Shortly before the syrup sugars the boys and girls pour it on ice or snow, +or into cold water; this hardens it so that it can be held in the fingers +like candy. The process is called "waxing" sugar. + + GENIE H. ROSENFELD. + + + + +INVENTION AND DISCOVERY. + + +A NEW INKSTAND has lately been patented. + +The great trouble we all have with our ink is that it thickens so quickly +if we are not very careful to cover the inkstand after using. + +The new ink-well, to save this trouble, is self-closing. + +[Illustration] + +One lid of the well is made in the shape of a half circle, and is fitted +into a groove made to receive it. + +When a person wishes to dip the pen in the ink, the touch of the pen +slides the curved lid back; and then directly the pen is drawn out, the +lid slides back into place again and the ink is protected. + + +NEW FLOWER-POT.--To people who really love flowers, the new +flower-pot holder should prove a very great treasure. + +It is to be made in china, and very prettily decorated, and its novelty +consists in the plan of making it with an upper and lower chamber. + +The upper part holds the flower-pot, and the lower collects the water that +trickles through the pot, and keeps it away from the roots of the flower, +thus preventing the plant from standing in water and rotting. + +[Illustration] + +The upper and lower portions are connected by a perforated grating, +through which the water is carried off. + + G.H.R. + + + + +LETTERS FROM OUR YOUNG FRIENDS. + + +We have to acknowledge a great number of letters this week; so many, +indeed, that want of space prevents publishing them all. + +From the Dartmouth Street School, Worcester, we have three letters. + +Etta H., Annie H., and Roy R. have sent us delightful little notes, +telling us how much they enjoy THE GREAT ROUND WORLD. + +We must congratulate all three of our young friends on their excellent +writing. They are among the best written letters we have received so far. +Etta's is particularly clear and good. + +Frederic D. writes a second letter, asking about Crusoe's Island. + +We have heard nothing new about Juan Fernandez. + +We have, however, written to the Consul at Valparaiso and asked him if he +can give us any information. + +We cannot get an answer for several weeks, but when we do all our doubts +about Crusoe's Island will be set at rest. + +We thank Swift T., of Yonkers, for his very kind and friendly letter. It +pleases us very much to know that our young friends like the paper and are +anxious to receive it every week. + + + DEAR EDITOR: + + I want to say how glad I was when I heard from THE GREAT + ROUND WORLD that General Gomez had won a victory. I wish + that that brutal General Weyler had been killed instead of + General Maceo. Wasn't it extraordinary that all the trees in + India were covered with that queer stuff? I wonder how it got + there? Have any of the Hindustanees risen yet? + + I am also very interested in the war Greece is having with + Turkey. I wish the powers would not interfere with Greece and + Turkey, but let them fight it out. + + Your picture of a statue of King Arthur has a shield. We have a + photograph of a statue in a tomb at Innsbruck, but it has no + shield. Did Fischer make two statues? + + I wish THE GREAT ROUND WORLD were published twice a + week. + + Yours very truly, + WILLIAM THORN K. + 15 West Sixteenth Street, New York. + March 14, 1897. + + +DEAR YOUNG FRIEND: + +The original statue of King Arthur had no shield, though it was evidently +intended that it should have one. Some years ago an appropriate shield was +made for it. The photographs are sometimes with it and sometimes without +it, though as the statue stands now in the church it is with the shield as +illustrated in THE GREAT ROUND WORLD. + +We have heard of no fresh rising in India; the plague and the famine are +weakening the people so much that they have little spirit of revolt left. + + EDITOR. + + +We are gratified to print the following letter: + + DEAR EDITOR: + + We, the citizens of the Junior Republic, wish to thank you for + those magazines, THE GREAT ROUND WORLD, that you were + so kind to send to us. + + We have entered them in our library and they are being read + thoroughly by the citizens. The article on our Republic in the + March 4th number of THE GREAT ROUND WORLD is exactly as + that which has taken place; and, considering that this article + was so truthful, we will use the Cuban and other news in your + magazine as our authority when we converse on those subjects of + which your magazine treats. + + Yours sincerely, + + WILLIAM DAPPING, Judge Criminal Court. + C.G. SMITH, District Attorney. + JACOB G. SMITH, President of G.J.R. + C.W. BREWSTER, Secretary of State. + A. ANDERSON, President of Provident Fund. + LE ROY W. OLIVER, Congressman. + S.E. BROWN, Senate. + LOUIS FURHMAN, Keeper. + JAMES WESTERVELT. + T. HERNAN, Speaker of House. + L.M. YOUNG, Speaker of Senate. + EDWARD KING, Proprietor of Restaurant. + MAJOR HERVEY E. MILLER, Secretary of Treasury. + + + TO THE EDITOR: + + + We wish to extend to you and your friends a cordial invitation + to visit our Republic. + + Yours, + THE CITIZENS, per WILLIAM DAPPING. + + GEORGE JUNIOR REPUBLIC, + FREEVILLE, N.Y., March 17th, 1897. + + + DEAR EDITOR: + + I enjoy your fascinating little magazine so much that I thought + I would write and tell you so. It has pleased me very much to + find that you encourage kindness to animals, for it is pathetic + to think how they patiently work for us with only bad treatment + as a reward. Do please write more about them, and their + undeserved sufferings. I think that your older subscribers would + like to read "Fabiola," by Cardinal Wiseman. It is a story of + ancient Rome, and the Christians of the catacombs; it is quite + an old book, but is as interesting as any that I have read. + + As you are so kind about answering questions, perhaps you could + tell me of some magazine or shop (in New York) where I could + find authentic portraits of historic people, like Catherine de + Medici, Louis XI., Louis XII., etc. I do not want them to be too + expensive, and I do not want them to be fancy pictures. From a + + FRIEND AND ADMIRER. + + P.S.--Would you kindly tell me soon where I could get the + pictures here, as we leave New York May 1st, and I then will not + have a chance to profit by your advice? + + NEW YORK, March 18th, 1897. + +The authentic portraits of historic people are all paintings. Dutton & +Co., on Twenty-third Street, have a very fine collection of photographs of +the famous pictures in foreign galleries, and you would most likely find +what you wanted there. + +M. Knoedler & Co., 355 Fifth Avenue, near Thirty-fourth Street, have +photogravures of many of the famous pictures. If you could not suit +yourself at Dutton's you would be almost sure to at Knoedler's. + + + DEAR MR. EDITOR: + + Have the astronomers succeeded in finding out whether people + live on the planet Mars or not? I am very much interested in it. + I saw a picture of President McKinley and his Cabinet the other + day. Senator John Sherman is Secretary of State. I hope + President McKinley will take more interest in Cuba than + President Cleveland has. I remain, + + Your fond reader, + HARVEY V. + SCOTLAND NECK, N.C., March 8th, 1897. + + +DEAR HARVEY: + +It has been discovered that the air and conditions of the atmosphere on +Mars are the same as those of our own planet, the Earth, and so +astronomers have decided that Mars may be inhabited. EDITOR. + + + + DEAR MR. EDITOr: + + I am nine years old, and like to read about Spain and Cuba in + your paper, THE GREAT ROUND WORLD, because it makes it + plainer to me than the daily papers do. A long time ago I wanted + to go there, but I have changed my mind. One reason why I wanted + to go was, Cuba has been fighting bravely, and the murderous + Spaniards have no mercy for men, women, or children, if they + sympathize with the Cubans. + + Wishing your paper years of success, I remain, + + Your fond reader, + CHARLIE N.S. + SCOTTSVILLE, KANS., March 13th, 1897. + + + DEAR EDITOR: + + I like THE GREAT ROUND WORLD much better than the + history I studied before it. The reason I like it is because it + tells the news of the world. I enjoy reading it so much, I am + glad to see another come. I hear so much about Cuba and Spain, + and other matters. Do you think there is any prospect of the + Cubans gaining independence? + + I must stop now, but I still remain, + + Your affectionate reader, + FOREST V. + SCOTLAND NECK, N.C., March 8th, 1897. + + +DEAR FOREST: + +We think it very likely that Cuba will gain her freedom before long. + EDITOR. + + + DEAR MR. EDITOr: + + I want to tell you of two books I have been reading. One is + called "Scottish Chiefs," and the other is called "The Days of + Bruce." I like them both very much. The "Scottish Chiefs" is a + story of the days of Sir William Wallace, and describes very + vividly the battles that took place. + + "The Days of Bruce" is written on the same order as "Scottish + Chiefs." It tells of all the Scottish lords, and how the Bruce + finally became King of Scotland. + + Yours truly, + HARVEY V. + SCOTLAND NECK, N.C., March 1st, 1897. + + +We have received a new book for the little ones from Thompson, Brown & +Co., Boston--"AEsop and Mother Goose." It is arranged as a First Reader, +and a First Reader nowadays means something very bright and attractive. +This book seems to be no exception to this rule. Price is 30 cents, but +the publishers will mail your teacher a sample if eight (two-cent) stamps +are sent them, for they wish teachers to see the book. + + + + +SUPPLEMENT TO + +THE GREAT ROUND WORLD + +AND WHAT IS GOING ON IN IT. + + +There are certain things in history which every one _must_ know. + +You can get along very well without being able to tell when the battle of +Crecy was fought. You will not be at all disgraced by not knowing how many +were killed at Bosworth Field, nor how many ships were engaged at the +battle of Trafalgar. + +But you _must_ know how England became England, how France came to be +France, and Germany Germany. And yet you cannot know one of these things +unless you know about the Roman Empire too, which like an old dead root +underlies the greater part of Europe. + +Now I am going to tell you about the Ottoman Empire, or Turkey. And yet I +find I must begin by talking about other things, and chiefly about that +old dead Roman Empire, with which everything else is tangled up. + +It was during the reign of Augustus Caesar, the first Roman Emperor, that +Christ was born. So the Roman Empire was always just the age of the +Christian era. + +For the first three centuries, and while it was fiercely fighting the new +Christianity, its power seemed invincible. It spread upon every side, +toward the East as far as Asia, and in the West as far as the Atlantic. +Gaul (or France and Spain) and Britain were gathered in by this insatiable +power. + +But the Romans could not conquer Germany. Instead of that, the Germans or +Goths were always pressing down into Italy, and even thundered at the +gates of Rome. + +So harassed were the Romans by these terrible barbarians that at last they +could no longer spare their legions in distant provinces. So Britain was +dropped. And then, as she grew more decrepit and feeble, France got away +from her too, and the Germans (who were already in Spain) took that fair +land (France) into their own strong, rough keeping. + +In the year 323, the Roman Emperor Constantine became a Christian. The +Empire threw off its old Greek paganism and adopted Christianity. + +Constantine determined to remove his capital far into the East, away from +the terrible Goths. There was on the shores of the Bosphorus an old Greek +city named Byzantion. This he chose for his capital, and called it +Constantinople. So the Empire was divided into an "Eastern" and a +"Western" Empire, with two Emperors, one at Rome and the other at +Constantinople, or, as it was sometimes called, Byzantium. + +Although the Empire was now richer in emperors, and had two Caesars instead +of one, it rapidly became a mere shadow of what it once was; and all +because of those terrible, ignorant, but iron-willed Goths, who not only +would not be conquered, but were not satisfied until they had hammered to +pieces the greatest Empire the world had ever seen. + +The Eastern Empire with its beautiful Constantinople was in the country of +the Ancient Greeks. The Greek language was the one spoken there; and while +it had not the glory of the old imperial city of Rome, it had another sort +of splendor. + +It became the centre of the most brilliant intelligence of the world at +that time. There were men great in learning, in art, in literature, and a +polished civilization which was chiefly Greek and became less and less +Roman. + +All this was very dazzling in a way. But the days of the great ascendency +of the Roman Empire were gone. A new star had arisen in the West. + +Charlemagne, a German, was in the year 800 crowned Emperor of the Holy +Roman Empire at Rome, and had displaced the Caesars as the head of +Christendom. + +Besides that, the "Bishop of Rome," as he was once called, had now become +the Pope, the Vicar of Christ on Earth; and as the power of the rival +emperors declined, the power of the Pope increased; so that Rome, as the +spiritual head of Christendom, was now superior to Constantinople. + +While the Goths were breaking in pieces the Roman Empire, and while +Constantinople was growing in splendor, important events were happening in +far-off Asia. + + * * * * * + +In the year 569, there was born in Arabia a child who altered the whole +course of history. His name was Mahomet. + +As the Mahometan religion has always been a scourge and a curse, you would +naturally suppose its founder was a bad man. But on the contrary he was a +very good man, and had a great desire to make his people better. + +The Arabians had a corrupt form of idolatry which came from the Persians, +and worshipped not one, but a great many gods. + +Mahomet sincerely believed that he was inspired by the one true and great +God to overthrow this old religion and to establish a pure and true one. + +Under this inspiration he wrote the Koran, which is the Mahometan Bible. +This book told them of the sins they must not commit, and of the joys +which hereafter awaited those who should be faithful to the teachings of +the one God and his prophet Mahomet. + +The fatal element in this religion was its cruelty. The Prophet had +declared that it should be enforced with the sword, that it should be: the +Koran--or death! + +It spread with the fury of a conflagration. The Arabs, or Saracens, as +they were called, conquered Persia and Syria and Egypt. After that they +began to look enviously at Constantinople and to dream of universal empire +like the Romans. They were not a horde of ignorant barbarians like the +Goths. They came from an ancient seat of learning, and their leaders were +men of knowledge and attainments far beyond anything existing in Europe at +that time. + +In the year 710, like a flock of vultures a great Mahometan host swooped +down upon Christian Europe. + +Spain was the extreme western limit of the Roman Empire. It was the plan +of these terrible Saracens, after conquering Spain, to sweep over the +Pyrenees into France. Then another Saracen army, after conquering +Constantinople, was to flow westward, and the two streams would meet at +Rome. + +It was a very nice plan--for the Saracens! But they did _not_ get over the +Pyrenees. Nor did they take Constantinople until six hundred years later. +So they were content to establish themselves firmly in Spain and upon the +African coast opposite, and bided their time. + +After the occupation of Northern Africa and Spain, they were no longer +call Saracens, but Moors. They lingered in Spain until the discovery of +America; and the final expulsion of the Moors from the Spanish peninsula, +which was effected with great cruelty, took place during the reign of +Ferdinand and Isabella. They made Spain beautiful, and they made it great. + +When the Goths flowed in a rough torrent over Southern Europe they effaced +civilization. But this Saracen wave of conquest bore on its crest--but +only on its crest--art, refinements, and culture of a type unknown to +Europe. The twilight of the Middle Ages was illumined by a revival of +Greek culture at Constantinople, and by Saracenic art and erudition in +Spain. + +For seven hundred years they remained in Spain, which still bears traces +of their beautiful architecture; and the Middle Ages would have been +darker still but for the enriching stores of knowledge brought into Europe +by the Asiatic people. + +So in the 8th century there were two great empires in Europe: the Roman +and the Mahometan. + +The one had passed its meridian and was swiftly declining. The other, with +irresistible energy, and with the vigor of a terrible youth, made men +tremble for the fate of Christendom. + +This Saracen Empire now stretched from the heart of Asia to the outer +confines of Europe. So, like the Roman, it was divided into its Eastern +and Western parts with two Caliphs (or Emperors): one at Bagdad, in Asia +and the other at Cordova in Spain. + +A part of their possessions in the East was the spot the most sacred in +the world to Christians. Palestine, the land hallowed by the birth, life, +and death of Christ, was held by these infidels, whose religion required +them to insult and degrade the very name of Christ, and offered rich +rewards for exterminating His followers. + +This led to the most heroic event in all history. The annals of the world +record nothing more astonishing than the Crusades. + +When one man offers up fortune and life for a sentiment, he is regarded as +one different from his fellows. If an entire nation does it, it is still +more amazing. But that all the nations of a Continent, forgetting their +own private ambitions and interests, laying aside enmities and jealousies +among themselves, should unite, and for two centuries pour out life and +treasure, and expend all their energies upon an object which could bring +nothing but sacrifice--no material reward,--this is a spectacle the world +has seen but once, will never see again, and will never cease to wonder +at! + +When Peter the Hermit came from Jerusalem at the close of the eleventh +century, and with burning eloquence told of the desecration of the Holy +Places in Palestine, and of the sufferings of the small band of Christians +in the Holy City, Europe rose as one man. + +From sovereign to serf there was not one dissenting voice. If it took +uncounted lives, and all the treasure of Europe, the Cross, and not the +Crescent, should wave over the Holy Land. + +The kingdoms united in one great "European Concert." And for what purpose? +_To drive the Mahometans out of that very land where another "European +Concert" is ingeniously striving to keep them undisturbed to-day,_ and to +rescue a little handful of Christians counted by units, where now they +call to us by thousands! + +And is this what 700 years of civilization has done for us? + +It may have been a madness, a wild and fruitless expenditure of life, +treasure, and happiness. But I think it must have been a sight which +gladdened the angels in heaven, to see such a mighty outpouring of +generous sacrifice, without one selfish end in view. + +People of all ranks, rich and poor alike, gave out of their abundance or +their poverty; abandoned homes, happiness, everything, and flocked to the +standards of the Cross. + +The sufferings of this impetuous host may be imagined, but never +described. No railroads, no telegraphs, no skilled commissariat with +careful provision for sustenance. + +Thousands perished by the way. Thousands more by the sword. And although +for a brief time the Cross floated over Jerusalem, it was only a fleeting +vision. + +The Saracens recovered what they had lost, and the Crescent waved +triumphant above the Holy Land,--_and does so still._ + +At this time there was a wandering, warlike people living far beyond in +Asia called Turks. They had not settled homes, and had for centuries been +straying into the lands by the Mediterranean, which were held by an +Asiatic race remotely connected with them. + +They had long ago embraced the religion of Mahomet, and by the time of the +Crusades there was a goodly portion of them sprinkled throughout the +Saracen dominions. In fact, it is asserted that most of the outrages in +Palestine which led to the Crusades were the work of Turkish Mahometans, +rather than the Saracens. + +One day, about the year 1250 (during the last days of the Crusades), one +of these marauding bands of Turks under the leadership of a man named +Etrogruhl came unexpectedly within sight of a battle which was being +fought between two armies in Asia-Minor. + +He did not know who were fighting, nor what they were fighting about. But +he led his 400 horsemen pell-mell into the thick of the fray, to help what +seemed the losing side. + +This decided the fate of the battle; and it turned out that they had been +aiding the Sultan of Iconium, the great ruler of that land. + +In gratitude for this service, the Sultan gave to Etrogruhl a large piece +of territory, and he became the chief of a clan in this beautiful tract of +land, which was all his own, bordering on the Byzantine Empire (as it was +then called), and almost within sight of the Bosphorus and the city of +Constantinople. + +This was the beginning of the great Turkish Empire. + +Othman, the son of this nameless adventurer, for whom the Ottoman Empire +was named, was the first of a line of thirty-five sovereigns reaching +down to our own time--where his descendant sits in Constantinople to-day +defying and confounding European statesmanship. + +The first thing we hear of this young Othman is that he fell in love. The +beautiful "moon-faced" maiden was the daughter of a learned Doctor of +Laws, who scorned the idea of giving his daughter to this obscure young +person. + +But Othman had a dream, which changed all that. He dreamed that a full +moon came from the doctor's breast and sank into his own. Immediately a +great outspreading tree arose from his loins, and over it hung a crescent +moon. Suddenly a great wind came and dashed the Crescent over against the +Cross and the Crown of Constantine, and broke it into pieces. + +So the moon-faced maiden was given to Othman just one hundred and seventy +years before the Crescent did break the Crown of Constantine in pieces. + +Etrogruhl's clan grew apace; and so did his territory: the one by +accessions from other wandering Turkish tribes, and the other by extending +it by force as he had a chance. Then the Sultan of Iconium died, and his +land and authority were divided among ten states, of which Etrogruhl's was +one. So now he was an independent ruler with none to call him to account. + +In the mean time his son Othman had developed great ability as a warrior +and as a leader. He had met the armies of the Byzantine Emperor, and had +defeated them, and had captured fortresses and cities. And the Emperor +from the roof of his palace at Constantinople had seen across the +Bosphorus the smoke of his burning towns and villages. So when his father +died and Othman came into his inheritance, he found himself the ruler of a +powerful and inspiring state, and the Ottoman Empire had commenced its +extraordinary career of conquest. + +His son and successor, Orkhan, inherited the same commanding qualities and +the kind of ability required to organize a new state. + +By one terrible stroke of genius he created the most effective military +organization which has ever been known--one which, from that time down to +our own century, was the terror of Europe and of Asia. + +He conceived the idea of exterminating Christianity by means of +Christians. + +The plan was, every year to enroll 1,000 Christian boys taken from the +Christian families captured in war. Only the finest were selected. They +must be very young, so that they would have no ties to remember, no human +sympathies to enfeeble them. + +These boys were placed under a rigid military training, with rich rewards +and indulgences for zeal and aptitude, and terrible disgrace and +punishment for the reverse. + +They were familiarized with awful atrocities, their sensibilities +destroyed, and at the same time intelligence rendered acute by severe +intellectual training. + +In this way was developed the strongest, the fiercest military corps, the +most terrible instrument for the use of despotic power, ever created by +subtle craft or employed by fanaticism. + +They were called the Janizaries. And the very name struck a terror which +almost conquered in advance. + +When Orkhan led his first 1,000 boys to a dervish priest to bless them, +he flung the sleeve of his robe over the head of one of them, and asked +that the great God of Mahomet would make "their arrows keen, and their +swords deadly." + +Thereafter, the dervish cap which they wore had always a long sleeve-like +pendant behind. And the prayer of the dervish was certainly answered. + +One thousand boys recruited these ranks every year; and as the years +rolled into centuries, the organization became a more and more terrible +instrument of vengeance in the hands of the Sultan, whose body-guard it +formed. + +The line of Sultans following Othman was characterized by intellectual +force of a high order. There was a swelling and irresistible tide of +conquest which moved not only toward Europe, but into Asia. One tribe +after another was absorbed, until all the strongholds of the old Saracen +Empire were in the hands of the Sultans, who replaced the Caliphs; and +like them were not alone temporal rulers, but the representatives of +Mahomet himself. + +Composed in this way of a great heterogeneous mass of races, hostile to +each other, and to the Turk, the Ottoman Empire had but one element common +to all. That was its religion. The Sultan stood to them in the place of +the Prophet--hence they dared not defy nor resist his will. And it is this +power of religious fanaticism which not alone created the Empire, but has +held it together long after its vital forces have departed. + + * * * * * + +In the year 1453 the dream of Othman was realized. The long-hoped-for and +long-dreaded event had come. Constantinople was in the hands of the Turks! + +No event since the Christian era had been more momentous, more fraught +with good and with evil. + +The Ottoman Power had secured the most beautiful, the most coveted, and +the most impregnable position in Europe. + +But Europe was strangely enriched by the result. Driven out of its old +home, Greek culture took refuge in other places, and what had been the +exclusive possession of a few became the heritage of a continent. + +Literature, fine arts, and music were revolutionized under the influence +of Greek scholars who were refugees flying from the Turks. The period now +set in which is known as the _Renaissance_. That is, art and intellectual +life were born into a new and higher form by the introduction of Greek +ideals. + +The Sultan's palace, court, and the ceremonial attending him had now +become like a fairy-tale in its splendor. He was approached as if he were +a god. Men prostrated themselves in his presence, and spoke in whispers. + +No man's head was more insecure on his shoulders than his Grand Vizier's. +A mistake, a failure, and off it went! + +Quick to discern ability, no sooner did a Sultan see a man who he thought +could serve him--however low his station--than he clutched the unfortunate +subject and placed him in high and responsible position. + +In vain did the wretched man protest his unfitness for such an honor. + +The Grand Vizier was next in authority to the Sultan himself, and was +treated like a king. But a favorite form of curse was, "May you be Grand +Vizier to the Sultan!" + +When great European Ambassadors were presented to the Sultan at +Constantinople, each one was taken separately, and, with a courtier +holding him by the arm on each side, he was led like a prisoner into the +great presence in awful silence. + +There was the Sultan cross-legged on his divan, his turban and his robes +blazing with jewels. He did not deign to speak nor even to look at the +Ambassador, gazing away fixedly and with stony indifference as he was +presented. + +One of the first acts of a new Sultan was to kill all of his brothers, if +he had any, or any one else who could possibly conspire to get his throne. + +It was an effectual way of destroying conspiracies in the germ, as we do +disease, and was a custom much honored. + +An amiable English historian describes one of the Sultans as being an +exalted character, pure, upright, and virtuous. He regrets that this +admirable man did blind his only son and have three brothers bowstringed +(strangled). But it was "the only blemish on his character"! Happy Turkey, +to have such an historian! + + * * * * * + +When "Suleyman the Magnificent" was Sultan in 1550, the Ottoman Empire had +reached its zenith. Its eastern frontier was in the heart of Asia, it held +Egypt and the Northern Coast of Africa, and its European frontier reached +that of Austria and Russia. It included, with the exception of Rome, every +city famous in biblical or classical history. + +Europe was dismayed at this advancing and irresistible power. + +But there is a moment in the history of empires when they reach a climax. +Then comes a decline,--a time when conquest ceases, and they are content +to defend what they already possess; and finally are glad if they be +permitted to exist at all! + +Such a moment of climax arrived to the Ottoman Empire in the sixteenth +century. The three centuries which have followed have been a gradual and +sure decline. + +The growth of a New Power beyond the Black Sea,--of Russia,--and brilliant +combinations by leaders in Hungary, Poland, and Austria, arrested the +fatal advance. Then came the struggle to keep instead of to acquire. +Hungary and Poland were torn from her, and the dismemberment had begun. + +With these losses came loss of prestige at home, and revolts and internal +disorders. The Janizaries could no longer be trusted. They were open to +bribes, intriguing, and a source of danger rather than strength; and +finally a reforming Sultan touched a mine of gunpowder which led under +their barracks, and they were exterminated, the bowstring and sword +finishing the few which had escaped. + +At this very time (1826) the Greek peninsula had just wrung her freedom +from Turkey and was electing her new king. + +Servia, Bosnia, Montenegro, Bulgaria (1876), one after another revolted, +and was made autonomous, or self-governing, by the Powers of Europe. Thus +was formed a group of states known as the Balkans, which made a bulwark +of neutral territory between Europe and the dissolving and decaying +Empire. + + * * * * * + +In 1850 Nicholas, the Czar of Russia, determined to take the Christians in +Turkey under his own protection. This gave to Russia a virtual +Protectorate over the Turkish dominions, and excited the jealousy of +England and France. + +Affecting to think it was an unfair advantage, and an infringement upon +the rights of Turkey, those two countries united in a great war upon +Russia. This was known as the Crimean War, which ended disastrously for +Russia and placed the persecuted Christians under the combined protection +of Europe. + +England and France have made little use since of a right which they +purchased with thousands of precious lives! + +The present Sultan, Abdul Hamid, is the thirty-fifth in descent from +Othman. + +He is the most luxurious and the most powerful barbarian in the world! + +As he sits surrounded by six thousand attendants, eating his pancakes +without table or plate or knife and fork, he is sovereign over lands in +three Continents. + +Absolute lord over some of the richest provinces in the world, surrounded +by a fabulous luxury at Constantinople, he is still one of the most abject +and miserable of beings. + +This man, known as the "Great Assassin," whose will is law, and whose nod +is death to millions of people, is as ignorant as a child, as nervously +timid as an hysterical woman, and as he cowers in the palace of his +ancestors, he trembles at an approaching footstep. + +It is his own subjects that he really fears. The Powers could depose--but +his subjects can assassinate. + +The Sultan knows, and the Powers know, that when they demand a vigorous +policy in defence of the Christians they are asking and he is assenting to +an impossibility. + +The millions of wild, turbulent people whom he rules only endure his +authority because he stands to them in the place of the Prophet. But the +Prophet taught death to non-Mussulmans. + +Should he really be true to his word, and try to bring Kurds and Arnauts +to justice, in defence of Christians, his army would revolt, and his +subjects would depose him in an hour--and deposition would mean death! + +It needs all his inherited craft and cunning to keep his head upon his +shoulders at the best of times. And the talk of reforms in the Ottoman +Empire is an idle and diplomatic fiction. + +The last stage is reached. The question is whether this Empire, reeking +with crimes, red-handed from the blood of Christians in Armenia, a scourge +in the past, and an offence to the moral sense of humanity in the +present,--shall be permitted longer to exist? + +Shall I tell you how this question is being answered to-day? + +I am ashamed to write it! + +Six Christian Powers, after exhausting the resources of diplomacy, are +bombarding Christians in Crete in defence of "the Integrity of the Ottoman +Empire"! + + MARY PLATT PARMELE. + +Copyrighted 1897, By WILLIAM BEVERLEY HARISON. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Great Round World And What Is +Going On In It, Vol. 1, No. 22, April 8, 1897, by Various + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE GREAT ROUND WORLD *** + +***** This file should be named 15452.txt or 15452.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/5/4/5/15452/ + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Emmy, and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team. (www.pgdp.net) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +https://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at https://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +https://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at https://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit https://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including including checks, online payments and credit card +donations. To donate, please visit: https://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + https://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. |