The Great Round World and What Is Going On In It, Vol. 1, No. 26, May 6, 1897 by Various
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Various >> The Great Round World and What Is Going On In It, Vol. 1, No. 26, May 6, 1897
There is a very strong wish in the hearts of many Brazilians for the
return of the monarchy, and numbers of influential people are joining
Conselhiero, who is gaining ground every day.
The revolution has indeed gained such a strong hold in Brazil that it
will be a very difficult task to put it down.
* * * * *
The Greater Republic of Central America does not seem to be having a very
pleasant time of it.
If you remember, it was only recognized by our Government in December
last, and already there is trouble.
On page 220 of Vol. I we told you that the Greater Republic of Central
America was formed by the union of the three republics of Honduras, San
Salvador, and Nicaragua.
Now there is a revolution in Honduras; one of those toy revolutions we
spoke about in No. 22 of THE GREAT ROUND WORLD.
In all the small South American Republics, revolution and rebellion is as
the breath of life to the people.
If a general gets popular with his soldiers he at once plots to overthrow
the government, and with the help of the army become president himself.
Every man who is either clever or ambitious gets up a toy revolution to
depose somebody, and take his place.
The present revolution appears to be of the usual kind.
The President has become unpopular, and it is said that one of the former
presidents, Dr. Soto, thinks he would like to have another term of office,
and so he has incited the people to revolt.
A new government has been formed to take charge of affairs until they
become more settled, and things seem to be shaping themselves to suit the
doctor's wishes.
San Salvador and Guatemala, though by their new ties they are bound to
assist their sister republic, have declined to interfere, and it looks as
if the life of the Greater Republic of Central America would not be nearly
as long as its name.
* * * * *
On page 134 of Vol. I. we spoke about the unfortunate Russians who are
exiled to Siberia, and of the thousands of miles they are forced to march
across the continent before they reach their place of punishment.
It has just been reported that the Czar has issued a decree that persons
who are exiled to Siberia shall, from this time forth, be carried by train
to the convict settlements.
In the days when the poor unfortunates had to make the journey on foot it
took ninety days of steady marching to reach the journey's end, and women
and children as well as men took their places in the long, sad procession
that wound its way across the dreary steppes of Russia.
This decree must have caused much rejoicing among the Russian people, and
if the Czar continues to rule his people so mercifully and kindly, we may
all live to see the day when there will be no more Nihilism or hatred
between the ruler and the ruled in Russia, and when it will no longer be
necessary to send anybody to Siberia.
* * * * *
The boys of the Cambridge Manual Training School have a new lesson which
has become very popular with them.
This is a fire drill.
The pupils are taught to go through the whole process of fighting a fire
in the same way that the firemen do.
Before the boys are allowed to join the fire battalion they have to be
drilled, taught to march, and are obliged to attend lectures on surgery,
and how to help injured people until the doctor comes.
After the boys have gone through this first course of study, they begin
their real fireman's training. They attend more lectures in which they
learn how to handle the various ladders and machines which firemen use.
They have to learn how a fire engine is put together, what are the uses of
every wheel and valve, and how to clean and care for each separate part of
the engine; and when they are quite familiar with the various things used
by firemen they pass on to the last stage of training.
This begins on March 1st, and from this time on the work is done out of
doors.
A wooden building forty feet high, and provided with doors and windows
exactly like a three-story house, is put up in the schoolyard, and it is
with this building that the lessons are given.
Every Thursday afternoon an imaginary fire takes place in it. The hose is
run out, the ladders are raised, and the lads go to work with a will,
saving imaginary lives, and fighting imaginary flames.
Each week some new complication is supposed to take place, and some extra
machine has to be brought into use, until by the end of the school term
they can handle every machine and ladder with the greatest ease.
When first the fire drill was introduced into the school, the boys were
not obliged to take the study unless they wanted to; but it has become so
popular that they are eager and anxious to take it, and now is part of the
regular course of the school for all boys who are strong enough to stand
the hard work it necessitates.
* * * * *
Some time ago we talked about the moving of the village of Katonah. Our
friends in California can do better than that. While New York moves
houses, California moves mountains.
A dam is being built at San Diego, Cal., to gather water for the city.
Where the water supply for a city is not quite sufficient, darns are often
built, to stop small rivers from flowing away to waste; and the water
gathered by the barrier of wood, stone, or earth, as the case may be, is
turned into the city to be used by the people.
In the San Diego work, a huge mass of rocky hillside overhung the canon
which was to be dammed, and at the bottom of which the river flowed.
A canon is, as you doubtless know, a deep gorge or ravine, formed by the
river that flows through it, and which little by little has worn away its
bed until it has cut deep down into the heart of the land, hundreds of
feet below its original level.
As we have said, the plan for the San Diego work was to build a dam across
the canon, and keep the waters from flowing away.
The engineers thought that if they could only take this huge mass of rocky
hill and drop it into the canon, it would make their work very much
easier, as the task of getting enough stone down to the bottom of the
gorge to build their dam was by no means an easy one.
They thought the matter out, and finally decided to try and move the
mountain-side into the canon.
They laid their plans, and for two months were busy preparing for the
great move.
They tunnelled the hillside in all directions over the section which they
desired to move, and in these tunnels laid mines of giant powder or
dynamite.
These mines they connected with electric wires, and when all was ready,
the various wires were gathered into one bunch, and taken across the gorge
that was to be filled up.
When the explosion was about to take place the workmen and engineers moved
ever so far away, until they were at a safe distance from the explosion,
and one man, the foreman, was sent to the edge of the canon to touch the
wires, and start the firing of the mines.
When he received the signal he touched the wire, and then ran away to
safety as fast as he could go, while the others watched the explosion.
It seems to have been a most wonderful sight.
Bowlders and masses of rock rose from their beds on the hillside, and
little tongues of dust and smoke shot out from the earth in all
directions. Then there was a terrific growl, which seemed to come from the
heart of the mountain, the earth shook, the men who were watching were
thrown to the ground, and with a roar and a rattle the side of the
mountain moved and began to fall.
There was a shower of stones which continued to fall for over an hour, and
the dust was so thick that it was impossible to see; but when it finally
cleared, it was found that an enormous slice of the side of the mountain
had been blown into the canon below.
The engineers said that one hundred and fifty thousand tons of rock had
been moved, and to their great pride they found that it had fallen exactly
according to their plans, and had bridged the canon and formed the bulwark
for the support of the dam.
* * * * *
The past week has been one of great anxiety for Greece and the Greek
cause.
The Turks have been steadily gaining ground in the East; they have swarmed
through the pass of Milouna into the plains of Thessaly.
The Greeks fought nobly, and succeeded in driving the Turks a little way
back toward Milouna, but the vast army of Turkey was too strong for them,
and despite their efforts, the enemy has made its way into Greece, and
advanced upon the city of Larissa.
The mayors and governors of Thessaly have called on the peasants and all
men capable of bearing arms to come to the defence of their country, and
volunteers are flocking in every hour.
The latest news that has reached us states that the Greeks have finally
fallen back to Pharsalia, leaving Larissa at the mercy of the Turks.
Now while this looks very badly for the Greeks, and at this time it seems
as if their ultimate defeat were sure, it is too soon to offer any very
decided opinion.
It may all be a part of a very deep-laid plan of the Greeks.
It must be remembered that the weak points of the Turkish army in regard
to provisions and transportation are as well known to the Greeks as to us.
The farther the Turks can be enticed away from the place where they keep
their stores, the weaker they grow. The Greeks may have planned to lure
them over the border, and away from their supplies, and then fight them
when they have them at a disadvantage.
This looks the more likely when it is taken into consideration that the
Greeks have been successful in invading Turkey and reaching Elassona, the
Turkish headquarters, and that they also hold the Pass of Reveni.
The Greek navy has been doing some very fine work, bombarding and
destroying towns on the east coast, as well as the west.
The Greek army which was pressing on to the Turkish city of Janina in
Epirus has met with a severe reverse.
With information of the defeat comes news that is of such great importance
to the Greek cause that the present check may prove to be of very little
importance.
This news is that the Albanians have risen against their masters the
Turks, and joined with the Greeks.
Albania was at one time a part of Greece, but that was in the early
history of the Empire. It at last secured its freedom and became an
independent country.
In 1478 the Turks conquered Albania, and it has been under Turkish rule
ever since. The Albanians have no love for the Turks, and though they are
supposed to be obedient to the Sultan's wishes, he does not dare to
appoint any but native Albanians to govern them. The people have always
contrived to give him all the trouble possible.
The Greeks hoped that the Albanians would join them, as well as the
Macedonians, and so, despite the reverses that the week has brought, with
these powerful friends to help them, they must be feeling more sure of
success than they were a few days ago.
Bulgaria is also becoming restless and making demands of the Sultan,
threatening to revolt against him if he does not give them what they ask
for.
The Prince of Bulgaria has made a trip to Berlin to borrow money for the
war. And it is likely that the Sultan may soon have so many enemies to
fight that he will wish the Powers had allowed him to arrange the Cretan
matters for himself, without interfering and bringing this hornet's nest
about his ears.
GENIE H. ROSENFELD.
INVENTION AND DISCOVERY.
With the summer coming on, inventions for swimmers are being brought
forward.
The WATER SKATE or shoe is to afford a new and very delightful
means of sport.
It is intended to be used when the swimmer is in the upright position
assumed in treading water. A swimmer can maintain this position for a long
time, but can ordinarily make no headway in the water.
[Illustration]
The water skate is invented to enable him to strike out with his feet as
in walking. Under the skate there are two "fins." These remain pressed
together with the forward movement of the foot, but with the same movement
as the hands take in swimming. These fins open out as the foot reaches the
limit of its stride, and push back the water exactly in the same way that
the arms do.
It is claimed that a high rate of speed can be obtained with this water
skate.
CANOPY FOR BICYCLES.--All cyclers complain so of the heat of the
sun, that busy brains are at work to find a means of protecting the riders
from the fierce heat.
A canopy has just been invented, which seems to be the most practical and
sensible of any of the coverings offered.
It has a pointed roof to it, and spreads over the rider at a distance that
in no way obstructs the view.
[Illustration]
One great advantage of this canopy is that it is firmer than any other
kind so far suggested.
* * * * *
THE PORTABLE FIRE-ESCAPE is an invention that should recommend
itself to every one. It is small enough to be easily carried, and is so
arranged that the person using it to let himself down from a burning
building can control the rate of speed at which he descends, and avoid all
danger of a sudden fall.
It is firmly hooked on to a clamp that is provided with it, and it
consists of a seat attached to two pulleys, through which the ropes pass.
The person seeking to escape from the fire places himself on the seat,
and, grasping the pulley firmly, lets himself out of the window. By means
of an attachment he is able, as we have said, to regulate the speed of his
descent.
[Illustration]
This invention ought to be of great service to all those who live in high
buildings.
G.H.R.
LETTERS FROM OUR YOUNG FRIENDS.
DEAR EDITOR:
Being a great reader of your paper, I of course felt inclined to
send you some praise, as you deserve it. I am more interested in
Cuba than in the affairs of Crete. I have been to see the new
Library, and consider it the finest in the world. Hoping much
success to the paper, I remain,
Your interested reader,
NATALIE C.
WASHINGTON, D.C.
DEAR NATALIE:
Your letter was received with much pleasure.
EDITOR.
DEAR EDITOR:
My teacher, Miss Galbraith, takes your paper, and I used to be
looking for it; at last I bought it myself, so I could own it.
Your paper is very interesting and helpful in Geography. All my
family are interested in THE GREAT ROUND WORLD,
especially my father.
Will you please tell me if General Maceo is dead or not? We got
so many different stories it is hard to tell which is true. Or
if General Rivera is to be put to death?
I live in New Haven; it is a beautiful city, full of elm trees,
with parks. Also Yale College, from which Nathan Hale and Samuel
Morse graduated.
Your Reader,
JOHN C.
NEW HAVEN, CONN.
P.S.--I am glad that you don't publish prize-fights. It is the
nature of animals, not human beings.
DEAR JOHN:
There is no longer any doubt that General Maceo was killed. The stories
that he was still alive were probably made up by the Cubans, for fear
their countrymen might lose heart if they knew the truth.
You will see in this number of your paper that General Rivera is not to be
shot, according to the present reports. EDITOR.
DEAR EDITOR:
I enjoy THE GREAT ROUND WORLD immensely, and look
forward to its coming every week. I like to read about Greece
and Cuba, and if I were Grecian I would gladly join in the war.
I hope Greece will win, for I pity the poor Cretans under the
cruel rule of Turkey. Wishing your paper many years of success,
I am,
Your friend and reader,
HAROLD R.
NEW YORK, April 8th, 1897
DEAR HAROLD:
Many thanks for your pretty letter. Write to us again soon.
EDITOR.
DEAR MR. EDITOR:
I want to ask you about the _Cometa_. Did the Admiral ever bring
her into the Havana harbor as he boasted that he would, with
flags flying on her?
Do you think Cuba is going to win? I hope that she will.
Are the Americans going to help them?--and then I know the
Cubans will win. Yours truly,
SYDNEY G.
BALTIMORE, April 9th, 1897.
MY DEAR SYDNEY:
The Spanish Admiral has never brought the _Cometa_ into Havana harbor. He
was just spinning a sailor's yarn, apparently.
We hope that Cuba will win her freedom, and it seems very likely that she
will.
You will see in this number of THE GREAT ROUND WORLD that there
is a chance that the President will try to settle the troubles between
Cuba and Spain.
EDITOR.
DEAR EDITOR:
Our teacher takes THE GREAT ROUND WORLD and reads
to us whenever the time will permit. The reading makes an
interesting part of the exercises of the day. We are all anxious
to hear about the war between Cuba and Spain, and we hope Cuba
will soon be free. Can you tell us about how many people pass
over Brooklyn Bridge in a day? I think it is wonderful how
buttons and such articles are made out of milk. Do they have
schools in Freeville? I think we should all be grateful for the
interesting news that is printed for us in your paper each week.
Yours truly,
NELLIE R.
TIFFIN, OHIO, March 24th, 1897.
DEAR NELLIE:
We are glad that you like THE GREAT ROUND WORLD. Why don't you
try and get it for yourself by becoming one of our agents? You can get
your own paper free of charge for two subscriptions, and it would be very
nice to own it yourself, and be able to read it whenever you wanted to.
In Freeville the children are taught to work.
You ask about the number of persons who cross the Brooklyn Bridge daily.
Mr. Martin, the Chief Engineer and Superintendent, has been so kind as to
tell us all about it for you. We publish his note.
EDITOR.
One hundred and twenty-five thousand people per day ride across the bridge
in the cars. Twelve thousand walk over on the promenade. Five thousand
vehicles cross the bridge on the roadways.--C.C. MARTIN, Chief Engineer
and Superintendent.
* * * * *
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