---

The Great Round World

---

Numbers are bound up into four parts each year. Charge for binding, 35 cents a part.

Remittances should be by registered letter, or by check, express-order, or postal-order, payable to The Great Round World Publishing Co.

No receipts are sent for remittances unless requested. The number on the address label represents the number of the paper with which subscription will expire.

Ten days' notice should be given of any change of address.

---

At any of the following stores copies and bound volumes of The Great Round World will be found on sale, and subscribers may exchange their numbers for bound volumes:

---

For terms and particulars address

---

---

---

WILLIAM BEVERLEY HARISON, 3 and 5 West 18th Street, N. Y.

"ONE PIECE"

Adjustable Book Covers.

These covers fit perfectly all sizes of books. They are all ready for use—properly gummed—and do not have to be cut. They are made of a special paper, manufactured exclusively for these covers, which is admitted to be the best for wear, and also for cleanliness, as it is glazed and cannot readily be soiled. They are not easily torn, for when adjusted to a book all exposed edges are of double thickness.

SIZES.

No. A1—Per dozen, *20 cents. Per 100, $1.50. Per 1,000, $12.50.

This size fits the smallest book, and also small 12mos.

No. 1—Same price.

Especially adapted to school and library books. It will fit 16mo. to small 8 vo. sizes, and is suitable for 90 per cent. of the school books in use.

No. 2—Per dozen, *40 cents. Per 100, $2.50 Per 1,000, $17.50.

For small geographies, encyclopædias, law books, &c.

No. 3—Per dozen, *60 cents. Per 100, $3.50. Per 1,000, $25.00.

For large geographies.

Do you not have to buy three sizes to cover Histories, Readers, Arithmetics, &c.?

Look at the book covers you are using and see how they stick to covers; they must injure the books.

"ONE PIECE" Covers will not stick to or injure the covers of the books.

One size will fit Arithmetics, Histories, &c., and the new paper is acknowledged to be heavier, tougher, and better than any other cover paper used.

Send for samples and test them for yourself. Sample dozen, postpaid, 25 cents.

---

FIRST EDITION EXHAUSTED

Cents Each            POSTPAID            $1.00 per Dozen

---

" . . . Wonderfully condensed . . ." "It reads like a romance." "Can be finished in less than an hour, yet gives a full bird's-eye view of a country and people. The author's style is charming." "Accidentally running across your cute little History of Spain, I was so taken with it as an epitome of the sort that I have long believed there was room for, that I would like to see what else you have. So please mail me a couple of sample copies of your weekly, as I have not seen that yet."

"Every school should have a course in Spanish History at this time."

---

---

---

BINDING CASE

To hold loose numbers of the current part of The Great Round World—preventing them from being lost, getting soiled, or scattered. May be had in green, red, or blue cloth. Price, 35 Cents.

THE LIVING METHOD FOR LEARNING

How to Think in French

How to Think in German

How to Think in Spanish

---

---

---

CONTENTS.

the Sierra Leone Massacre 767 The Hawaiian Flag 770 Bombardment of Santiago Forts 771 LATEST NEWS 774

We have received a number of inquiries from our young subscribers in reference to what they may do for the soldiers and sailors. The following circular letter which has just been received will, we feel sure, interest all of our subscribers. The work outlined is certainly to be commended, and we hope to hear of branches of this society being started in other parts of the country.

New Books

"The General's Double," by Captain King, and "Trooper Ross and Signal Butte," by the same author, come to us from the press of J. B. Lippincott Company. The former is a capital story of the Civil War, the plot being based upon the remarkable likeness existing between two men in the Union army. It has all of the charm of the works of this favorite author.

The second book contains two stories, the heroes of both being boys. The first, "Trooper Ross," describes the adventures of an officer's son, his exciting experiences with Indians on the plains as a little chap, taking his part at boarding-school later; then, failing to obtain his admission to West Point, he works his way through the ranks to his commission. "Signal Butte" covers a series of exciting adventures in Arizona, in which two boys are the central figures. This book will prove a great favorite with the boys especially.

This book is published by Crowell & Co., Boston, and is indeed well worth reading. There are two editions—one illustrated, price $1.50; the other without illustrations, price 60 cents.

---

Current History

In our last number we mentioned in the "Latest News" the sinking of the Merrimac at the entrance of the harbor of Santiago; since then a number of accounts have come, which we are sure you will be interested to hear. The brave fellows who were with Lieutenant Hobson were Daniel Montague, George Charette, Osborn Diegnan, George F. Phillips, Francis Kelly, J. C. Murphy, and Randolph Clausen.

Before submitting his plans to Admiral Sampson, Lieutenant Hobson had worked them out to the smallest detail. Shortly before starting he told his plans to one of his companions. He said: "I am quite sure that we can reach to within three or four hundred yards past Estrella battery behind Morro Castle. I do not think that they can sink me before I can get there. When I reach this, the narrowest part of the channel, I shall swing the vessel around, stop the engines, open the sea valves, touch off the torpedoes, and leave the vessel lying across the channel, which is not as broad as the Merrimac is long. There are to be ten torpedoes below the water-line placed against the bulkheads and connected with each other by a wire under the ship. These torpedoes connect with the bridge, and they should do their work very quickly. I shall have four of the men on the deck with me, and in the engine-room two others. We will all be in our underclothing, with our revolvers and ammunition, in water-tight cases, strapped to our waists. Near the anchor forward I shall have one of the men placed, with an axe, and around his waist a light line which will be attached to the bridge where I stand. The minute that I order the engines stopped I shall jerk this cord; this will be a signal to him to cut the lashing and let go the forward anchor. He will then jump overboard and swim to the boat at the stern. The men in the engine-room, after stopping the engines, will open the sea connections, and then join the rest and throw themselves overboard. I shall fire the torpedoes the last thing, and this will insure the rapid

sinking of the vessel." When Hobson was asked if he expected to escape alive, he said: "Well, I suppose the batteries on shore will make it pretty hot for us; but they will not be able to see very clearly, and I think we have a fair chance of getting away. We certainly shall not allow ourselves to be taken prisoners without fighting for it." All Wednesday night the crew were at work on the Merrimac to get her stripped for her final resting-place. Early Thursday morning a start was made, but the vessel was ordered back, as the delays in getting her ready had made it impossible to take advantage of the darkness. Very early Friday morning the second start was made, and this time she succeeded in getting well in shore before the first glimmer of daylight; but soon the crews on the ships, who were anxiously waiting, saw the flash of the first gun on shore, and then a brisk firing began from both batteries and fort, which was kept up for some time. Of the Merrimac, nothing more was seen until broad daylight, when the top of her mast was discovered protruding from the water in just the position that Hobson had planned to place her.

Admiral Cervera sent a boat out with the news that the men had been captured, and to make arrangements for their exchange. Lieutenant Hobson's exploit has received universal praise from all parts of the world; he will unquestionably be promoted and receive special distinction from the Government.

One of the young officers on the New York, Cadet Powell, also displayed great bravery. He was detailed to command the New York's steam launch, which accompanied the Merrimac to pick up Hobson and his men if they succeeded in escaping from the harbor; he was the last man to see them. Speaking of the start, he said: "Hobson was as cool as a cucumber; when I shook hands with him, he said: 'Powell, watch the boat's crew when we pull out of the harbor. We will be cracks, rowing thirty strokes to the minute.' We followed about three-quarters of a mile astern of the Merrimac. When about two hundred yards from the harbor the first gun was fired from the eastern bluff; we were then about a half mile from shore. The firing increased very rapidly, and we lost sight of the Merrimac in the smoke which the wind carried off shore. The western battery finally was used and began firing. They shot wildly, and we did not see where the shots struck. We then ran in closer to the shore. Then we heard the explosion of the torpedoes on the Merrimac. Until daylight we waited, just outside the breakers, about half a mile from Morro Castle, keeping a sharp lookout for a boat or swimmers. Hobson had arranged to meet us off that point; but thinking that some might have drifted out, we crossed in front of Morro. About five o'clock we crossed the harbor again, and in passing saw one spar of the Merrimac sticking out of the water; we hugged the shore just outside the breakers; the batteries saw us and opened fire; it was then broad daylight; and finding nothing, we finally made for the New York; the men behaved splendidly." Great admiration is expressed at the Navy Department in Washington at the coolness and pluck shown by Cadet Powell; he is likely to profit by his great courage. Young Powell is one of the cadets from the Naval Academy whom Lieutenant Hobson secured permission to take with him; they were in the class which Hobson instructed, and he wished them to accompany him in order that they might have practical experience in the effect of explosives on ships. At Annapolis young Powell was considered one of the brightest cadets; he graduated at the head of his class.

Spanish accounts of the blowing up of the Merrimac are exceedingly amusing. The official announcement is made that an American vessel, trying to enter the harbor of Santiago, "was sunk by the batteries"; the affair is described as a brilliant Spanish victory; it is also added that Admiral Cervera personally saved an American officer from drowning, as his ship was in close proximity to the cruiser during the engagement. The official report goes on to say that the mines guarding the harbor were exploded simultaneously with the opening of the fire from the ships, forts, and batteries; congratulations were sent to Admiral Cervera.

Each day is taken advantage of by the Spaniards at Havana to add to their defences. Earthworks are being rapidly thrown up in the neighborhood of the city; a signal service has been established to enable them to guard the coast at all the points, and they feel confident that a successful invasion cannot take place in that part of the island, as it is so well guarded with modern rapid-fire guns in the batteries, and quite a large force is concentrated there for the defence of the city.

Little, if any, news comes from the blockading squadron off the north coast of Cuba; there are, from time to time, reports of engagements and the landing of troops; but official news has not yet been given out, and for this we must wait until the Government deems it advisable to publish it. Several regiments have been embarked at Mobile, and by this time are supposed to be off the coast of Cuba; they started in high spirits, and there was a great deal of enthusiasm on the part of the people who saw them start. They have probably gone by way of Tampa, and been joined there by the other transports.

A great quantity of ammunition and supplies will be sent with the troops, so that they may not suffer from lack of material to make the invasion successful.

One of our New York papers publishes a letter, written by a young girl in Havana to a friend in New York; it gives an excellent idea as to the true state of affairs in Cuba. Among other things, she says:

"Our fisherman brought in some papers from New York, and what a lot of lies they contain! My father and all the other officials say that we have food here for five months—flour, codfish, beans, and groceries—all brought down from New York, and salted meat from Montevideo. . . .

"Pa says that if you Americans had attacked Havana when you declared war it would have surrendered in five hours, but that it is now fortified so that it is strong as Gibraltar. You know, they built a great big railroad upon sticks, in front of the forts, and took cars of sand and dumped them down, so that they have a mound in front of all the forts about thirty feet wide and ten feet high. I went over the fortifications yesterday, and I saw fifteen of those immense 12-inch guns. They say they can shoot twelve miles. We have got 50,000 troops here in Havana, and 60,000 in the provinces, and some 40,000 volunteers. These are all veterans, and all the generals say that it would take an army of 200,000 to beat us. The coast is all supplied with telephone and telegraph wires, so that any time your boats attempt to land we can have a big force there in a couple of hours to drive them off. Part of Cervera's fleet is in Santiago. There is so much mystery about this! Whether the admiral is there or not, no one seems to know. The rest of the fleet, some fifteen vessels, is somewhere down in the Antilles, and Captain-General Blanco says they are going to attack

your coast in about three weeks.

"The Alfonso XII. has been turned into a hospital ship, and all her guns have been taken out of her. You know she is the boat that was anchored opposite the Maine and had in her the pneumatic torpedoes. They say a man named Arjona had something to do with the blowing up of the Maine, but I guess it was Weyler's orders. . . .

"The whole city is divided up into sections on what they call the 'Humanity Committee's plan.' They find out who are in sympathy with the Cubans or with the United States; and in case Havana is bombarded all these people are going to be thrown into Cabanas or shot. The people are such fools they think nothing is known about what they are doing."

We told you in a recent number about the unsuccessful result of the attempt to land an expedition in Cuba; this result was largely due, no doubt, to the fact that the Spaniards were advised in advance, through Spanish spies in this country, of the intended departure of the expedition. On May 31st, the steamer Florida returned to Key West, after having successfully landed an important expedition on the island. This time they succeeded in taking their departure without it being known to any one. The expedition, consisting of about four hundred men, with a pack-train and a large quantity of arms and ammunition, sailed for Guantanamo on the night of May 21st. The expedition was under command of Colonel Lacret, with whom was Captain J. A. Dorst, of the United States army. The men were equipped with canvas uniforms furnished by the Government, and had rations sufficient for fifteen days after landing; the pack-train consisted of seventy-five mules and twenty-five horses; the expedition landed on the coast of Cuba, Thursday morning, May 26th. The Florida, escorted by the gunboat Osceola, drew up close to the shore, and first landed scouts to ascertain if all was clear; these scouts were met by a band of 1,500 insurgents, under Captains Vereira and Rojas. There was absolutely no interruption to the unloading of the Florida, as no sign of a Spaniard was seen. This is the largest expedition which has ever been landed in Cuba in aid of the insurgents.

There is a very interesting account of the origin of the Red Cross Society in The Churchman. About forty years ago, M. Henry Dimont, a native of Switzerland, having witnessed the unnecessary suffering of the wounded, from lack of care, at the battle of Solferino, was so much impressed that he published a book, pointing out the necessity of forming a corporation of nurses to work in the cause of humanity in time of war, regardless of nationality of the injured, and who should be permitted to aid the wounded on the battle-field, under the protection of a flag which should be recognized as neutral.

So much interest was taken in the idea that the outcome was a convention held at Geneva in 1864, which was attended by representatives from sixteen of the great nations of the world, who signed an agreement that they would protect members of the association when caring for the wounded on the field of battle. The society adopted for its colors the Swiss cross, as a compliment to its birthplace; they, however, reversed the colors, and the flag is therefore a red cross on a white field, and is the only military hospital flag of civilized warfare; it protects persons from molestation who work under the emblem performing services in aid of the wounded. Great care is used in granting permission to persons to wear this emblem; and in order that it shall not be taken advantage of to spy in the enemies' camp, private marks are added to prevent imitation. The headquarters of the International Committee is at Geneva; the president of the society is M. Gustav Moynier.

In 1882, Miss Clara Barton was delegated by the President of the United States to represent this country at the Congress of the Red Cross Committee, and was made a member of the International Board of Managers when the United States signed the international treaty.

It was decided that the work of the Red Cross Society should not be confined to times of war, but that in case of disasters and calamities, which were always to be apprehended, the organization was to provide aid. During the past seventeen years the American Red Cross Society has served in fifteen disasters and famines, and Russians, Armenians, and Cubans have received aid from this society.

Friday, June 3d, Samuel Plimsoll, known as the "sailors' friend," died in England. Plimsoll was the originator of the famous "Plimsoll mark," and this is what caused him to be called the sailors' friend. Many years ago it was the custom of unprincipled ship-owners to send their vessels to sea very much overloaded; this was done to save the expense of a double voyage, for in those days there were few steam merchantmen, and sailing-vessels oftentimes took months for their voyages. The Plimsoll mark is painted on the vessel to indicate how much cargo she should carry. When a vessel has her full cargo the Plimsoll mark is at the water-line; laws were passed making it illegal to load vessels so deeply as to sink this mark below the surface of the water, and in consequence sailors' lives are not risked in overloaded vessels.

Some very interesting questions have arisen in reference to the difference of time between Manila and New York. The difference between Manila and New York is about eleven hours; when it is five in the morning in Manila, it is four in the afternoon with us. In order to change Manila time to our time we must deduct about eleven hours. This is all very simple so far as hours are concerned; but when we try to find out what day it is we run against a more complicated matter, for there is a certain place, or rather a certain mysterious line, which the great nations have agreed upon as the international date line. This date line is supposed to be the 180th meridian longitude reckoning from Greenwich; but this meridian is not actually followed, for in the case of the Philippine Islands it takes a long sweep, and passes to the west of them, and, in consequence, there is a difference of nearly a whole day between Manila and Hong-Kong, although the actual difference of time is but about half an hour. This difference causes all kinds of complications there, in that Hong-Kong and Manila are so near each other. A telegram dated at Hong-Kong, say, the 1st of May at one o'clock, will reach us April 30th; if sent direct to Manila it would reach there apparently nearly twenty-four hours before it was sent, for when it is Monday in Manila it is Tuesday in Hong-Kong. This will account for the receipt of the despatch in reference to Commodore Dewey's victory dated Hong-Kong, May 2d, stating that the bombardment was then taking place, whereas it was really Sunday, May 1st, in Manila. The necessity for having an international date line can best be understood if you will imagine yourself travelling around the world in

some sort of a conveyance which enables you to keep pace with the sun; say, for instance, your start is on a Monday, with the sun directly over your head. If it were not for the international date line it would always be Monday to you; instead of this, each time that you cross the 180th meridian the day changes.

A report has been received from Hong-Kong that the insurgent chief Aguinaldo, at the Philippines, has issued a proclamation that would seem to show that he hopes to make himself leader or dictator over the island. The report goes on to say that he has issued orders that the lives and property of Europeans and all Spanish non-combatants are to be protected. It is said that his treatment of the captives has been very fair, and that he is conducting the campaign against Spain in a very able manner. Since he has taken charge of affairs the Spanish soldiers have lost battle after battle, and it is said that there are now in Aguinaldo's hands over two thousand prisoners, including many officers. Aguinaldo reports that the Governor of Cavite (cä-vē-tā) has surrendered to him. One of the American captains has written to Hong-Kong, stating that it is his opinion "that the rebels have undergone a radical change since the arrival of Aguinaldo; the Spaniards have lost every engagement, and if our people do not hurry, there will be no Spanish army left."

The American vessels have taken no part in the fight between Spain and the insurgents; Admiral Dewey has contented himself with superintending and insisting upon proper conduct of affairs. The news he sends is exceedingly cheerful, and he seems to be quite confident that he can hold out until reinforcements arrive; he anticipates no trouble in capturing the city of Manila.

Lieutenant Carranza's missing letter has been found. You will remember we told in our last number of the arrest of a Montreal detective who had been arrested and accused of stealing it. It was not taken by the Montreal detective, but by a secret service officer of our Government. It seems that the Spanish officials at Montreal have been very carefully watched for some time, for it was known that they were spying upon our Government. The detectives had followed Minister Polo and his staff ever since they left Washington, and had secured absolute proof that Du Bosc and Carranza were collecting information and forwarding it to the Spanish Government. On the pretext of purchasing the house, they were shown all over it, and succeeded in securing a number of important letters, cablegrams, maps, etc., which were forwarded to the Government. The letter which Carranza has made so much fuss about was stolen in a very clever way. The detective took a sheet of fly paper, and in a careless way dropped it over the letter; then took up the fly paper and the letter attached to it, and passed it to another detective, who at once forwarded it to Washington. Part of the letter has been published. It is addressed to his Excellency Don Jose Gomez Imay. In it Carranza expresses his regret that Imay was not appointed to command the Cadiz fleet; he speaks disparagingly of Camara and highly of Cervera; most of this part of the letter is in reference to his personal employment by the Government, and he expresses great anxiety to be away to the front and in active service on the fleet.

Speaking of his spy system, he says: "We have had bad luck because they have captured our two best spies. The Americans are showing the most extraordinary vigilance. I shall be extremely gratified to have a ship or a torpedo-boat to run the blockade, or anything rather than playing second fiddle." These quotations go to show that Carranza was not over-pleased with the work of conducting the spy department in Canada. He takes the trouble to criticize Cervera's actions, and he alludes to him as "Don Pasquale," and says that he cannot believe that the Admiral would do such a stupid thing as to get caught in Santiago, his purpose being to attack the American fleet and delay the invasion of Cuba. This letter demonstrates very clearly the wisdom of the Government in keeping carefully guarded all knowledge of the movements of our army and navy, for Carranza has taken advantage of the statements published and information easily obtained heretofore, and has kept his Government informed, and has also personally been advising Admiral Cervera whenever opportunity offered: he speaks of having cabled to Cervera on 20th of May. Our Government has made application to the English Government for the expulsion of the Spanish spies from British territory.

Kellert, the Montreal detective, has caused the arrest of both Du Bosc and Carranza, in a civil suit for damages for false imprisonment; so the Spaniards are in hotter water than ever, especially as all of their money in the Bank of Montreal has been seized as security.