Progress

Just now England is under such terrible expense that it is thought that her present exchequer is in danger of exhaustion.

She is sending forces to the Nile to settle the Egyptian troubles there, and she has the uprisings on the Indian frontier, which are likely to cause her considerable expense.

Then, too, there is that vast loan which she has offered to China and which is creating a sensation among the European Powers.

England has taken a firm position with regard to the occupation of Kiao-Chou by Germany and the seizure of Port Arthur by the Russians.

She has openly sent two war-ships to each of these ports.

This does not mean that she wishes to provoke war. It is intended probably as a hint to Germany and Russia that if they go too far she is ready to fight.

THE EASTERN QUESTION!!!THE EASTERN QUESTION!!!

Germany, however, has repeated that Kiao-Chou is to be a free port, and this statement is being echoed with satisfaction by the English press.

Nevertheless, the English papers show an astonishingly warlike spirit, and the English people are said to be delighted by the pluck and force which Lord Salisbury has shown in this crisis.

During the past few years Lord Salisbury has been accused of a willingness to make almost any concession to avoid dragging England into a war.

A writer in the New YorkSunhas lately published a very able and interesting article on the relation of the United States to the present crisis in the East.

In this country we have been so absorbed in watching the rivalry between the European Powers over China that we have given very little thought to its effect on ourselves.

The writer inThe Sunshows that it may affect us very seriously.

He does not believe that there is any immediate danger of a war as a result of the seizure of Kiao-Chou, and he adds that the present excitement may be "for the purpose of finding out just what the pretensions of the various Powers are with regard to China."

"The attitude of Great Britain," he writes, "is one requiring close examination, because of the magnitude and far-reaching character of her demands on China. Briefly stated, they are:

"First, that China shall accept a loan guaranteed by Great Britain; secondly, that as security the customs administration shall be placed under her agents, with a contingent control of thelikinor internal customs; thirdly, the right to push the Burmese railways at once into Yunnan and Sechuen; and, fourthly, that no cessions of territory shall be made to any other power south of the Yang-tse-kiang."

The immense importance of these demands the writer very clearly explains.

WESTERN GATE, PEKIN, CHINA.WESTERN GATE, PEKIN, CHINA.

If England were to grant China the enormous loan that she needs to pay the war indemnity to Japan,she would secure "a controlling voice in all future financial transactions which the Chinese Government might wish or be forced to undertake."

If China agreed to the second proposition, England could manage the customs in such a way as to "attract the vast bulk of the internal trade of China to herself."

He writes further:

"The third and fourth demands hang together, but have to be treated separately. The concession to Great Britain of the unrestricted right to construct railways from Burmah into the southwestern provinces of China would have the effect of turning them into commercial tributaries of Great Britain.

"A railway connecting Rangoon in Burmah by way of Bhamo with Ichang at the head of navigation on the Yang-tse-kiang would act as a suction pipe to draw away to the port of Rangoon the trade of the most prosperous and flourishing parts of China, and give products taking that route the advantage of many days in point of time and of distance in the race for the European markets. By just so much trade as might take the British route through Burmah, would the potential trade of other Powers, with no other but all sea routes from the coast at their command, be diminished.

"The advantage British manufactures would have for entry and distribution into the vast and populous regions which the British Government proposes to penetrate by means of railways constructed by British capital, and affording employment to British labor and shipping, are too obvious to need enlarging upon.

"A glance at the map will show that the better half of China proper, territorially and commercially,would, by the concession of the third and fourth of England's demands, be placed under her practical control."

The writer believes that the fourth demand is aimed at stopping the advance of the French in China beyond Tonquin.

Now comes the point of his article most interesting to us as Americans.

How are our interests in China to be affected by the European encroachments there?

They would be greatly injured, the writer points out, if any European Power were to secure such control in China that our Chinese trade would be restricted.

Consequently, our interests are on the side of China and of Japan, for the Japanese must now be looking with astonishment and alarm at the possible partition by European Powers of the nation which she herself conquered only a short time ago.

"It cannot possibly be for the advantage of this country to aid in establishing the financial and commercial, with the eventual political, predominance of any one country in China."

And further:

"The protestations in the British press and by prominent members of the British Government, that England does not ask for herself any privileges that she is not willing to see extended to all other nations, is fine political rhetoric, but one has only to point to India, and ask how much Great Britain's control and administration of that country, with its vast population, have contributed to the general commerce and wealth of the world."

In the Reichstag the other day, Baron von Buelow made an important announcement regarding the killing of the German missionaries in China that led to the German occupancy of Kiao-Chou.

The negotiations between Germany and China over the affair, he said, were now practically concluded, and with very satisfactory results.

The Governor of Shan-Tung had been removed and would be forever barred from holding another public office.

Six officials, accused by Germany of taking part in the murders, had also been degraded and punished, and the actual perpetrators of the crimes would be treated as they deserved.

China had promised to pay heavy damages for the injury done to the mission, and would, moreover, provide for the erection of three churches, each marked with a tablet to indicate that they were under the protection of the Emperor.

China would also furnish the money necessary for the erection of seven residences for the Catholic prefecture of Tsao-Chou-Fu.

The Chinese Government finally agreed to issue a special Imperial edict to insure the future protection of the German missions.

Major Williams, who was sent to London by the Treasury Department to inquire into the means for enforcing the new sealskin exclusion act, has acknowledged that his inquiries have discouraged him. He believes it will be impossible for the Government to enforce the law in its present form. Comparatively few of the sealskins can be identified after they have passed through the hands of the wholesale and the retail dealers.

So it looks as if the Government would have to find some other way to protect the seals from threatened extinction.

The observations of the eclipse of the sun on the 22d of January, taken at Talni, India, are said to have been completely successful.

The astronomers who had gone to Talni from Great Britain to represent the British Astronomical Association, and from the Lick Observatory at San Francisco, succeeded in taking some excellent photographs.

While the eclipse was complete, the light is said to have equalled that of the full moon.

Wherever observations were made, the results are reported to have been satisfactory.

During the eclipse, Venus, Mars, and Mercury were clearly seen.

The report that Mr. Gladstone is in very feeble health has been confirmed.

It looks now as if one of the greatest careers in the whole history of England would soon be ended.

Mr. Gladstone, however, has always had such remarkable vitality that his admirers all over the world hope that he will be spared a few years longer.

Still, there can be no doubt that his work is over. And what wonderful work it has been!

As Mr. Gladstone was born in Liverpool on the 29th of December, 1809, he is now in his eighty-ninth year.

Since 1894, when his failing eyesight forced him to leave public life, he has lived very quietly at his home in Hawarden.

But he has continued to take an active interest in public affairs, and he has devoted himself to the studies in which he has had a life-long interest. On several occasions, too, he has spoken out on subjects of grave importance, showing his old-time vigor and courage.

His death would be a loss not only to England, but to the world at large.

He has always taken a deep interest in the American Government and in the American people.

In this country, "the Grand Old Man," as Mr. Gladstone has long been called, is regarded with great admiration and affection.

An account of Mr. Gladstone's career will be published in a later number ofThe Great Round World.

It will show why he is so highly honored as a statesman, a writer, and as a friend of his fellow-men.

Many readers ofThe Great Round Worlddoubtless remarked the great strike that took place in Chicago more than three years ago, and the share in it of Debs, the political agitator, which led to his imprisonment.

Within the past few months Debs has been busily engaged in making plans to found a colony for unemployed men and women, where they will be given opportunities of earning a living.

He has lately purchased 30,000 acres of land in Tennessee for this purpose.

It will be interesting to watch the outcome of this experiment.

As a rule, experiments of this kind are not successful.

It is to be hoped that this new undertaking will prove to be an exception.

Our workingmen certainly need help. All over the world they are complaining, and many people believe that, unless their condition is improved, they will resort to violence against the rich.

So all efforts in their behalf are particularly interesting at this time.

It is announced that the Emperor of Germany, who is fond of roving about the world, will start on his much-discussed trip to the Holy Land about the middle of next April.

He is to start from Hamburg on his yacht with his two eldest sons, and he will return in six weeks.

It is reported that he will then pay a visit to the Sultan at Constantinople.

Europe watches every move of the Emperor's with the greatest interest and with curiosity as to whether it has a political significance.

ProgressInventionand Discovery

A NEW SPRING-POST FOR BICYCLES.—This post does not seem to have the objectionable features that other spring-posts have. It is small, neat, compact, and at the same time does its work admirably, as we have reason to know, having had it tested. The illustration shows quite clearly how it is constructed. To the ordinary observer, when it is attached to a bicycle it appears to be an common seat-post; the spring, however, prevents the constant vibration which is so trying to the rider and so hard on the machine, especially in riding over cobblestones.

Spring-Post

Riding a machine with this spring-post, as compared with one without it, is very much like riding in a spring carriage as compared with the ordinary springless cart.

Buoy with light

A clever invention, which originated in France, is a life-saving buoy that has been used on the River Seine in Paris. Persons falling into the water at night often lose their lives because it is impossible to ascertain their whereabouts; or, if a life-saving apparatus of any kind is thrown to them in the darkness, they frequently drown before they can find it. This small apparatus consists of a combination of a buoy with an electric light; when the buoy is thrown into the water the light is lighted automatically. In connection with this invention the life-savers in Paris use a grappling-hook which we illustrate. This has an electric light near the end in the oval space; this lightmakes it possible to grapple for persons who may have gone down beneath the water.

Grappling Hook

We have also received from France the account of an invention in the shape of a bicycle lamp in which acetylene is burned. The great difficulty with the use of acetylene has heretofore been that the gas will not burn unless under high pressure, and the receptacles in which the gas is generated could not be so made as to insure them against exploding. Acetylene gas, as generally used, is generated by bringing water in contact with the calcium carbide. The gas forms so rapidly that it is extremely difficult to control it, therefore the attention of inventors has been directed to this question. This lamp seems to be a very clever arrangement for producing the gas in the right quantity without danger of explosion.

Acetylene lamp

It is described very clearly by the illustration herewith. The upper part, "E," is a small reservoir in which water is put; this water is released in small quantities through the tube at the right, and, flowing into the lower part of the lamp, comes in contact with the calcium carbide, which is in the receptacle "P"; the gas thus generated is held in the reservoir "G," and when sufficient pressure has been created is forced out through the burner "B."

The lamp is small and compact; it is but four inches high, and yields a beautiful bright light which will not blow out. When it is desired to put the light out, the button "R" is pressed down, thus shutting off the supply of water; this stops the generation of the gas, and the lamp soon goes out.

"C. H.," Germantown, Pa., asks if the bicycles used in the Klondike have rubber tires. We have seen no authentic account of the use of bicycles there. It is extremely improbable that any kind of a bicycle can be used to advantage in the Arcticreigons, although a bicycle may be ridden with care safely on smooth snow or ice.

SELECTED LIST OF NEW BOOKS

There oftencome into our hands great bargains in DICTIONARIES, ENCYCLOPÆDIAS, &c., &c., and we are glad to give our readers the benefit of these bargains.

WE NOW HAVE ON HAND

One set of THE AMERICAN ENCYCLOPÆDIC DICTIONARY, 4 volumes,full sheep, in all 4731 pages, illustrated, 1896 edition—published at $20.00, AS NEW,$10.00One set. The same. Cloth, AS NEW. Published at $16.008.00

One set of THE AMERICAN ENCYCLOPÆDIC DICTIONARY, 4 volumes,full sheep, in all 4731 pages, illustrated, 1896 edition—published at $20.00, AS NEW,

We should be glad to quote on any dictionary or encyclopædia—in fact any book.AddressTHE GREAT ROUND WORLD PUBLISHING CO.5 WEST 18TH STREET, NEW YORK CITY

Dr. EDWARD JOYNES, Professor of South Carolina College, Columbia S. C., says ofThieme's Preusser's German and English Dictionary: "... a book so beautiful, so valuable, and so monumental—whose new appearance forms justly a 'Jubilee' event, in memory of its present editor and publishers. In external beauty, in paper, type, presswork, and binding, and all that belongs to solid and elegant book-making, the volume is a fine specimen of German skill, good taste, and thoroughness. And as a contribution to our lexicography, and its completeness and convenience, ittakes rank with the foremost and best. Such a book is at once a boon to scholars and a new bond of union between great and kindred nations. It will give me great pleasure to recommend its use to teachers and pupils wherever I have opportunity."

Price, elegantly bound in Half Russia, $5.00; sent prepaid upon receipt of amount by

William Beverley Harison (Foreign Department), 3 and 5 West 18th Street, New York.

The School Recordis a wide-awake Monthly Journal for teacher and pupil. 36 big pages. High-class, practical, and helpful. Every department up to date. The universal testimony from subscribers is "Best paper I ever saw"; "Am delighted with it," etc. 50 cents a year. We want agents in every part of the U. S., at teachers' institutes and associations. Big commission. Send for sample copy and premium list if you are a prospective subscriber or agent.

The School Record

AddressThe School Record...ALBION, MICHIGAN

PUT UP IN BRIGHT-COLORED, ENAMELED ANDHIGHLY-FINISHED, ATTRACTIVE BOXES . . .

No.

1100. STRANGE PEOPLE

Depicting the dress, manners, and customs of the nations of the world; introducing many of the Oriental characters made famous by the Chicago Columbian Exposition and the Midway.

1101. ELECTION

A most exciting and entertaining United States political game. Easily comprehended by a child, yet allowing scope for unlimited skill. Contains much political information.

1102. WILD ANIMALS

The inhabitants of the forest and jungle are always favorites with the children, and they will recognize many of their acquaintances of the Zoo and the Menagerie in the 53 animals shown in this interesting game.

1103. OAK LEAVES

An instructive student's game, showing many varieties of Oaks in their natural colors; beautiful enameled cards.

1104. THE PINES

An interesting study of nature, illustrating a variety of Pines, in colors; enameled and highly finished surface.

1105. MAPLE GROVE

A new game for young and old, introducing all kinds of Maple leaves, printed in colors; enameled surface.

1106. CHESTNUT BURRS

In this game are grouped various illustrations of the fruits of forest trees—walnut, hickory, chestnut, etc. Enameled and highly finished.

1108. WHITE SQUADRON

This game embraces a series of beautiful half-tones of representative vessels of the United States Navy, together with description of each.

1109. OUR UNION

Colored maps of all the States and Territories of the United States; an interesting geographical game, giving population, dates or admission to the Union, principal cities, etc.

1110. POPULATION

A very instructive game, showing maps and population of all the principal countries of the world; 48 accurate and reliable maps. So simple and amusing that it is a favorite with old and young.

1111. FLAGS

Showing the national flags of all the principal countries of the world; the flags are reproduced in many colors; a most instructive and useful game.

1112. FRACTION-PLAY

Indispensable to the student of fractions; amusing and instructive to all; 52 cards, showing fractions which are made up into various combinations by addition and subtraction, forming a very interesting home game.

1113. IN CASTLE-LAND

One of the most beautiful games ever issued; handsome half-tone illustrations of the old world's most famous castles. Picturesque, entertaining, and instructive. Enameled and highly finished.

1114. INDIVIDUAL AND PROGRESSIVE NILOE

An entirely new and amusing game for individual and progressive play. Can be played at first sight. Equally adaptive for young and old; each game contains cards for four tables or sixteen players.

1115. IN THE WHITE-HOUSE

A new historical game. Half-tone portraits of all the Presidents of the United States, with principal events of each administration.

1116. NATIONALITIES

The people of the various nations of the world in colors. Bright and attractive. Interesting rules for play.

1117. ARTISTS

The world's most popular and famous paintings. Beautiful chromo-gravure reproductions. A fine game.

1118. IN DIXIE-LAND

Life-like sketches from the Sunny South. Chromo-gravure illustrations of a happy people.

1119. FIRESIDE AUTHORS

Portraits of 52 of the world's most famous writers. Entirely new rules for playing this famous game.

1130. YOUNG FOLKS' FAVORITE AUTHORS

Portraits of writers dear to our young people. Such favorites as Pansy, Louisa M. Alcott, Oliver Optic, Eugene Field, etc. The game is played by the conventional Authors rules.

1121. THE MAYFLOWER

Depicting Puritan life and times. The Departure, and landing of the Mayflower in Plymouth harbor. The Plymouth of 1621 and to-day. Interesting rules for play.

RULES WITH EACH GAME

Nos. 1114, 1117, and 111835c. per boxAll other games listed herein25c. per box

If to be sent by mail, add five cents for postage on each game.FOR SALE BY

EDUCATIONAL GAZETTE CO.36 East AvenueRochester, N. Y.

In The Story Land

ByHarriett Lincoln Coolidge. 1 volume, cloth, red, or blue, and silver. Price, 75 cents. 3 parts. Boards, 25 cents each.

A series of jolly, bright, interesting stories. A fascinating book for young boys and girls.

Old Mother Earth.—Her Highways and Byways

ByJosephine Simpson. Price, 36 cents.

This book tells all about the world's wonders, in simple attractive language.

Great Round World Natural History Stories

ByJulia Truitt Bishop. 2 vols. (boards), price, 50 cents each; 11 parts (paper), 10 cents each.

A series of true stories and anecdotes of animals. Containing "Juan," "Clem," and Mrs. Bishop's other bright stories, gathered together now for the first time.

The Story of Washington

ByJessie R. Smith. Price, 20 cents.

With illustrations by children.

Four True Stories of Life and Adventure

ByJessie R. Smith. Price, 36 cents.

These two books are the famousSanta Rosa Reproduction Stories. They are all stories retold by children, and for this reason most attractive to them.

Classic Myths

ByMary Catharine Judd. Price, 50 cents.

The fascinating old fairy stories rewritten for young children.

Skyward and Back

By same author. Price, 30 cents.

Old favorite stories rewritten for the little ones.

Evolution of Empire Series

ByMary Platt Parmele. 4 vols. Price per vol., 60 cents.

Histories of the United States, England, France, and Germany in attractive, interesting, and fascinating style.

Simple Lessons in the Study of Nature

ByIsabella G. Oakley. Price, 50 cents.

A delightful introduction to Nature Study, for school or home use.

Child's Handbook for Collecting Pictures and Stories of Animals

Price (reduced), 75 cents.

A most attractive scrap-book for collecting and classifying pictures and anecdotes of animals.

Sold by all Booksellers. Sent, postpaid, upon receipt of price, byWILLIAM BEVERLEY HARISON3 and 5 West 18th Street, New York

LeafSydow-Habenicht's Wall MapsLeaf

Leaf

1.Maps of the world (Eastern and Western Hemispheres, MercatorChart, North and South Pole Charts).2.Europe.3.Asia.4.Australia and Polynesia.5.Africa.6.North America.7.South America.8.Germany and adjoining countries.9.Austria-Hungary.10.The Balkan Peninsula.11.Italy.12.The Iberian Peninsula.13.France.14.The British Isles.15.The Scandinavian Peninsula.16.Russia.

+———PRICES:———+

Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 12—Size, 65 × 80 inches—each in 12 loose sheets,$4.50. Mounted on linen in portfolio, each,$6.50. Mounted on linen with rollers, each,$8.00. Mounted on linen with rollers and varnished, each,$9.00

Nos. 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15—Size, 56 × 66 inches—each in 9 loose sheets,$3.50. Mounted on linen in portfolio, each,$5.50. Mounted on linen with rollers, each,$7.00. Mounted on linen with rollers and varnished, each,$8.00.

The Sydow-Habenicht Wall Maps are universally acknowledged by all authorities to be THE best in existence.

LeafChart of the WorldLeaf

Leaf

Showing the Sea Currents and Wind Zones, the Variation of the Magnetic Needle, the Condition of Floating Icebergs, the Telegraphic Cables round the Earth, the Regular Line of Steamers, Principal Overland Routes, Most Important Sailing-Vessel Tracks, etc.

Completely Revised by H. Habenicht and B. Domann

Size, 40 × 62 inches

PRICES:Mounted on linen with polished rods and rings.$7.50Mounted on linen with polished rods and rings, varnished.8.25Mounted on linen, folded in cloth case (8×10).7.50Mounted on linen, folded in leather case (8×10).9.00

FOR SALE BYWILLIAM BEVERLEY HARISONFOREIGN DEPARTMENT(EDWARD ACKERMANN, Manager)3 & 5 West 18th Street NEW YORK

Leaf

SubscriptionPrice..52 numbers..$1.50per yearAddressThe GreatRound WorldPublishing Co.3 and 5 West18th StreetNew York CityFlourishpriceseparatelywith"g. r. w."Atlantic$4.00$5.00Book Buyer1.002.25Bookman2.003.25Chap-Book2.003.00Century Magazine4.005.00Cosmopolitan1.002.25Critic3.004.25Current Literature3.004.00Forum3.004.00Harper'sBazaar4.004.75Harper's Monthly4.004.75Harper's Weekly4.004.75Illustrated American4.004.75Independent3.004.00Judge5.006.00Leisure Hour1.002.25Life5.006.00Lippincott's3.003.75Literary Digest3.004.25McClure's1.002.25Munsey's1.002.25New England Magazine3.004.00North American Review5.005.75Our Little Ones and Nursery1.002.25Outing3.003.75Outlook3.004.25Puck5.006.00Review of Reviews2.503.50Saint Nicholas3.004.00Scientific American3.004.25Scribner's3.004.00Short Stories2.503.75Truth (New York)2.503.50

Flourishpriceseparatelywith"g. r. w."Atlantic$4.00$5.00Book Buyer1.002.25Bookman2.003.25Chap-Book2.003.00Century Magazine4.005.00Cosmopolitan1.002.25Critic3.004.25Current Literature3.004.00Forum3.004.00Harper'sBazaar4.004.75Harper's Monthly4.004.75Harper's Weekly4.004.75Illustrated American4.004.75Independent3.004.00Judge5.006.00Leisure Hour1.002.25Life5.006.00Lippincott's3.003.75Literary Digest3.004.25McClure's1.002.25Munsey's1.002.25New England Magazine3.004.00North American Review5.005.75Our Little Ones and Nursery1.002.25Outing3.003.75Outlook3.004.25Puck5.006.00Review of Reviews2.503.50Saint Nicholas3.004.00Scientific American3.004.25Scribner's3.004.00Short Stories2.503.75Truth (New York)2.503.50

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THE GREAT ROUND WORLD.

Albert Ross Parsons,President American College of Musicians: "For the purpose of eliciting a free expression of opinion from my son Richard Percival Parsons, aged 10, I bought a copy ofThe Great Round Worldfor three or four weeks in succession, and simply left it lying where he would be likely to see it. In about four weeks he had interested himself so deeply in its contents that he voluntarily asked if he might subscribe for it, a wish which I was only too glad to gratify. The bound volume of the first fifteen numbers has remained his daily mental food and amusement ever since it arrived. I thank you for your great service both to our young people and to their elders."

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