The Great Round World and What Is Going On In It, Vol. 1, No. 25, April 29, 1897

From all over that section of the country people have declared that they have seen the thing, and that it is really an air-ship; but whether there is any truth in these reports or not, it is impossible as yet to tell.

One thing is certain, however, that a great many persons are experimenting with air-ships, for from five or six different towns word has come that so-and-so has been experimenting with an air-ship for a long time, and perhaps the object in the sky is his perfected ship.

We may live to travel by air-ship yet.

The New York Elevated Roads have put on bicycle trains.

Between certain hours of the morning and afternoon on Sundays, the trains will run bicycle cars.

These cars are made with a line of bicycle racks running down one side, and a row of seats facing them on the other.

The fare is fifteen cents, and none but persons with wheels are allowed to ride on these trains.

The experiment has proved such a success that the surface cars are talking of running trailer-cars for bicycles on Sundays, and, during certain seasons, on week-days.

War has been declared between Greece and Turkey, and the meddling of the Powers has brought about nothing better than a long delay, in which the angry feelings between the two countries have had time to grow so strong and deep that nothing but blood will satisfy them.

On April 16th Turkey formally declared war upon Greece.

The reason given by Turkey was that Greek troops had taken part in the last raid made by the brigands, and that therefore Greece had already commenced war.

In his letter stating his reasons for declaring war, the Sultan said he hoped the Powers would agree with him that Greece was really to blame for his action.

Greece has been hoping that she could force Turkey to declare war, that she might escape from the penalties threatened by the Powers if she was the first to begin the fight. She is now free from any further fear that they will blockade her ports, and can fight the enemy without interference.

The various Consuls and Ministers have been recalled to Turkey from Greece, and the Sultan has issued an order that all Greeks must leave Turkish territory within fifteen days.

The fighting has been very furious on both sides.

The war broke out in two different places. On the west coast of Turkey is the Gulf of Arta. Here the Greek war-ships have bombarded the town of Preveza, and reduced it to ashes.

Farther inland a Greek force has crossed the border into Epirus, and driven the Turks before it. The Greeks are endeavoring to march on to Janina, the capital of Epirus. Epirus is one of the Greek provinces which King George desires to win back for his country.

On the frontier of Macedonia the Greeks have not been so successful, for the Turks have won from them a very important mountain pass, the Pass of Milouna, which opens the plains of Larissa to them.

This has been a very severe blow to the Greeks, and unless they can force the Turks back again they are in danger of losing the town of Larissa, where most of the supplies for the army have been sent; its loss would be a terrible one!

There is another pass to the plains of Larissa, called Reveni. This the Greeks are holding bravely; the Turks were defeated with great loss in their attack.

The Crown Prince has sent a telegram to Athens, saying that the victory lies with Greece so far, and that he intends to try and take back Milouna from the Turks.

It is said that Germany persuaded Turkey to declare war, and that the Kaiser is in full sympathy with the Sultan.

England has declared herself neutral, which means she will not side with either party; but it would appear that strong efforts are being made in the British Parliament to force England to aid Greece.

It is feared that if Greece should whip the Turks, the great European war can no longer be avoided. The reason for saying this is that, if Turkey is defeated, the Ottoman Empire will fall to pieces, and all the Powers may join in one free fight for a share of the plunder.

    Genie H. Rosenfeld.

LETTERS FROM OUR FRIENDS

From Monterey, Cal., come the two following letters about books:

Dear Editor:

I thought that I should take much pleasure in writing to The Great Round World.

I have been reading your magazines for several months, and I greatly enjoy them.

Among the books that I like to read are those of the Stories of the Ancient Greeks, but for current events I greatly prefer The Great Round World.

    Ever your reader,
    Rosa B.

Monterey, Cal.

Dear Editor:

I enjoy reading The Great Round World very much. I think it is very interesting, as well as instructive.

One of the books I like best is Kipling's "Jungle Book." I think all of the readers of The Great Round World would enjoy it also.

I will close now, wishing great success to The Great Round World.             Marion C.

Monterey, Cal., April 7th, 1897.

We are very much obliged to our kind young readers.

Rudyard Kipling's "Jungle Book," of which there are two volumes—"The First Jungle Book" and "The Second Jungle Book"—is a very delightful series of stories of Indian life, and those of our readers who have not yet read them have a great treat in store.

"The First Jungle Book" is perhaps the better of the two, and the tale of the little Mongoose Rikki Tikki is so delightful that you can read it again and again with pleasure.

Dear Editor:

I like The Great Round World. Mrs. Mills, my teacher, reads something out of it every morning that she has time. Will you please answer a few questions? Can the prisoners in Sing Sing prison talk together? If not, why not? Can they, after doing their day's work, do work for themselves and keep the money? Yours truly,

    Carl C.

Cheyenne, Wyo., April 5th, 1897.

My Dear Carl:

The prisoners in Sing Sing are not allowed to talk together. This is part of their punishment. Prisoners cannot do work for themselves and keep the money. They used to have certain tasks given to them every day, and when these were done they went back to their cells. Under the present law they stay in their cells all the time, except for a certain period of exercise, when they go round and round the prison yard.

    Editor.

ANCIENT GREECE