Various

“ Cuba continues to furnish us with its share of current history; the news is no more encouraging than that of previous weeks, however.
In the East the situation has not materially changed. It continues interesting—so interesting that this subject is uppermost in the minds of the civilized world. While any day may witness the peaceful settlement of the whole trouble, it is by no means certain but that selfish motives of one of the Great Powers may, at any minute, cause a general European war.
England's attention is divided between China and Egypt. ”

“ The socialistic newspapers are those papers that advocate the doctrine of Socialism, which may be said to have grown out of the French Revolution.
Socialism is founded on the theory that all rights and privileges and benefits should be shared equally by all the members of the community, and that the wealth of the world should be in the hands of the Government, which should have the power of distributing it. The citizens, instead of competing with one another, as they do now, should work together for the general good and be paid alike. ”

“ For the busy people who cannot read all the periodicals or the family with the limited pocketbook, who can afford only one or two each month, Current Literature is an inestimable blessing, selecting and reprinting, as it does, the best things of the month. ”

“ It is odd to think of a princess, even of an Hawaiian princess, as being educated, like other girls, in a school. But the school she attended was for those pupils only who had some claim on the succession to the throne. ”

“ These remarks are important, as they refer back to the very beginning of the troubles in Hawaii which led to the present plan of making the islands a part of the United States.
In saying that the annexation of the islands would be a "complete departure from our national mission," Mr. Cleveland meant that it was the policy of our Government not to go outside of America to acquire territory, but to let other nations alone just as we ourselves wish to be let alone. ”

“ 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.
[Pg 149]
A writer in the New York Sun has 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 in The Sun shows that it may affect us very seriously. ”

“ Among our legislators and in our newspapers a great deal of sympathy was expressed for the revolutionists and a great deal said in favor of annexation.
At last the republic of Hawaii formally requested that it be made a part of the United States. This [Pg 139] brought the matter before Congress, where, as we have said, it is now being carefully considered.
In her book, Liliuokalani makes this strong appeal to the people of the United States not to take sides with those who have driven her from her throne:
"O honest Americans, as Christians, hear me for my downtrodden people! ”

“ As intelligible a reason as can be given is that this alliance by adoption cemented the ties of friendship between the chiefs. It spread to the common people, and it has doubtless fostered a community of interest and harmony. ”

“ A number of years later, in 1862, Liliuokalani became his wife.
This long name, by the way, was not given her until 1877, when the heir to the throne died, and she became the next in succession to the reigning King Kalakaua.
This King may be said to have helped to cause the revolution that made Hawaii a republic. In 1887 he [Pg 137] was persuaded by the white residents, largely Americans or the sons of Americans, to give the country a new constitution that took away a great deal of his power. ”

“ 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 of The 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. ”

“ The Cuban President and his Cabinet are not likely to be molested, as they are concealed in remote and inaccessible mountain-passes.
A good deal of newspaper talk has been created by the acceptance of General Blanco's Government by Gen. Juan Massó, cousin of President Bartolomé Massó, and his brigade, and by the surrender of five private soldiers belonging to the command of Gen. Maximo Gomez, the insurgent commander-in-chief. ”

“ The proposed annexation of the Hawaiian islands is still being actively discussed in the Senate.
The friends of the bill are doing their best to present every argument for it in the most convincing way.
Senator Morgan, however, went a little too far the other day in his zeal in its behalf. He declared that ex-President Cleveland wanted the islands to be annexed to the United States, but that he thought the ex-Queen ought first to be restored to the throne and given an opportunity to let the islands be acquired by purchase. ”

“ 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. ”

“ 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. ”

“ Then, too, a great meeting was recently held in Boston to uphold Cuba's cause, and the feeling in favor of the Cubans has been strongly shown throughout the United States.
But the Cuban insurgents are suspicious of Americans, because our Government has done nothing to help them. ”

“ Many people believe that though this doctrine sounds very Christian-like, it would not work. The industrious would get no more for their labor than the idle. So the idle would become more idle, and the industrious would lose all incentive to do their best. ”

“ The Spaniards maintain that the insurgents are at the end of their resources, that very misleading reports of the war are sent to this country, and that the Cuban Junta in New York gives information that cannot be relied upon to the papers. ”

“ 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 ”

“ It would greatly encourage commerce between the United States and Hawaii by making the trade absolutely free, and it would open up to Americans a great many industries, the chief among them being coffee-growing.
It would also vastly improve the condition of the islands themselves. [Pg 141]
In case annexation is rejected by our Government, President Dole says the Hawaiian Government will continue much as it is at present.
Whatever happens, there is slight prospect that Liliuokalani will be restored to her throne. ”

“ Our Naturalist has already received enough suggestions for his projected book to enable him to write a library, we think, but he says that he is quite in earnest in wanting to hear from many thousand boys and girls on this subject. ”

“ This has an electric light near the end in the oval space; this light [Pg 159] makes it possible to grapple for persons who may have gone down beneath the water.
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 ex [Pg 160] ploding. ”

“ Four True Stories of Life and Adventure
By Jessie R. Smith. Price, 36 cents.
These two books are the famous Santa Rosa Reproduction Stories. They are all stories retold by children, and for this reason most attractive to them. ”

“ 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. ”