The Great Round World And What Is Going On In It, Vol. 1, No. 24, April 22, 1897: A Weekly Magazine for Boys and Girls

In Short

This volume serves as a curated news digest for young people at the close of the Victorian era. It covers the Cuban War of Independence, the looming tension in the Transvaal, and the modernization of New York City, while answering curious questions from its readership. By blending hard news with educational excursions and gentle moral guidance, it provides a window into the values and anxieties of 1897. It survives as a vital historical document that captures the earnest, pedagogical spirit of children’s media during the Gilded Age.

The Story

The narrative arc of this weekly edition follows the interconnected nature of global power, beginning with the struggle for control in Cuba. The magazine reports on the capture of General Ruis Rivera by Spanish forces and the subsequent fear that he will be executed as a rebel. It contrasts this grim news with the clever success of the filibustering expedition on the Laurada, where Cuban insurgents successfully landed arms by intimidating a Spanish garrison. While the conflict in Cuba remains volatile, the magazine tracks the movements of General Gomez and the internal decay of the Spanish army, noting that soldiers in Havana are mutinous due to lack of pay and the replacement of their modern rifles with outdated equipment.

The focus then shifts to the "Eastern Question" and the turbulence in Crete, where the arrival of British Highlanders—dressed in kilts and playing bagpipes—causes confusion and fear among both Turks and Cretans who mistake the soldiers for supernatural creatures. This leads into the brewing instability along the Greek frontier, where the Crown Prince prepares for a war that popular sentiment seems to demand regardless of diplomatic attempts to maintain peace.

Turning to Africa, the magazine details the fallout of the Transvaal Raid. It exposes the scheme of Cecil Rhodes and Dr. Jameson to disenfranchise the Boers under the guise of fair voting, marking the act as an "infamous" fraud. The tension between England and the Transvaal, exacerbated by German interference and the shipment of arms, suggests an inevitable clash. In a surprising turn, the magazine highlights the rise of Abyssinia, recounting how King Menelik’s decisive defeat of Italian forces has forced global powers to seek his friendship, proving that "civilized" nations are not the only actors on the world stage.

Back at home, the reader is brought to the American riverfronts, where severe floods threaten New Orleans, and the legislature pushes through a new Tariff Bill. The magazine concludes with the impending creation of "Greater New York," a massive consolidation of cities and counties that will soon make New York the second-largest city in the world. Between these major reports, the magazine serves as a forum for its young audience, discussing the history of the Mayflower log, the mechanics of pin factories, and even the existence of singing mice, all while encouraging children to engage with the natural world and form "Bands of Mercy" to protect animals.

How It Unfolds

The Cuban front The report opens with the capture of General Ruis Rivera, highlighting the brutality of the Spanish response. It follows with the tactical successes of the Laurada expedition, painting a picture of a conflict where the tide is slowly turning toward the insurgents.

The Eastern conflict The narrative shifts to the Mediterranean, documenting the psychological impact of the British Highlanders on the Cretan landscape. It moves to the Greek frontier, where the pressure of popular nationalism renders diplomatic efforts increasingly futile.

The South African intrigue The focus turns to the corruption behind the Transvaal Raid, detailing the failed plot to seize power from the Boers. The story illustrates the geopolitical friction between England and Germany, highlighting the shifting alliances in the region.

The rise of new powers The magazine explores the surprising emergence of Abyssinia as a sovereign nation capable of defeating European colonizers. This development is used to discuss the importance of international diplomacy and the curiosity surrounding new technologies like the graphophone.

Domestic progress The final beats cover the logistical challenges of the Mississippi floods and the structural consolidation of Greater New York. The magazine concludes with a series of letters and industrial descriptions, grounding these global events in the day-to-day life and curiosity of its readers.

The People

The figures in these pages are often cast as archetypes of their roles, though their ambitions are laid bare. General Ruis Rivera represents the beleaguered but persistent Cuban resistance, while General Weyler embodies the harsh, failing hand of Spanish authority. Cecil Rhodes and Dr. Jameson emerge as the primary antagonists, framed by their own admissions of a failed, "infamous" scheme to trick the Boers out of their sovereignty. President Krueger stands as the defensive, wary leader attempting to secure his nation’s future through alliances with the Orange Free State. King Menelik of Abyssinia serves as an unexpected, dignified protagonist, having shattered the expectations of "civilized" nations by defeating the Italians and choosing peace. Finally, the Editor acts as a central mentor, a voice of authority who filters the complexities of the world for the young readers, encouraging them to be observant and compassionate citizens.

In Its Own Voice

"If Rivera is shot, it will create a great deal of indignation, as it is the custom to exchange prisoners of war, and not to kill them."

The editor explains the moral stakes involved in the capture of the Cuban leader.

"The bagpipe is of all instruments the most uncanny and weird."

The magazine describes the psychological effect of the music played by the British Highlanders in Crete.

"Had they been successful, they would have been forgiven."

The editor provides a cynical assessment of how the world judges the failed crimes of Cecil Rhodes and Dr. Jameson.

What It's Really About

The central theme is the transition of a child’s view into a global consciousness. The book argues that the "Great Round World" is a complex, interconnected machine where local actions—like the invention of a pin machine in Connecticut or a political maneuver in Pretoria—have rippling consequences. It invites the reader to look past the surface of events, such as the "infamous" Transvaal raid or the "savage" reputation of Abyssinia, to understand the deeper motivations of justice, greed, and national pride. The book suggests that to be an informed citizen of the future, one must possess both a keen interest in technological progress and a moral compass capable of recognizing the difference between "clever work" and "shameful trickery."

Why Read It Today

Readers today will find this a fascinating, if occasionally jarring, time capsule. You will love the immediacy of the prose, which treats complex geopolitical crises—like the impending Boer War—with the same earnest accessibility as the news about a new type of fish-hook. It captures a specific moment in the nineteenth century when the world felt as though it were rapidly shrinking, yet remained filled with strange, "uncanny" phenomena.

However, you must be prepared for the period-typical biases embedded in the text. The magazine frequently refers to non-Western peoples with the dismissive language common to the 1890s, categorizing entire nations as "savages" even when acknowledging their military successes. While the Editor often acts as a progressive voice, encouraging children to show kindness to animals and remain open-minded, the underlying assumptions of imperial superiority are ever-present. Reading it feels like sitting in a Victorian classroom; you are being taught not just facts, but a specific way of seeing the world—one that is both remarkably observant and deeply anchored in the attitudes of its time. It is best read as a historical artifact, offering a clear, unfiltered look at how the youth of 1897 were told to understand the turbulent world they were about to inherit.