The Great Round World and What Is Going On In It, Vol. 2, No. 10, March 10, 1898: A Weekly Magazine for Boys and Girls

In Short

The Great Round World functions as an educational news periodical designed to distill complex global politics and historical developments into accessible language for boys and girls. By reporting on the mysterious destruction of the USS Maine, the volatile Dreyfus Affair in France, and the geopolitical maneuvering of European powers, the publication aims to foster informed, dispassionate citizenship. It has endured as a significant historical artifact, preserving the specific tone, anxieties, and pedagogical priorities of American life in 1898, while demonstrating the era's commitment to cultivating a globally aware youth.

The Story

The narrative arc of this volume centers on a world on the brink of significant transformation, defined by the precarious balance between diplomacy and the looming specter of conflict. The primary focus is the tragedy of the USS Maine in Havana, which serves as the anchor for the magazine's ongoing reporting. The editors maintain a firm, instructional tone, urging their young audience to avoid the "sensational" rumors peddled by yellow journalism and instead wait for official, verified evidence from the court of inquiry. This thread of caution runs through the accounts of the wreckage, the difficult work of divers in the muddy Havana harbor, and the intense, often contradictory speculation regarding Spanish mining of the port.

Parallel to the American crisis in Cuba, the volume surveys a restless globe. In Greece, the report shifts to the attempted assassination of King George, an act of violence attributed to the political fallout of a recent war with Turkey. The magazine frames this not merely as a criminal event but as a symptom of national unrest, highlighting the King’s personal courage. Simultaneously, the focus moves to Africa and the East, where the British Empire asserts its influence over the Niger River, successfully securing commercial concessions from France and China. These accounts are presented as lessons in the mechanics of global trade and the influence of firm diplomacy.

Finally, the narrative moves to the internal tumult of the French Republic. The trial of Émile Zola, following his defense of Alfred Dreyfus, is presented as a profound constitutional struggle. The magazine explores the deep-seated prejudices—specifically the rising tide of antisemitism—that fuel the French bitterness toward the Dreyfus party. The volume concludes by contextualizing these global dramas within the broader scope of technological and territorial ambition, such as the proposed Nicaragua Canal. The editors argue that such projects are essential for American interests, framing the control of the "key to the Pacific" as a necessary evolution of national power. By the end, the magazine has woven these disparate threads into a coherent, if sobering, portrait of a modern world where local disasters, imperial ambitions, and ideological struggles are increasingly interconnected, requiring the vigilance and intellect of the next generation to navigate.

How It Unfolds

The mandate of neutrality The editors establish a strict policy of caution regarding the Maine disaster, emphasizing the necessity of waiting for facts rather than yielding to war-mongering rumors. They view this discipline as the mark of a maturing, less aggressive nation.

The mystery of the harbor Detailed reports on the wreck suggest that the explosion may have been caused by external mines, even as contradictory accounts emerge from Spain. The magazine meticulously balances these competing narratives to highlight the difficulty of uncovering the truth.

The unrest of monarchs The attempted assassination of King George of Greece serves as a case study in the volatility of European politics. The editors use this to illustrate how public sentiment, inflamed by the press, can turn against even the most liberal of leaders.

The struggle for influence Global shifts in power are documented through the lens of British negotiation in Africa and the loan arrangements in China. These reports emphasize the importance of diplomacy and commerce in shaping the modern world map.

The French constitutional crisis The Zola trial and the Dreyfus affair are analyzed as a struggle between individual conscience and military orthodoxy. The magazine identifies the role of prejudice and institutional corruption in destabilizing the French republic.

The engineering of future prosperity The volume concludes by looking forward to the potential of the Nicaragua Canal. It presents the project not just as an engineering feat, but as a vital strategic asset for American security and economic dominance.

The People

Captain Sigsbee emerges as the central figure of moral stability. By maintaining his composure during the Maine disaster and advising the public to await the facts, he represents the ideal of the disciplined, professional officer who keeps the nation from the "horrors of war."

General Weyler is presented as the embodiment of the obstructionist old guard. His alleged efforts to secretly mine Havana harbor and his hostility toward American interests make him the primary antagonist in the Cuban crisis.

Émile Zola is depicted as a hero of conscience. Despite his imprisonment, his willingness to stand against the injustice of the French military and judicial establishment is held up as a testament to personal integrity against the tide of public hatred.

The "sensational journalists" serve as a collective antagonist. The editors portray them as "monumental liars" whose greed and lack of discretion threaten the peace of the nation, contrasting them sharply with the responsible, fact-based reporting the magazine aims to provide.

In Its Own Voice

"Careful attention to the rumors and reports will, however, enable us to discriminate between the reports published for sensational purposes and those based upon actual information."

The editors offer this advice to their young readers, providing a blueprint for media literacy in the face of the Maine disaster.

"The powder stowed in the six-inch reserve magazine was used for saluting purposes only."

This technical detail is provided in the account of the divers' investigation, grounding the magazine's reporting in physical evidence rather than speculation.

What It's Really About

The volume is fundamentally concerned with the responsibilities of citizenship in an increasingly interconnected age. It argues that the strength of a republic relies on the intellectual independence of its people—specifically their ability to resist the intoxicating pull of sensationalism and mob sentiment. Beneath the reports on mining, canals, and assassinations lies a persistent anxiety about the fragility of modern institutions and the corrupting power of prejudice. The underlying question is how a democratic society can maintain its moral course while navigating an era defined by imperial competition, rapid technological change, and the volatile influence of a free, yet often irresponsible, press.

Why Read It Today

Readers today will find this volume a fascinating, if sometimes challenging, artifact of 1898. Those interested in the history of journalism will appreciate the clear-eyed critique of "yellow" media, which feels remarkably modern despite the dated prose. The experience of reading it is like stepping into a classroom of the past; the tone is earnest, instructive, and deeply invested in the moral development of its audience.

However, readers should be prepared for the period attitudes embedded in the text. The magazine reflects the Eurocentric worldviews and the casual, often sharp, prejudices common to the late nineteenth century, particularly regarding international religious and ethnic groups. These biases are not hidden; they are part of the historical record the magazine presents. While the language is precise, the length of the reports and the dense, nineteenth-century style of political analysis may feel slow to a modern reader accustomed to instantaneous updates. Yet, for those who value the ability to see how an earlier generation grappled with the same fears of war and institutional instability we face today, the book remains a compelling, instructive, and strangely resonant read. It captures a specific moment when the world felt both dangerously large and intimately connected, offering a stark reminder of how far we have—and have not—traveled.