The Great Round World and What Is Going On In It, Vol. 1, No. 44, September 9, 1897 | Page 5

and give it a lesson in obedience that will not soon be forgotten.
Now that the outbreak has assumed such a serious form, every one is trying to discover a reason for the rebellion. Some think that the Sultan of Turkey is at the root of the matter, and that he has caused the news of his victory over the Greeks to be spread broadcast throughout the whole Mohammedan race, thereby creating the impression that the power of Europe has been shaken, and in this way has given the natives of Hindustan an idea that it is an excellent opportunity for them to try to throw off the hated European sovereignty.
Another rumor is that the Ameer of Afghanistan has incited the tribes to rebel, and that he is secretly giving them his support and assistance.
All the revolting tribes dwell on the borders of Afghanistan, and it is known for a fact that the Ameer distributed among the native Indian regiments a book of treasonable character, telling them all about the Jehad or Holy War. This war, according to the Mohammedan belief, is to be undertaken by the Moslems against the Christians, and is to result in the spreading of the Mohammedan faith throughout the world.
The circulation of these books excited the natives very much, and it is thought had a great deal to do with their present restless and rebellious spirit.
The Indian Government therefore sent a message to the Ameer protesting against the further circulation of this book, and accusing him of exciting the tribes to rebel, and then of allowing his subjects to take part with them against the English.
The Ameer sent a prompt reply in which he denied that any of his subjects had been concerned in the recent troubles.
He said that his soldiers should never be used to fight against the British, and that if any of the tribes under his rule are guilty of joining in a rebellion against his friend the Queen, it is without his knowledge or consent. He insisted that none of his people would have dared to join the rebels openly, for fear of his severe displeasure.
In addition to this letter to the British Government, he has issued an order to his subjects, forbidding them to join the rebels.
Notwithstanding this, the British officers in India place no reliance on the Ameer's protestations, and still believe that he is directing the operations of the troops on the frontier.
* * * * *
Spain is still sorrowing for the loss of her Prime Minister, Se?or Canovas.
This great statesman was buried with all the honors which his patriotism merited. The public buildings were all draped in black, all business was suspended in Madrid during the ceremonies, and all honor was paid to his memory, the Queen Regent sending personal messages of sympathy to his widow, and ordering the court to go into mourning for him for three days.
Kings and princes cannot give expression to their feelings as private individuals do; they have their public duties to perform, and therefore no matter how sincere their grief they are not at liberty to shut themselves away from the world and mourn their loss.
When a member of a royal family dies, the sovereign orders that a certain number of days or weeks shall be observed as days of mourning. During this time the whole court is dressed in black or the color that is used as mourning in that special country. In France, purple used to be the color of the court mourning; in China they use white. The servants as well as the ladies and gentlemen of the sovereign's household all wear the mourning color, and during the period set apart for the days of mourning no dinners or festivities of any sort are given, no persons are received or presented at the court, and the king and court retire into private life.
As soon as the appointed time is passed, the mourning garments are laid aside, and the gaieties are resumed as if nothing had happened to interrupt them.
As a rule, a court only goes into mourning for a relative of the sovereign or a member of the reigning family. It is most unusual for a court to be ordered to mourn for a person who is not of the royal blood, and that the Spanish court has been ordered to pay this mark of respect to Se?or Canovas shows the high esteem in which he was held.
The cowardly assassin who murdered the Prime Minister has suffered the penalty of his infamous crime. He was tried, found guilty of his dreadful deed, and put to death.
The Queen Regent has had to choose another Prime Minister in Canovas' stead, and this has been a hard task for her. In Canovas she lost her best friend and constant adviser, and his