The Great Round World and What Is Going On In It, Vol. 2, No. 11, March 17, 1898 | Page 4

good strong portfolio, or case, containing a number of
patterns for doll clothes, printed on heavy strong paper, so that they
may be cut out and used over and over again. Each pattern is in a strong
envelope, so that it may be kept separate, and on each envelope is a
picture of the garment, to aid in putting it together. With the pattern is a
pamphlet giving (in German) full and careful directions.
The chart is the 1897 edition of Dr. Berghaus' celebrated "Chart of the
World," published by Justus Perthes, Gotha. Size is about 40×62 inches,
mounted on linen, and folded in a case; or as a wall-map with rollers.
In Europe, this chart is to be found in almost every railroad or
steamship office, as well as in schools, business offices, and private
houses, where it is used for general reference. Besides being the latest
and most complete map of the world, with the very latest information
as to boundaries, it contains ocean currents, direction of trade-winds,
steamship and sailing vessel routes, coaling-stations, and railroads
(even the new trans-Siberian railroad, about which we wrote in a recent
number) of all countries; and much other valuable information.
* * * * *
=Current History=

* * * * *
The Maine affair is still the most important item of current history.
The Board of Inquiry has returned to Havana and is still carrying on its
investigation, and until this body makes an official report to the United
States Government, we should, as Captain Sigsbee telegraphed the
night of the explosion, suspend judgment.
There has been no way of ascertaining the results of the Board's
inquiries. The testimony of eye-witnesses of the disaster, sailors and
divers, was heard on board the Mangrove, anchored near the wreck. A
number of photographs of the Maine have been taken under water, by a
man employed by the Board. These photographs are deemed very
important, as the Board can get a much clearer idea of the position of
the débris than they could from the descriptions of the divers. The
belief is widely entertained that the Board will report that the disaster
was caused by an explosion from the outside. How the two countries
will act after such a report is delivered, can only be surmised. Of course,
Spain will make her own thorough investigation; the divers have
already been permitted to examine the wreck to a certain extent. It is
very hard to believe that the Spanish Government had anything to do
with the explosion. Individuals, acting for themselves and not in touch
with the Government, probably "assassinated" the boat--if she was
"assassinated." In that case, the United States can with justice claim an
indemnity.
If, however, it can be proved that Spanish officers knew that there was
a mine under the Maine, and did not take the trouble to tell Captain
Sigsbee, the United States would undoubtedly consider it a casus belli
(that is, a cause of war), unless Spain promptly agrees to make good the
loss.
As we told you last week, it is said that no dead fish were found in
Havana harbor after the explosion. Another significant report is, that
there was no large wave directly after the explosion took place. If these
reports are true, they would almost preclude the possibility of its having
been an outside explosion.

It was reported that Weyler, while Captain-General of Cuba, had
caused Havana harbor to be filled with mines and torpedoes, and that
he alone had the plans.
In a letter to a New York paper, however, General Weyler absolutely
denies this, and he writes that he has had nothing to do with the mines
and torpedoes in Havana harbor.
One sensational report printed in a New York paper was that, shortly
before the explosion took place, the guard on the Maine noticed a very
distinct ripple on the water, as if a small boat was being propelled close
to the vessel.
Many similar reports have reached the United States, and it is hard to
know what to believe. One of the New York papers has been telling so
many lies that the Government was compelled to stop this particular
journal from sending any messages at all over the cable from Havana to
Key West. This paper then sent its news to Europe, and from there
cabled to New York. Over this circuitous route came most marvellous
tales, and it is needless to say that most of them were lies pure and
simple. The editor of one enterprising journal is reported to have
wagered $50,000 that he will cause war between the United States and
Spain.
* * * * *
The wounded sailors from the Maine have all been transferred from
Havana to Dry Tortugas. Dry Tortugas is an island east