The Great Round World and What Is Going On In It, Vol. 2, No. 23, June 9, 1898 | Page 4

contains a statement to the effect that the
Imperial Government, in concert with the other powers, had
endeavored to find a means which would prevent an armed conflict
between the two countries; that such friendly measures were without
result, and that the Imperial Government "witnesses with regret the
armed conflict between two states to which she is united by old
friendship and deep sympathy; it is firmly resolved in regard to the two

belligerents that a perfect and impartial neutrality will be observed."
Greece has simply declared that the strictest neutrality will be
maintained.
* * * * *
On the 25th of May, President McKinley issued a call for 75,000
additional volunteers; of the previous volunteers called for, about
112,000 have been mustered into the army; with the addition that is
now called for, the army will number about 250,000; and it is expected
that active operations will be begun at once, and that Porto Rico as well
as Cuba will be seized at the earliest possible moment; it is expected
that part of our fleet will proceed at once to San Juan, Porto Rico, and
destroy the fortifications there, so that our army can without serious
opposition land on the island.
* * * * *
The cruiser Columbia, which was disabled in a collision off Long
Island, is being rapidly repaired in the Brooklyn Navy-Yard. If she had
not been very strong there is little doubt but that the Foscolia would
have cut her in two; the frames of the vessel, however, are so well
constructed that these, with the protective deck, prevented more serious
damage. Naval officers are very much pleased to find how well the
vessel withstood the collision; they say that if the Columbia had been a
ship like the large ocean liners, nothing would have prevented her
sinking with the ship that struck her. When the officer on the Columbia
saw that a collision was inevitable, he gave the order "Full speed
ahead"; it is very fortunate that he did so, as otherwise the Foscolia
would have hit her amidships; and the damage must then have been
very serious, as the water compartments in that part of the vessel are
large, and when filled might have caused her to capsize. The damage
proves to be much less severe than was at first thought; after two or
three weeks it is thought she will be on duty again.
This is not the first time that the Columbia has been in trouble of this
kind; two years ago she collided with the Wyanoke, a coasting steamer;

in spite of the trying circumstances at that time, not a man was lost on
the sinking coaster, so perfect was the discipline on the Columbia.
* * * * *
It is reported that the balloons recently received from Paris will be sent
forward with the first expedition to Cuba; arrangements for equipping
the balloon train are under charge of Lieut. Joseph E. Maxfield of the
Signal Service. It is reported that one of the French balloons will be
first given a careful test from the deck of one of the war-ships off Cuba.
The necessary plant for generating the gas is already in Tampa; the gas
will be forwarded in steel tubes, which will hold a large volume when
the gas is compressed.
* * * * *
It is now proposed to take the necessary apparatus to Cuba, and have
pictures of the bombardment of Havana and of other engagements
made for reproduction with the cinematograph. Dr. D. S. Elmendorf is
now at Tampa, Fla., making elaborate preparations for taking these
pictures. The cinematograph is a wonderful invention. By a clever
arrangement hundreds of photographs are taken, one after the other,
with marvellous rapidity; these pictures are printed on a long strip, and
made to pass through the magic lantern as rapidly as when the
photographs were taken; the result is a composite picture which, when
thrown upon a screen, reproduces every motion.
Edison was the one who invented this system of taking in succession
very rapidly a great number of pictures of moving objects. We hope
that Dr. Elmendorf will be successful, for we will then be able to see
these interesting scenes; and if by a clever use of the phonograph or
graphophone he can record the sound of the guns, we may not only see,
but hear, the battles.
* * * * *
In THE GREAT ROUND WORLD last year we described experiments
that were being made with kites by Mr. W. E. Eddy, of Bayonne, N. J.,

who has been largely instrumental in promoting interest in scientific
kite-flying. Kites have been made of such power as to carry a heavy
cable from one point to another over some obstruction, or to lift a man