The Omaha Sunday. Bee
No Filthy SwiMftlo
THE OMAHA DEE
Best & Vest
HALF TOIIE SECTIQI1
Pznis 1 to 8
VOL. XXXVI -NO. 1.
OMA1IA, SUNDAY MORNING, JUNE 24, 1900.
SINGLE COPY FIVE CENTS.
PEN PICTURE OF ROttAN AMUSEMENTS AND DIVERSIONS
Edward Rosewater, Editor of The Be, Describes In Most Graphic Manner What People Would Have to' Do Should They Try, When in Rome, tn r-as Romans Do
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DECORATED AUTO, WITH ROMAN LADIES. IN FU)WEK PARADE AT VILLA BORQHESE.
ROMAN FLOWER GIRL AT
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COLOSSAL FLOWER BASKET CONTAINING ORCHESTRA OF FORTY PIKUK3 FLOWER PARADE AT
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K
OME, May 2. (Editorial Correspondence.) Fifty iiy-
Rome has left the indelible impression on my mind that
today, as of yore, Rome retains its supremacy as the
world's cosmopolls. Here all nationalities Jostle in the
Incessant stream of humanity that flows in and out of the Eternal
City nearly all the j'ear round. Here all tongues may be heard in
the churches, museums, art galleries, palaces and public thorough
fares. Tradition has It that the greatest linguist of whom we hare
1 any record. Cardinal Mezofanti, could, talk fluently in seventy-two
laneuaees and dialects, and kept himself in practice by talking to
priests and travelers from all lands in their native tongue. Could
Uiofantl descend from his celestial abode he would find the same
vopportnnlty for exercising his llnguistio talents that he enjoyed
I II 9 T" AAA T I ..A Vm..m 9
the day, the public squares and streets of Rome are a picturesque
kaleidoscope. Omnibuses and automobiles, carriages, cabs, -donk-atra.
carta, hnrroa loadAil with nanlera and hieh-wheeled - drava
Brawn by long-horned bullocks Jam the narrow business streets,
(their drivers contesting every foot of their right-of-way, shouting,
whistling and frequently striking each other with their whip! In
Derce contention that calls for police intervention. The slde-
IwaiKi, generally noi more man nve ieei wiae, are iiko a long riouon
Of all colors of the rainbow. It is a continuous procession of
smooth-shaved, black-robed priests, scarlet-coated students from
the College Germanlco, flower girls In the bright-colored Roman
costume, bearded brown-hooded Capucln monks, pilgrims from
Spain, France, Hungary or Bohemia, Italian peasants, black nuns,
grey nuns, papal Swiss guards, fashionably dressed ladies, German,
English and American tourists, soldiers of all arms and professional
beggars of all sexes. It may not be out of place right here to re
mark that the twentieth century Roman, like his valiant ancestors,
prides himself on his physical and mental superiority to all other
Italian compatriots and people of the Latin race. My observation
fully confirms this claim. In fact the people one sees on the prin
cipal thoroughfares, at public gatherings and great functions in
Rome will bear favorable comparison with the people one passes
ealnt or a labor strike. In America everybody dreads rite event
if he is in sympathy with the strikers. Not so in Rome. Th
labor strike In Rome Is simply an opera bouffe performance, played
on a colossal stage by the thousands of actors for the amusement
of the masses. Last week I hud an opportunity to become a specta
tor of a Roman labor strike. It was forecasted several days ahead
by the Italian newspapers as a coming event in which the military
would be compelled to grapple with anarchy and mob rule. On the
afternoon before the day set for the strike I happened to visit the
church of the Capucins that connects with the catacombs, in which
more than 4,000 skeletons are tastefully and artistically arranged
against the walls, and to my surprise discovered a cavalry company
with horses and equipments quartered in the inner court. The
troops had been expressly conveyed from Florence to Rome to keep
the strikers in check. That evening the Roman hotel keepers
warned their guests to be prepared for the much dreaded event,
which was set for precisely midnight.
Amenities of an Italian Labor Strike
Early next morning the streets of Rome presented a desolate
appearance. Not a carriage or cab was visible anywhere, though
from 300 to 600 are constantly, in motion on ordinary days and
Sundays. Not a wheel moved on the street car lines. By 0 a. m.
most of the stores were either closed altogether or had their shut
ters up in apparent preparedness to lock their doors at a moment's
warning. I was told confidentially that the storekeepers had no
fear of personal violence or looting, but simply desired to avoid a
shower of missiles which the "boys" were liable to throw at their
store windows as a penalty for refusing to close down during the
prescribed time.. The only shops doing a flourishing business were
the bar rooms, grocery and provision stores, bakeries, butcher shops
and fruit dealers. At 10 a. m. the Corso, or Broadway of Rome,
and all the squares In the heart of the city were occupied by troops
ready for action, while mounced policemen and gendarmes patrolled
the side streets and approaches to the squares. To all appearances
there was to be a hot time In Rome, and in the mind's eye bloody
on Broadway and Fifth avenue, or meets at the Waldorf-Astoria, in work fonowed by Red Cross hospital service.
ivew xorK, or me nouievaras ana puouc gardens oi fans.
All Still Enjoy a Roman Holiday
The populace of Rome, high or low, enjoys a Roman holiday,
whether It comes through the celebration of the anniversary of a
About 11 a. m., while taking observations in anticipation' of
the impending fray on one of the principal streets connecting the
Piazza Shagna with the Piazza Barberlnis two squares occupied
by troops I heard a wild yell, a cloud of dust rose and presently
several hundred young men and boys armed with sticks whooping,
Jhlstling and shouting, rushed from a side street into the main
thoroughfare. Up went the remaining shutters and bung went the
doors. From all the windows In the upper stories men and women
waved flags, red flannel and white handkerchiefs cheering the boys.
Presently a battalion of Infantry armed with repeating rifles was
Been marching down the hill from the Piazza Barberlnl at double
quick time with closed ranks; then at bugle blast from a troop of
cavalry at the fdr end of the street, choked by the howling mob, a
bloody collision was imminent, but it did not occur. The embat
tled young Romans turned tall, retreating in disorder through the
side streets and alleys. . The troops and police exhibited magnanim
ity to the fleeing foe and coolly witnessed its ignominous retreat
without firing a gun, without even attempting ' pursuit or making
an arrest In the meantime the populace of Rome, barring the
strangers within its gates, who were compelled to walk, gave Itself
up to Joy and fun. It was a glorious victory for labor. Under the
compact agreed on between the strike leaders and leading employers,
every wage worker, male or female, old or young, was to draw full
pay for the full period of the strike, which was fixed in advance to
last from midnight to midnight. The morning of the next day
Rome resumed its half-holiday air.. The trains on the tramway
ran on full-time, with half the passengers standing In the front and
fear vestibules, discussing the labor strike. Cabmen swarmed the
squares and approaches to the big hotels and the storekeepers were
once more In full practice of Italian, English, French, German,
Spanish and other languages that figure heavily in their trade with
the hated but welcome foreigner.
Strange Amusements of the Romans
The Roman Is above all things fond of amusement and does
not miss an opportunity whenever or wherever it may present itself.
He Is passionately fond of music and the drama and has a peculiar
way of showing his temper. Just before the curtain rose during
a gala performance given in honor of the Postal Congress in one
of the large, theaters, the occupant of an orchestra seat rose and
made some remark in a lo In an instant pandemonium
broke loose. Hundreds of men -ae floor were gesticulating
wildly, hissing and shouting, "Out with him! Down witi him!"
For a few seconds it looked as if the audience would break Into a
free-for-all flght. But, after all, it as only the Roman way of ex
pressing disapproval of a disturber. In a Jiffy the man was taken
off his feet and thrown out of the theater. Then all was still and
the curtain went up.
This incident only reminds me that the adage, "When In Rome
do as the Romans do," comes into violent collision with the ideas
of decency, good manners and propriety entertained b; American
and British visitors to the Italian capital. English-speaking people
are shocked at the rudeness displayed by highly respected Roman
theater goers, who Immediately after the curtain goes down between
acts rlso and face about to stare at the occupants of the boxes for
ten or fifteen minutes. This is In some continental cities the pre
vailing custom for men who occupy seats in the parquet, but in
Rome the women as well as the men indulge in this pastime of star
ing at occupants of the boxes, which usually extend in three or four
tiers all around the auditorium.
Most Novel of Floral Parades
Among the many enjoyable entertainments provided for the
members, of the Postal Congress there was none so novel and charm
ing as the floral parade and battle of flowers that took place at the
Villa Borghese, famous for centuries as one of the most beautiful
spots near Rome. The gardens surrounding the villa Include 300
or 400 acres shaded by umbrella-shaped cypress trees that tower
over olive, orange and lemon orchards, with here and there flower
ing shrubs and gorgeous flower beds watered by fountains, while
the drives and walks are ornamented with classlo statuary. For(
this occasion a space of probably eighty acres had been encircled j
with pink ribbons, and flower stands erected about every hundred
yards around the enclosure, in charge of girls, in Roman costume.
Conspicuous and looming up from the center of the enclosure was a
huge flower basket, containing a brass band, with the musicians
under a canopy of bright hued blossoms. Between the pink-ribboned
enclosure and the space reserved for spectators was a broad
driveway for carriages that participated In the exciting and exhll
eratlng combat of flowers. At the appointed time more than 100
carriages and automobiles entered the grounds. The carriages, and
even horses, were profusely and artistically decorated with fresh
flowers of every color. Hundreds of baskets containing bouquets
of roses, lilacs, lilies, pansles and violets were distributed to the
occupants of the carriages, who were driven over the course at full
speed, pelting each other and being pelted by the vast multitude ot
people who were armed with the same missiles. The spectacle
presented was simply Indescribable. Mingled with the flowers and
(Contlrued on Page Two.)
)
t
AROUND. THE WORLD WITH WILLIAM JENNINGS BRYAN
Wonders of Western India, Which Command tne unbounded Admiration or Every Traveller Who Enjoys tne Bare Privilege or Viewing Them With His Own Eyes
is
UEZ, April 8. (Special Correspondence of The Bee.) There
is so much of interest in India that I find it difficult to con
dense all that I desire to say into the space which It seems
proper to devote to this country. In speaking of the various
cities I have been compelled to omit reference to the numerous
Industries for which India is famed. Long before the European set
foot upon the soil the artisans had won renown in weaving, in
Carving and in brass. It was, in fact, the very wealth of Indus that
attracted the attention of the western world and turned the prows
of merchant vessels toward the orient. While India cm complain
that some of its arts have been lost since it hr.g been under the
tutelage ot foreigners, enough remains to make every tourist a col
lector, to a greater or less extent, of attractive souvenirs.
Benares is the center of the plain brass manufacture, and its
bazars are full of vases, trays, candlesticks, bowls, etc. Lucknow la
noted for its 'silversmiths, but its products do not command so high
a price as those of southern India. Delhi leads in ivory and wood
carving, and one can find here the best specimens of this kind ot
.work. Several of the addresses presented to the prince of Wales
upon his recent visit were encased in ivory caskets richly carved
and studded with gems. Painting on Ivory Is also carried to a
hl.h 6tate or perfection here, and sandalwood boxes can be found
Jn r'.l the stores.
At Aria enc f.nds rugs woven In Turkish and Persian, as well
as In orlflnr.l d Dolgus. Agra is also renowned for Its inlaid work,
many of the designs of the Taj being copied. The Taj itself is repro
d. -el in mlnlatjiea ut prices ranging from one dollar up into the
hundreds.
Delicate Shawls Come From Kashmir
in all the cities of upper India Kashmir shawls may be secured,
Kathulr lttelf being fur north of the line of travel! These shawls
are of roats' hair and some ot t'.iera r.ro so delicate that, though
two yards square, they can be drawn through a finger ring.
At Jalsore the chief Industries which attract t. natlr a
foreigners are enameling on gold and brass, the titer ln Tm
best known. Few ho visit the bazars can resist the temptation to
carry away some samples of this ware, so graceful are the vessels
and so skillful is the workmanship.
Jaipore, the first of the western cities and the only one of the
native states that we visited. Is deserving of some notice, partly be
cause it gives evidence of -considerable advancement and partly
because the government is administered entirely by native officials.
rne manaraja is one ui uw uiuk uuuuiumuou vi m oauve princes
and a descendant or me iamous uajpui une oi Kings. lie lives la
orient&j style, has a number of wives and elephants, camels and
; torses galore, lie la an orthodox Hindu ot the striotest type and
I Arlnk no water but the water of the Ganges. U'aea be went to
England to attend the coronation he chartered a ship, took his re- he la permitted to exercise over his subjects a power as absolute as '
tinue with him and carried Ganges water enough to last until his the czar ever claimed. There Is an English resident at his ital,
return. He Is very lo.val to the British government and la return but his council Is composed ot Indians, bis Judges are Indians, his
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collectors are Indians, his school teachers are Indians and he has
an Indian army. I had the pleasure of .meeting one of the coun
cil and the head of the school system of the state and found them
men of line appearance and high culture. The illiteracy in his state
compares favorably with that in the states under British adminis
tration, and the graduates from the maharaja's college compete suc
cessfully In the examinations with the graduates from other col
leges. They have at Jaipore an art school, in which all kinds ot
manual training are taught, and the sale room of this school gives '
accurate information as to the capacity of the natives for Industrial
development. We found hero the only native pottery of merit that
we noticed in the country.
Cities Both Ancient and Modern
The city of Jaipore was laid out in 1728 and is one of the most
attractive cities of India. The main streets are 110 feet wide, the
buildings are oriental in style, most ot them two stories In height
some three and are all painted the same shade of pink, with
white trimmings and green shutters. The entire city is supplied
with water and the streets are lfghted by gas. All in all, Jaipore
makes a favorable Impression upon the visitor.
Some six miles away Is the ancient city of Amber, the capital of
the state until Jaipore was established. It is reached by a ride on
elephant back, the only ride of this kind that we have yet had.
There Is a beautiful palace at Amber which gives some idea of the
luxury in which the Indian rulers lived. We returned from this trip
late In the evening, when the peacocks were going to roost, end
nearly every tree contained one or more of these gaudy-plumaged
fowls. These were apparently wild, and their numbers and beauty
recalled the fact that the peacock Is India's royal bird, and it is
not an inappropriate symbol of the pomp and magnificence of the
oriental kings. I might dlgrens here' to say that the respect for
life taught In the Hindoo scriptures has filled India to excess with
useless birds end animals. The crows and kites are a nuisance. It
Is no uncommon thing to see a vendor of cakes and sweetmeats
bearing his basket on his head end waving a stick above it to scare
oft the birds. Sometimes an attendant follows the vendor and pro
tects him from the birds, but in spite of all precautions they get
their toll. The crow often come to the doors and windows of the
hotel and inquire whether you have any food to spare, and spar-
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I u . uu viuvi ouiait ifiiug uuaeiuiiuii (ihu truiUJI I IU 111 IUQ
table. At Jaipore we saw myriads ot pigeons being fed in the
streets, and monkeys they are everywhere. The Jungles of the
tropical countries are not more thronged with them thru the road
sides of some parts of India. About Lalf v. ay between Jaipore and
Bombay they were especially numerous, and as we rode along on
the train we saw them singly. In groups and In mass meetings.
Here, too, we saw herds of antelope scarcely frightened by the traloJ
JAIN TEMPLB AT UT. ABU.