input: CHAPTER VIII--AFFAIRS OF LAULII AND FANGALII

_November-December_ 1888

For Becker I have not been able to conceal my distaste, for he seems to me both false and foolish. But of his successor, the unfortunately famous Dr. Knappe, we may think as of a good enough fellow driven distraught. Fond of Samoa and the Samoans, he thought to bring peace and enjoy popularity among the islanders; of a genial, amiable, and sanguine temper, he made no doubt but he could repair the breach with the English consul. Hope told a flattering tale. He awoke to find himself exchanging defiances with de Coetlogon, beaten in the field by Mataafa, surrounded on the spot by general exasperation, and disowned from home by his own government. The history of his administration leaves on the mind of the student a sentiment of pity scarcely mingled.

On Blacklock he did not call, and, in view of Leary's attitude, may be excused. But the English consul was in a different category. England, weary of the name of Samoa, and desirous only to see peace established, was prepared to wink hard during the process and to welcome the result of any German settlement. It was an unpardonable fault in Becker to have kicked and buffeted his ready-made allies into a state of jealousy, anger, and suspicion. Knappe set himself at once to efface these impressions, and the English officials rejoiced for the moment in the change. Between Knappe and de Coetlogon there seems to have been mutual sympathy; and, in considering the steps by which they were led at last into an attitude of mutual defiance, it must be remembered that both the men were sick,--Knappe from time to time prostrated with that formidable complaint, New Guinea fever, and de Coetlogon throughout his whole stay in the islands continually ailing. 1. does the author like Becker?
2. Does he prefer his replacement?
3. what was his name?
4. Was Knappe short-tempered?
5. was he a healthy man?
6. what was wrong with him?
7. Who wanted peace in Samoa?
8. Was Knappe in favor of that?
9. Did Becker have a good relationship with his allies?
10. did he make them angry?
11. Did Knappe try to make amends?
12. Were the English pleased with this?
13. Did Knappe like the Samoans?
14. who did Knappe not visit?
15. was that permissible?
16. Who did he seem to have a mutual sympathy with?
17. was he also in poor health?
18. did he have a specific ailment? Return numbered answers in your output.

output: 1. no
2. yes
3. Dr. Knappe
4. no
5. no
6. New Guinea fever
7. England
8. yes
9. yes
10. yes
11. yes
12. yes
13. yes
14. Blacklock
15. yes
16. de Coetlogon
17. yes
18. no

Question: Syria may be embroiled in a brutal three-year civil war, but that's not stopping the government from holding controversial presidential elections this week.

The election, which has been branded a sham by the West and by the Syrian opposition, is widely expected to return President Bashar al-Assad to power.

CNN International Correspondent Frederik Pleitgen has reported from inside Syria numerous times during the conflict, which has left an estimated 150,000 people dead. He breaks down the key questions ahead of Tuesday's election.

Why is it happening now?

The government says Syria's new constitution stipulates that presidential elections must be held now. The regime says it shows the country is moving forward and that it is the first time a president will be elected by the people rather than appointed. The opposition says the election is a fraud, that voting will be rigged and that the poll serves only to cement Assad's power.

Who are the other candidates?

The other two candidates are relative unknowns. One is Maher Hajjar, an entrepreneur and member of parliament. He keeps out of the limelight and has not been heard from much. Hajjar's election posters declare that "Syria is with Palestine," which seems like a very narrow slogan. Other than that it is unclear what he would change should he win.

The more intriguing candidate is Hassan Nouri, a former economics professor and cabinet minister who told me he had to resign because he was too critical of Assad's government. Nouri studied at the University of Wisconsin and still refers to himself as a Badger. He says the election is an uphill battle for him, but feels he is making headway. His main message is economic. He is for market liberalization and fighting corruption in government and in the private sector. But when it comes to fighting Syria's civil war, Nouri says he wouldn't do anything differently -- and much like Assad, he refers to the regime's three-year assault on the opposition as "fighting terrorism." 1. How many people have died?
2. Who is expected to win the election?
3. What does the constitution stipulate?
4. What does the regime say about it?
5. What does the opposition say?
6. Did they say anything else?
7. What?
8. Who is Maher Hajjer?
9. What do he do for a living?
10. Is he well known?
11. Does he have an election slogan?
12. What is it?
13. What does he plan to change besides that?
14. Is there another candidate running?
15. What is his name?
16. What is his profession?
17. Why is he a former economics professor and cabinet minister?
18. Where did he get his education?
19. How does he feel about the election?
20. What is his main message?
21. What are his economic views? Provide a numbered list of answers.
****
A numbered of answers:
1. 150,000
2. President Bashar al-Assad
3. that presidential elections must be held now.
4. it is the first time a president will be elected by the people rather than appointed
5. the election is a fraud
6. Yes
7. that voting will be rigged to keep Assad in power.
8. One of the candidates.
9. is an entrepreneur and member of parliament.
10. No
11. Yes
12. "Syria is with Palestine,"
13. it is unclear what he would change
14. Yes
15. Hassan Nouri,
16. he is a former economics professor and cabinet minister
17. because he was too critical of Assad's government
18. the University of Wisconsin
19. That it is an uphill battle but feels he is making headway.
20. economic
21. Market liberalization and fighting corrupt government