Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-10-15
AlEYA. GAZETTE 6 VIRGINIA ADVERTIS
Women i'm Siam.

''rhc Great Mother Of War;" title most
suggestive to mothers-iu-law, is the rank cor
responding to our major general among the
women soldiers of Siam Her figure face, and
expression, as represented in photograph, is
by no means fearful to behold, although, being
dark aud Asian, it is not so beautiful in the
eyes Of a European as the face Of Joan Of Arc,
who was also great mother of war If a
little peasant girl of Lorraine could lead an army
OF six thousand ruflianS to victory, and crown
Charles VII King OF France, why may not a
woman of to-day command a regiment Of men
or women iu Bangkok?
The King Of Siam las body guard of five
hundred women, and there are many other
Amazons in his doninious. They go through
the drill the same as our State militia or Ma
tional Guard, aud march through the Strcers
Of the capital Of Siam to the music of the drum
and fife. Whether, in marching to war, the
baud ever plays The Girl | Left Behind Me,"
is matter of some boubt Imagine the feel
!ngs of an American paterfamilias as he stands
upon the piazza waving an adieu to his wife, who
has been ordered to the front" Aud yet such
domestic partings, such stripping of the vines
from the oaks, Is not uncommon-ln Siam. The
women soldiers Of that remarkable land are al
lowed to marry. If any of the privates form an
attachment for a man, they report the fact to
connection suitable one she gives her consent
If, subsequently, maternal duties require their
presence at home a leave Of absence is granted
this proceeding excites no more comment than
the allowing man to go on his summer vaca
ton would 10 the United States. The Siamese
do some things differently from US, but quite as
we'll, perhaps.
The costume of the "Great Mother of War
is by no means an ugly one: it even looks bet
ter than the American Bloomer. In general
appcarance it resembles that worn by the
Scotch Highlander. Iudeed the Scotch are
said to have borrowed their peculiar national
dress from the Siamese. for it has been worn
in the latter country for hundreds of years.
Thus We see again illustrated the truth OF the
saying that all history tends to the mysterious
comes from the East than most Christians are
willing to acknowledge. That which is old in
Asia becomes new 10 Europe.
A description of the dress worn by these
Siamese Amazous is as follows: The feet are
covered with well6tting, Amerlcan-looklng
shoes: stockings Of red aud black checks are
worn, coming above the knee. These are made
out of some woven material, as the art OF knit
ting stockings has not yet been discovered IN
Siam A plaid skirt falls just below the knee.
\ leather belt is worn around the waist to
which the sword is attached. American wo-
men, more peacefully inclined, attached bags,
parasols, and ornaments to their belts. The
jackets are c'ose fitting to the form, with a row
of buttons in front; the sleeve is coat-sleeve,
SO called with a cuff turned back, ornamented
With gold lace aud buttons. Iu the neck Of the
Jacket there is short standing collar, and
skep neck-tie, fastened in a sailor S knot, COM
pl,t,s the DRESS A sash is worn after the man
nsr of our baIdricks, and the decorations are
placed on the left breast. The cap g three
coruered one, resembling those worn by Catholic
priests. The officers have thens ornamented
with white ostrich plumes. 10 actual war they
carry shields and wear breast plates made OF
leather sewed all over with steel buttons. They
use rifles as well as swords. 1t is the testimony
of those who have had the opportunity to be-
come familiar with the military establishment
of Siam that the women soldiers are far more
trustworthy and moral than the men. Possibly
that is the reason the king keeps them to guard
the gates OF his paace,-Home JoumaL