The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-06-08
KING OF SIAM COMING.
Now i'm Italy with His FamiIy-Ad-
mfrer of Grant.
New York Herald.


Chulalongkorn l. King of SIAM is now
we'll on his way westward on journey that
will include a long-contemplated visit to the
United States-a visit that was quite fully
prepared for in $780, and then postponed.
His Majesty, whose name in full is Som
detch Phra Paramindr Maha Chulaong-
korn, is now in Italy. He reached Venice
in his yacht few days ago, and
ceived with military honors by the Duke of
Genoa, who represented King Humbert and
was escorted to the Hotel Danielli, with his
four sons, the crown prince, and Princess
Svasti, Chira and Charoon, and his suite,
comprising Colonel Ragavalth, Captain Sar-
raeiddi, Colonel Tune and Mr.. Verney, sec
rotary to the Siamese embassy at London.
AS the King intends visiting London and
other European capitals, and will continue
his tour by easy stages, he Will not arrive
in New York for some weeks, and has not
as yet stated when he expects to be here.
The purpose of this long journey is not
simply for the pleasure of travelling and
Sightseeing but 1t is tour OF education,
for the cultured King, who is a remarka-
bly, well-informed student, desires to add
to his learning and to the knowledge of his
royal children. With this the principal OBJ
ject the King will devote himself to gain
ing all possible pleasure from visit that
he has long contemplated, one object of
which was to again meet General Grant,
but which is now to visit the tomb of the
great soldier.
on April 10. 1888 General Grant, who en-
tertained a deep regard for the King, and
admired his learning and progressive spirit,
wrote him a letter, in which he referred to
prophecy that will be fulfilled. The letter,
in part, said:
"A year or two ago we were led to be-
lieve that the United States was to be hon
ored by visit from YOU | hope the visit
is only postponed, not abandoned. You will
receive a. most hearty welcome mere from
both government and the people. and my
family retain the liveliest recollection of
our visit to Siam and of your kind hoSpi-
tality and would enjoy much second
expect ever again to take so long jour
Our approaching royal visitor is yet a
Young man for a ruler of six million peo-
Pile who has attained nigh position IN the
esteem of the civilized world. He was born
in 1853 and elected King or the supreme
Council of State in October, 1868, when only
fifteen wears old, and was crowned in the
following November, but the government
was in the hands of regency until ne
came of age under the Siamese law, in 1873.
when he was recrowned and the regency
He is a handsome manly fellow, with
broad and liberal education, that raises
him far above the average princes of the
far East or of any land. He can converse
fuentlv in all of the Oriental languages,
can speak French and Italian nearly as
we'll as his native tongue, and we will hear
him in good English when he arrives here.
Not only is he a student of languages, but
he is familiar with the literature OF the
civilized world, and is particularly Well
versed in international Jurisprudence and
the sciences that relate in any manner TO
national advancement.
King Chulanlongkorn is particularly for
tuuate in being a beloved monarch and
having had one of the most peaceful and
prosperous reigns since the establishment
of the empire He is progressive in the in
terests of national advancement, and is
most emphatically a reformer He has
practically abolished slavery. diminished