The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-07-11
KING OF SIAM COMING
CHULALONGKORN WAS ONE OF
EIGHTY CHILDREN OF HIS FATHER.
Speaks French and English, EnliSht-
ened in Many Ways, and Has $50
Children of His own.
Julian Ralph, in New York Journal

of the last Independent Indian kingdom, is
one of the most enlightened Asiatic sover-
eigns and man of learning, who has prof
tied by European education and who pos
sesses statesmanlike views. He speaks and
writes both English and French, and is
esteemed and beloved on account of his
amiabihty and urbanity, both by his own
subjects and by all Europeans residing in
Siam. King Chulalongkorn the son of
King Maka MOngkut, was born on Sept. 90
1853, at Bangkok, the capital of Siam. His
father had the modest number of six hun
dred wives besides three thousand oda-
lisques, and left at his death eighty-one
children. Part of this numerous posterity
was educated by an Englshman, Capt
John Bush and by an American lady, Mrs
Leonowness. Both teachers, to judge from
the striking results shown in King Chula-
longkorn, must have been remarkably
clever instructors. The rapid progress
made by Chulalongkorn induced his father
to appoint him his successor. He passed
his youth. according to the custom of his
country, in Buddhist monastery, fulfilling
the duties of a monk, and at the same time
preparing himself for the kingly office.
In 1873 Chulalongkorn, on completing his
majority, assumed the reins of government
illzation the day of his accession by
issuing edict forbidding the Siamese to
kneel or crawl in the dust before himself
and the state dignitaries, as had formerly
been the custom in that country.
Il desire equality among all my sub
jects," he said in his speech from the
throne, "as the welfare of a land is impos-
sible when the principle of equality is abb
sent" The admirable work of reform ac-
complished by the King has been enormous
He has abolished slavery, founded hospi-
tails and schools, sent al his own cost many
young men to Europe to complete their ed
ucation, introduced railways, established
post and telegraph offices, which also &C
act1tude, carried out an extensive regura-
ton of the streets and houses in Bangkok
In the style of Baron Haussmann, laid
down water supply for the city, installed
electric lights, and caused census of the
houses to be taken, besides effecting num-
berless smaller improvements. He has also
devoted his attention to both army and
navy and instituted general compulsory
military service, limited, however to three
only numbers some thousand men.
MILLIONS ON WAT PRA KEO.
The King has also done his utmost to
keep alive ancient national art, the chief
expression of which finds an outlet in the
fantastic Oriental temples and palaces of
the country. AS an enthusiastic Buddhist
he encourages the display of pomp and the
erection Of magnificent buildings, in which
the Eastern mind takes such delight. He
has expended millions on the completion of
the temple commenced by his predecessors.
Wat Pra Keo, which is not merely one
building, but a city of temples extending
along the banks of the River Meinam
The travellers who have visited Siam have
wonders to relate of the gilded halls, of
the immense and costly rarities, of life
sized statues, beset with jewels which are
to be seen in Siam. Gigantic diamonds and
rubies with heapSOf other precious stones,
magnificent thrones, gold dinner services
and gold spittoons, incrusted with Jewels
adorn the palaces while entire floors of
immense nails are inlaid with gold and sill
yer. In the midst of these magnificent
temples and royal abodes rises the far
famed statue of Buddha, covered with en-
eralds.
The palace which the King has had con-
structed for his own special residence is
Siamese. The European furniture is of i'm
mense value That adjoining the royal
apartments was ordered in London, and
The King personally presents an interest
ing mixture of European and Asiatic In
fuences His face is mild and sympathetic;
ne has black hair, small beard, and his
large, sparkling eyes are full of vivacity
and fire He is of middle siZe has an ele-
CANT and slender figure, and is generally
Ions, silk, apron-like garment pennang)
resembling full, short trousers He wears
also buckled shoes, and long stockings. He
adds no jewels to his ordinary attire-a re-
markable trait in an Asiatic monarch-but
when he dons his uniform the five highest
Siamese orders are added
The daily routine In his palace follows
the ancient traditions of Siamese life Con-
cubinage exists, but the King can only ele-
waite two wives of royal blood to royal dig
nifty. The custom still exists in Slam that
princes and mobiles, on ceremonial state oc-
casions, present their prettiest daughters of
tender age to the King. 1t is therefore no
wonder to hear that he is the father of 100
children. BY this time Siam might have
been exclusively populated with royal
princes and princesSes if the law did not
regard royal pretensons as extinct in the
third generation.
Though the King has so many wives, his
affections seem entirely centered on the
wife named Sakuntala. This was observed
during his late journey to Switzerland
where he often mentioned her while adj
miring the wonders of Swiss mountain
scenery. Once, at breakfast, at Interlaken.
he said, with the greatest feeling: II
Of the Queen, whose. absence 1 so much
feel. How she would enjoy all this with
me, If she were only here! She would sim
ply be always in the fields picking flowers -
1t is related that on parting with Queen
Sakuntala he swore fidelity to her. At any
rate, he is man Of soul who IS not
ashamed of the expression of tender feel
ings and warm words.
THE GORGEOUS FESTIVALS.
The riches and the splendor of the Siam
csc court and the gorgeous festivals often
celebrated there are scarcely to be de-
scribed. The King likes a cheerful life.
and when, in his late journey through
Switzerland, a Swiss general quoted I.u-
theirs lines:
who loves not wine, women and song
Remains a fool his whole life long"
He laughed heartily and said: This Eu-
ropean teacher said a clever thing there. "
Among the hundreds of cases In the
Kings luggage there are about fifty iron
bound chests containing diamonds and gold
and silver articles, intended presents to
the kings, queens and distinguished per
sonages Of Europe These presents are
night by armed Siamese attendants.
Among the most costly of these ornaments
are the gala swords destined for reignfng
monarchs and inclosed in heavy gold scab.
bards. closely set with jewels, such as dia-
monds rubfes and emeralds. The perfo-
rated steel blades are incrusted with gold
ornaments
The arrival of the Samese royal yacht
in European waters has excited a great
deal of attention. Though the vessel Is
nominally only a yacht. she carries num-
Der of guns and is provided with fighting
tops. Captain Cumming. lent by the Brit
ish Admiralty, commands her. and is as
sisted by three other officers OF his nation
allty. For the most part the remaining
officers are Danes. but the whole crew is
Siamese. An interesting chat wis., the
captain Is thus narrated:
rs the King very rich?" ! ventured to
ask, and Captain Cumming replied: Yes
there Is a lot of money in Siam. / will
give you some examples of the royal ex-
penditure in Ceylon. At Colombo one Gin
par breakfast and lunch cost f290 qt