The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-09-11
III.

inactivity ana uSelessheSs.
III.
By reading In connection the second and the
twenty third chapters Of this book, n clear idea
can be gained of the progress accomplished or
contemplated by Siamese legislation from 1902
down to the close of 1897. In the year. nrst
named the King created, In addition to the old
Council OF State. a Council OF Ministers, twelve
In number, mostly heads OF departments. This
council was composed OF his own younger or
half brothers, and q few of the higher noblos.
The more important departments then
constituted were the Foreign ONCE, the
Army. the Navy, Public Works. Agriculture.
Justice. Education and Finance. The internal
administration was then carried on by two
separate departm ents. one for the north and
one for the south. but these have since been
consolidated In o single Department OF the
Interior. the head OF which is Prince DamronG.
Tit Foreign ONCE had been for many years
managed by an able and pleasant brother OF
the King. Prince Denawongse In 1892. how
ever. arrangements. for which the credit was
principally due to Prince Damrong. were made
to secure an experienced adviser from Europe.
and soon after the services Of NJ. Rolin Jao,
was employed under lord Cromer. to Siam,
ddiT plom M@S Tor With such an adviser. What
ever mistakes might be no prevari-
tons Of strict adherence to ali promises would
prevail. ofthe army and navy; the latter Is, q
both services. It is pronounced q matter Of re-
gret that. owing partly to the inherent laginesS
which the conscription is conducted. as well az
to the wretched pay and to the manner In, which
f SSn. s or mss e enH s 3 IN Se Itheleq the Sni army 1ne I or
navy. is universally looked down upon. The girls
T SToid a0f hi sPeakh s 20 f ee% o Rims seH G to BS an Re opt:
cast, with the result that. when he gets the
S6sRG sS the he b sshaT TSe as orIs sfHSh' m ahfs e%iRnssEtfinIISyi
guished, and men win face anything rather
for that mater. in the navy. No effort seems
to have been made to create an esprit de corps.
the ahae character sSig,stS or Of trained Bands Of coolies. to do
whitewashing or to figure in processions. OF
peatina rifles, officers and drill books north Of
ne equator TilI not produce lighting men: In
struction has been practically a5olis6ed, q5-
officer. who. personally. performs all the drill
Ing that is done: There are three regiments
NANCY. Australian horses and twoscore little
siamese ponies; there are two artillery regi;
eight infantry regiments. Of which four reGi-
mepts Of the line are credited on paper
t Ehi5h sT Is hS Sst Sad so f ssSe' against a ! P eRs sam me-
popular oHaaT =, aversion and against the role Of
other Dane. Commodore de Rlchelieu. acquired
an efficiency far beyond anything else In Siam.
In spite of old, ant-eaten hulls, worn-out ma
chinery and bad material. the Commodore and
his Danish officers have created a force which
our author considers really creditable. A bat
their distances. and the training. ship which
takes the youngsters away in the Gulf OF Siam
for some months every year Is the %cleanest and
smartest thing OF which the Government can
boast. Even In the navy. however. the evil
practices OF Siamese ohicialdom sometimes
crop up. and every time the Commodore returns
from a tour Of Inspection he has to settle many
cases OF By the seamen Of must treat
ment on the part Of the native officers. The men
/ PeRuans. a strong. handsome race. who live
mostly u%p-river. and to the northwest OF Bang:
kok. in separate communities. Both naval and
military services suffer. from the lack OF Euro
pean officers. The native subaltern can never
be made to understand that he can be digni6ed
without being arrogant. that discipline can be
secured without, cruelty. and that respect for
second object Of military training: Even
seldom thoroughly trusted. and consequently
do not have a free hand. Owing to their
own want Of wisdom In the past In the Sc.
lection OF Europeans, the Siamese have had
some unpleasant disillusions. and the result 10
that they now suspect every one they employ.
This suspicion has led to q eystem by which
almost every European In the service either
native to, whom is given almost equal powers,
or else, while receiving mis- salary. he is left
severely alone and allowed to do nothing. The
enforced idleness or discomfort thus caused has
brought about the resignation Of many n good
man.