The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-11-10
II. X. H., Somedetch Chowfa
Maha Vajirayudh in Topeka:
Kept in His Car and the Curious
We're Unrewarded.
is ENJOYING THE TRIP.
Likes America Much Better
Than England.
He Hasn't Been at Home for
Ten Years.

AAASC VI 0ldIll "A special train pear
ing him and his party backed into the
ROCK Island passenger station at about
O'Clock Sunday afternoon and after a
brief halt. steamed out rapidly west
ward.
Nearly a hundred people who were
curious to get a glimpse of the prospec-
tive ruler of the land of the white ele-
phant were on the depot platform when
the special arrived When the train
came In sight through the open car door
among the numerous American mem
bers of the company could be discerned
the form of a dapper little man, of cof-
fee-colored complexion, straight black
hair and carrying in one hand a suit
case. Surely the people were about to
see the royal visitor from far-off Siam
percbance he would alght from the pri-
Vate car Columbia and hold brief re-
ceptiOn to the people of Carrie Nations
town. There was a subdued murmur of
There he is AS soon as the train
stopped opposite the depot waiting room
the man upon whom the crowd had its
eyes on, alighted and walked briskly
away. It was Mai Luan of Atchison,
and he was soon lost in the crowd. But
the people were not satisfied and during
the remainder of the time that the train
paused here there was a craning of
necks in the desire to get sight of the
royal gentleman
They We're disappointed. though, for
| the crown prince was at luncheon and
would not be disturbed to satisfy the
]
So, far as outsiders were concerned
! the SiameSe prince came and went
without making his presence known.
But the curious We're not entirely un-
rewarded. for Mai Luan. the little dark
skinned fellow who dropped off the rear
car when the train came in, is a native
of Bangkok, Siam, one of the leading
cities of that country, and was with the
pulled in over the Chicago & Alton
tracks at Kansas City to the time when
he rushed hastily from the steaming hot
luncheon the train reached Topeka.
During all the time between while the
train was covering the distance between
Kansas City and this city. Mr. Luan
held conference with his royal highness
in the Siamese tongue. 1t was the first
| time in three years and six months that
Luan had had the privilege of speaking
| the Siamese language, or since he sailed
away from his native country to come
| to America. and the conversation in that
/ language was continually interrupted by
| the inadvertent intrusion of the English
which he had used constantly for three
and half years Luan was an ac-
quaintance of one of the crown princes
brothers. and had seen his father the
present ruler of the kingdom, but never
had known him. He is enjoying his
trip through this country very much, -
said Luan after the train had gone. He
has been going to school in England, but
is now on his way home He tells me
that he likes America, a free country,
| better than England"
Newspaper interviews are refused by
| TIE crown prince, although George w.
| Denny, of Washington, D. c., repre-
| sentative of the Associated Press, ac-
companies the special party and keeps
tfe world informed as to the important
events in the trip across the country
Mr.. Denny gives out a statement which
covers the ground of the visit in gen
| eral way. as follows:
1.-The prince is passing through the
United States on his way home after
sojourn in Europe of nearly ten years:
| While there he completed a course of
study in the ROYAL Military COLLEGE
Sandhurst. and at Oxford. In addition
to his collegiate and university train
ing, he spent large amount of time
in travel for the purpose of becoming
familiar with the industrial and gov
ernmental institutions of other coun-
tries. His trip through this country
occupying six weeks. will afford an op-
portunity to complete his observations
in foreign lands, as it will take him
through our principal centers of art and
industry, the chief places of historic in
terest. and enable him to see the most
striking scenic beauties and visit many
of our seats Of learning.
This is a part of the training that his
enlightened father considers necessary
to qualify him for the kIngIy duties that
await him. 1t is no slight compliment
to this country that the last impressions
should be received here, and it will not
be surprising to learn that our institu-
.
felt in years to ccIne in Siam.
'tSiam is a compact country, lying to
the south of China, and between Bur
nah and Cambodia. In area it is nearly
as large as Texas, and has population
of about 16, 900. 600. The soil is extreme
" fertile and the forests of teak are eX-
tensive Rich mines are being developed.
railways built and large fleets of
stea mers are carrying its products to
foreign ports. This kingdom presents a
special interest to us at this time be-
cause of its proximity to our possess
sions in the east
The personnel of the princes party is
Colonel Phya Rajavalabh, first aid-de-
camp; Major Sarasiddihy, second aid
de-camp; Nom Anuva ira. private secre-
: tary: the Siamese minister, E H. Lof-
! tus secretary Of the Siamese legation at
: Washington; Prof J; H. Gore of Column
! bian university. Washington; L. =
! Wheeler and r. H Taylor. state depart
ment Washington, and H Y. Darnell
tourist agent for tie Pennsylvania rail
y road
It is related that the trip over the AL
6 ton from St Louis to Kansas City was
node - such fas- time that the erov-T
4 prince became exceedingly nervous; and
the schedule over the Rock Island was
reduced. This step was probably taker
in order that the distinguished traveller
might have an opportunity to see tn
pointed out to him. The train was one
: of the finest that ever moved across the
f western part of the United States L
e was made up entirely of equipment be
= longing to the Pennsylvania system ant
y was as fellows: Pullman eOmDartmen
a car. Pullman composite car, diner, ane
, private car Columbia, that in which th'
o late President Mckinley made his las
a tour of the country
A special baggagemaster from the Penn