The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-11-07

men: He is agile and sprightly in body
quick and responsive in mind, winning
and suave In manner. In the less than
8 year he has been stationed here Min
lister Akharaj has awakened an interest
In his country. her resources and needs
that will be instrumental in stimulating
trade between the United States, which
Siam.
The minister very Justly attributes a
part Of his success to his accomplished
secretary, Mr.. Lotus, an Englishman by
birth, as his name indicates. but who
has resided in Siam since childhood and
who has been in the service Of the Siam
csc government for more than twenty
years. Mr.. Lotus first visited this coun-
try as an attache Of Prince Sonapandit S
embassy In 1885, and was thereafter at
tached to the legation in London for many
years. His long experience, knowledge
of the oriental character, pleasant per-
sonality, tact and SAVIOR faire make him
an Invaluable aid, and as long as the
present minister continues at this post
he will be g. permanent fixture in Wash
ington.
King chuIulongkorn Coming Also.
The king is in many ways one of the
most interesting rulers in the orient. He
Is q son Of the famous and remarkable
J.
1862 and his reign will long be noted for
the many reforms he has introduced 1t
Is rarely that an absolute monarch shows
himself so democratic and progressive as
the present King of Siam. He has intro
duced a privy council, a cabinet and legis-
lative council, and, instead Of exercising
his autocratic powers, abides by the deci-
sion Of the advisers he has appointed
The king IS ready at all times to consid-
er propositions looking to the progress and
welfare Of his people, and lends his hearty
cooperation to. any project which prom
ises to work for the betterment of his
kingdom,
The king is a firm believer in the expe-
rience and cultivation one gains from for
eign travel, and he is constantly sending
his officials to investigate foreign meth
DDS. In 1855 he sent his half brother.
Prince Sonapandit, now minister of his
household, on voyage of discovery
around the world, with instructions to
study and observe and to bring back any
hints that might be of advantage to SIAM
His sons are all being educated in Eu-
rope. and, besides these members of his
household. he maintains ninety young men
who are pursuing professional and scien-
tif1c studies abroad, and he himself has
visited both Europe and Asia, and is plain
ming, after the return of the crown prince,
when he can install him as regent, to
make journey to this country.
The king is deep student and a deyot-
ed member of the faith he processes. He
has the only complete collection of the
Buddhist scriptures in the world, which
he carefully annotated, and Of which he
personally supervised the publication.
Four sets Of the thirty nine volumes of
this important work were presented to
libraries In the United States and, as a,
recognition of his labor in this connection.
the University of Oxford conferred upon
him the degree of D. c. L.
The Princes Mission. ss..' - e.
The crown prince does not come as the
head Of a large embassy on an especial
mission, but for private reasons-to ex-
tend his knowledge of the country and to
study Its institutions. His visit, there
fore, is only semi official in character.
and the ceremony that will mark his en- :
tertainment will be simple and unostenta-
tious. ,....-....t.-.- p.
But his stay in the United States VIII
have at least one good result-in stirnu
lating interest in the far away land he
represents, about which. despite the sew
eral missions the king has from time to
time sent out for educational purposes
very little is known; yet Siam invites
foreign trade. and would prove a good
market to enterprising Americans
Siam is often called, the Heart of Fur
Their India because Of it's central posi-
ton, the influence it has exercised over
Ethe neighboring states, and because It has
maintained Its native government, while
| Its bordering nations have fallen under