The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-10-26
SOMETHING ABOUT SIAM
TALK WITH MIR. BARRETT, FORMER
UNITED STATES MINISTER THERE.
The Land Over Which the Prince Now
i'm This Country VIII Event.
ually Rule.

North China Daily News of Sept. rs.
The Crown Prince of Siam will arrive in
America en- route home from Europe about
Oct /. After remaining in the United
States until the middle of November he will
sail from San Francisco for Japan and then
proceed south via Shanghai and Hong
Kong to Bangkok. He should reach this
neighborhood about Jan. l. Taking advan-
tage of the presence in Shanghai of Mr.
John Barrett, late United States minister
to Siam, and now commissioner general to
the Orient for the st. Louis Worlds Expo
sition, the North China Daily News has Sc
cured from him the following interview
about Siam, its King and his son. the
crown prince, which will be of interest in
view of the latter's return home after an
absence of ten years in England. Mr.. Bar
rett said:
1.-The return of Vajravudh, the Crown
Prince of Siam, by way of America, japan
and China, has more than the usual signifi-
canoe attached to the visits in foreign lands
of such princes. While the assertion can
not be made as absolutely positive, it Is
not improbable that, If the crown prince re-
ports favorably on his reception and expe-
riences in these lands, his father, the King,
Chulalonkorn 1. will in the near future de-
eide to go to America by the way Of Japan.
There is no doubt that he would like to I'M
dertake this tour if political conditions in
Siam will permit. There is no question,
moreover. in my mind, that he would be
| well received in America, where better ac-
quaintance with him and his remarkable
kingdom is being developed through inter
| est in the visit of his son.
vI-c hao 10
| by those unfamiliar with the record and
character of King Chulalonkorn and with
| the progress and prosperity Of Siam, 1t
would seem as if there was general ignor-
ance of the real qualities of this monarch
and of the conditions and possibilities of his
| country. The King is undoubtedly man
| of rare ability and force. He may have his
| faults and weaknesses like all rulers, but
| he certainly possesses an individuality that
| is exceptional among his people. He is the
| one man in Siam that would be CHOSEN
| King. There is none to rival him; none to
be jealous of his sway. He stands head and
| shoulders above all. do not think there'is
| any other monarch, either in Asia or
| Europe, who is more genuinely loved and
| respected by his subjects than this King.
| 1t is safe to say also that few, If any,
sovereigns have labored more sincerely and
| devotedly to advance the welfare of their
people. He has made mistakes possibly,
| and some question the wisdom of his poll
| cies, but this is true of European monarchs
and American Presidents. He impresses all
| who meet him as a man OF high pur-
| poses. and his reign, viewed as whole. is
| greatly to mis- credit. Under him Siam has
| achieved the distinction of being the most
progressive Independent Asiatic kingdom
| after Japan.
THE PRESENT KING.
''King Chulalonkorn has a prepossessing
presence He is slightly taller and broader
than the average Siamese. He has a face
that indicates high intelligence and quick
perception. He is graceful and dignifed
in carriage and dresses in excellent taste
whether wearing native or foreign clothes
His manners are those of a born gentle
man, and he always shows kindly. but not
ostentatious consideration for the members
of the diplomatic corps and for foreigners
| in his employ. There is nothing boorisf
about him. Perhaps a most interesting
Characteristic is his command OF the Eng
| lish language. He speaks IL with perfect
| grammatical correctness and with no hes
| itation. Although he never visited Europ;
until his notable trip in 1896. he was taught
| English as boy by Mrs. Leonowens. q
| brilliant governess from Nova Scotia. The
King keeps close track of European and
| American politics, and has on the tables
OF his study in his palace representative
European and American magazines, re
| views and newspapers. This palace Is
costly. handsome structure, not barbara
in appearance or furnishings. but com
| of architecture and finish of interior
Despite the many weird stories told o.
siam, the government there Is housed II
up-to-date modern structures and moves
along with almost as much internal sys
tenn and regularity as the smaller govern
ments of Europe. IL Siam were left L
work out her own destiny and were no
would astonish the world In the progress
she would make. II Is = Pity that . NOR