Omaha daily bee., 1902-05-18
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1EEYL2I Siam has a legation at Washing
S0 ton accredited so'ely to the United
States. Prior to this there has been one
minister for the United states ana Eng anu
who has spent most Of his time In London
and visited Washington only periodically to
pay his respects to the president ana at
tend to Slamese interests on this side the
ocean. OF late, however. the king has been
pushing his trade in every possible way
and has now established an envoy eXlraordl-
nary and minister plcnipotentiary at wash
irpton. The new minister has the title nt
Phya Akharaj Yaradhara, and he has held
the highest official positions at home TIC
has been associated with the Imperial cabl-
net and has made a reputation for hlmseIt
MS n diplomat and statesman. The minister
ia n native Siamese. He belongs to the no
buity and is a man Of education ana accom-
plishment. HI does not speak English hu-
emily, and my interview concerning the
country was. at his request, carried on
through the secretary Of the legation MI
Edward II. LOTUS.
Our conversation opened with some kind
expressions as to the friendly feeling when
the king and his people have for Americans
Said Mr.. LOTUS:
"His majesty, the king, is anxious to
further the trade of his country WIN
yours. He has the friendliest OF feelings
toward Americans and wishes even closer
relations than those which now exist De,
tween the two people, The legation VII
do all II can to better the trade oet"ee'
the two countries and | really think We
have a market there which your people az
NOT appreciate. Siam is one OF the riches
countries of the far east. 1t Is blgge
than France or Germany and II has a popu
lation Of about 1000, 600. 1t is a country o
many large cities and one with whlch III
English and the Germans have a lars
trade. It is one which is equally open I
the Americans, who we hope Will troi
now on, rapidly Increase their exports
American Houses In BanEkok.
But have we not already a big bushes
with your country" | asked,
Nothing like so great as 1t should De
replied MIR. LOTUS. you send us son
machinery ana hardware and a large nun
her Of BICYCLES. We buy some OF 20
writing and printing paper and a I'LL
stationery and some breadstuhs' toDac
and coal oil. The trade |. 1900 was mo
than two and one-half times as great as
was in 1899, but you have not begun
touch It's possibilities. You should sen
sorts OF machinery and almost every nj
OF American notions. siam Is an as'N'
tural country. II has also enormous arr
OI lOINHlns VI 80 49,
and American saws and axes should De
demand. Russia surpasscs you IN IT'S sh
mept OF coal oil. ana as to all kinds OF c
ton goods England has the lead lnde
about 90 per cent OF the foreign trade
Siam is with England, although the u
mans are try NJ hard to Introduce u
manufactures
both Germans and English have o'
ness houses in Bangkok and other SIAN
cities and the Americans should estap
similar institutions. Your manutaelu'
should send out their agents and do D
ness with the country direct instead
selling through Hong Kong and singal
as you now do
"Along what lines could Americans II
money IN Siam, Mr.. Loftus?" said l.,
There are many openings for capital
lied to good business brains was
reply. 18th trade In lakewood Is lar
done by foreign syndicates. There Is
English company far in the interior "
has a capital of $4,000, 900. 1t ship