Los Angeles herald., 1905-07-03
MINISTER TO SIAM
VISITS LOS ANGELES
IS ENTHUSIASTIC OVER THE
KINGDOMS PROSPECTS
Regards II as Among the Most Pro-
gressive of Oriental Nations,
Eagerly Adopting Modern Methods
and ldeas--Uniustly Treated

For the first time in seven years
Hamilton King, United States minister
to Siam, set foot on his native land
about two weeks ago, and late Satur-
day evening arrived here at the Van
Nuys Broadway, accompanied by his
wife. They are visiting Mrs. Kings
mother, Mrs. M. w. Seward.
Though nearly recovered from his
illness contracted on the Manturis,
Mr. King still shows its effects. He
was one of the numerous victims Of
poisoning on the steamship resulting
from the crowded condition of the
boat. Both Mr.. and Mrs. King refuse
to discuss the case.
This afternoon they leave for Wash
ington, d. c., where they will visit
friends and Mr.. King will confer with
the president. Both are highly enthusi-
astic over Slam and it's people, and
stoutly defend the little kingdom. 1t
is well known that Mr.. King is in
high favor with the king of the coun-
try and is his personal friend. Before
leaving for this country, the King pre-
sented the United States minister's
wife with a photograph of himself and
the minister with a likeness Of the
queen, the crown prince and himself.
In brief, Mr. King gave out the fol-
lowing in an interview last evening:
SLAM has been unjustly treated by
nearly all of the writers that have
taken up the subject. 1t is in -four
ishing condition and one of the most
progressive of the oriental nations.
The royal family are most intel
ligent and the events of their visit to
this country were grossly exaggerated.
Bangkok, the city where / am located,
is fast becoming a modern city. There
are thirty miles of tramways and
other up-to-date improvements that
characterize a modern city. Through
out the kingdom the modes of today
are fast being adopted and are being
taken up by the people with great
selves they are far more intelligent
and advanced in modern ways than
they are given credit for.
Superstition has lost it's hold on the
people, thanks to the efforts of the
nobility, and the many stories Of their
actions along that line are not in any
way true. They are followers of
Buddha.
"The United States does but little
in the way of commercial trade with
the country. This is due to the fact
that our mechants refuse to accept
their credit and as consequence Ger
many and England have the control
of the greater part of the trade. New
ertheless, the Americans and the
United States are recognized and
treated with as much respect as in any
other country on the face Of the
EARTH"
Mr.. King decried the efforts of jour-
nalists and writer's in their pictures
of the social life of the country. He
said that while Siam is a country of
polygamy, the relations Of man and
wife are as sacred as they are in any
other country. Mr.. King enjoys the
unique distinction of being the only
white man present at the conservation
of the last white elephant found and
brought to the royal palace.
After visiting the president Mr..
King will journey to his former home,
Olivette. Mich, where he will visit for
several weeks, and the remainder of
two months stay in the United
States will be spent in travel.