East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1905-03-25

New York, March 25.-That the
United States and England, with
other Christian nations, will soon be
asked to help the King of Siam put
an end to legalized gambling in his
country, is the assertion made today
by the Rev. DR.. Arthur ]. Brown,
secretary of the Presbyterian foreign
board, on the strength OF advices Just
received by him from Siam. Gam
bling in Siam has been licensed and
encouraged by the government, the
monopoly of conducting the gambling
establishments of the cities and towns
being auctioned off to the highest
bidders. Effort has long been max
ing to get the king to put an end to
the government patronage OF the
evil, and he has just issued decree
to that effect. In a large part of the
country gambling is to be stopped on
April first next, in other country dis
tricts year from April; and in
Bangkok, the principal city. in April
of 1907. But for the fulfillment of
the plan the Christian nations Of the
world must help.
The Rev. DR.. Brown. explaining
the part which this country and
England will be called upon to play
in the matter. said today: Gambling
is the national vice of Slam, where
licensed by the government, it is
conducted without attempt at con-
cealment Every village has its
gambling hall; the cities many OF
them. The vice has been vigorously
combatted by the missionaries of the
Presbyterian board of foreign mis-
sions, the only Protestant organiza-
ton having work in the country. and
their efforts have been strengthened
by the influence of the Hon. Hamil.
ton, King, American minister to Siam
a man of fine Christian character
whose friendship and absolute hon.
esty have won for him the respect
and confidence of the Siamese gov
eminent 1t has been represented to
the king that the gambling business
was a detriment to his country. and
the monarch, who, for an AsiatiC
ruler, is enlightened and progressive
has come to see that this is true.
But" continued Mr.. Brown, 1.-THE
king has a difficulty to face because
is now derived from the gambling
concessions. To meet the loss occa-
sion by their abolition in the coun-
try districts 1t has been decided to in
crease the land tax, and this will lay
on the people burden as heavy al
they can be expected to bear. Large
revenue is gained from the city gam
bling houses, and the king of Sian
proposes that its loss be met by rails
ing the import duties a little. To dC
this will require the consent of thu
other nations. and so I say that OF
them, especially on the United State
and England. depends the question
whether the gambling in Bangkol
shall shall not be stopped. Siam i
an extra-territorial country, and b,
treaties the import dues are fixed a
per cent, and they cannot be raise
without the permission of the ma
tons.
There are 1o$ gambling places il
the interior of Siam. By the king
decree 80 of them will be abolishe
next April. The remainder of thes
= interior places will be abolished i
April, 1906; and those in the city o
1 Bangkok will be closed the follow
ing year IL the matter of revenue
can be adjusted. In this way tn
I change will be a gradual one, and 1
2 little over a year the whole of tn
evil will be centered in Bangkok
; where is to be found the largest Oc
I cidental population of the countr!
! This population will, it is hoped, hel
in getting the import dues legislatio
I from their governments. This move
: ment on the part of the Siamese gov
ernment is a tremendous step in ad
B vance and one which merits the ar
proval Of the whole world. 1t will
: the fault of Europe and America
= legalized gambling is not stopped
= Siam in the very near future"