Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1906-02-23
THE KING OF SIAM
CELEBRATES BIRTHDAY
Former Grants Pass Boy Tells
of the Decorations and
the ( estivities.

Bangkok. Siam, Nov. 18th, 1905.
His Majesty, Chulalongkorn. King
of Siam, celebrated his 52d birthday,
and 81 years of reign over the King.
dom of Siam, the country of the
sacred white elephant.
Each year on this occasion the city
is simply turned into fairy land,
everyone dons their best clothing and
each tries to outdo the other In dec.
Grating their homes and places Of
business. Every conceivable object
was decorated, while at night the
city was aglow with millions upon
millions of tiny cocoanut oil lamps,
making a most weird scene as they
twinlked in the breeze. The decora.
tions this year far exceeded those Of
any previous year. Several of the
large Watts (Pagodas) we're covered
with thousands Of these tiny lamps,
and as these structures lowered above
the surrounding buildings they appear.
ed AS tremendous pillars of fire.
The Siamese flag, red field and
white elephant, decorated every
conceivable object, and everywhere
were to be seen the words Long live
the kiDgl' The many street cars
were so decorated that they seemed
but garland of 1owers and shining
beads speeding through the streets.
On the front of one was working
model Of a rice mill. with engine and
boiler under full steam. ON others
were to be seen the image Of Confu-
cius and the carp, lions, tigers.
leopards and elephants.
At 10 a. IN. the king passed down
the river in his royal barge to view
the decorations, and at p. IN. he
passed through the principal streets
driving his own monster electric car
to view the land decorations. The
king has several very fine electric cars
and may be seen out any evening with
his children and the queen.
Daring the evening the annual
coronation ball was held inside the
foreign Office building in the king s
palace grounds. The buildings were
handsomely decorated. while inside
they were furnished in true Oriental
magnificence and splendor, the carpets
and hangings were of the finest tur-
kish make and represented fabulous
wealth. The kings younger brother,
heir apparent o the throne, assisted
by the crown prince, received the
foreign guests and diplomatic corps.
The music was most charming. At
one end of the hall were 90 stringed
instruments played by Egyptian and
Italian women while in the court of
the building below was stationed the
kings Royal band which played to the
delight of everyone, more especially
to Americans, 'or in all their music
was noticeable familiar bars of
American airs, such as Marching
Through Georgia, Old Folks at
Home" Washington Post" and
many others This is explained by
the fact that the leader of the kings
band for many years was German
American and he had composed prac.
tically all the music.
At II 40 the king. accompanied by
his brother and crown prince, entered
the hall speaking to those he wished
and holding few moments converse.
tion with the different diplomatic
corps. The king leading the guests
all following passed into the foreign
court room, whore most sumptuous
supper was served in up-to date
European manner. The king occupied
the head of the table, while on his
right was the American Minister,
Hamilton King, ON thu left, Mr.
Strobel his legal advisor. so on were
the different government representa-.
tives seated.
Afer the supper was over Mr.. Strobel
had the distinguished honor of his
majesty the king, bestowing upon him
the highest order-"The grand cross
NJ the White Elephant. which is
memorable rs mark Of royal appre.
citation of signal services rendered hy
him as general advisor to the throne.
The principal Of these services was
that of bringing about the fiual ad. 1
lnstment and conclusion of the
Franco Siamese convention, which |
has secured TO Siam welcome period I
ot freedom from international worries.
Mr., .tStrobel--.. has rendered to the |
Siamese government Indispensable I
services for which the king has given |
The highest possible token OF apprecia.
tion. IL is fact of some pride TO
know that our country has furnished !
such diplomats as Hamilton King /
and Mr.. Strobel, to strengthen the .
friendly relations between our repub. |
lie and the kingdom of sam.
Sian, - ,pa L t,,, .......a ..-s