The San Francisco call., 1906-08-26
By Constance Lawrence Dean.

NDSDAls indeed have been. the
experiences among Oriental wo-
men Of Mrs. Arthur Macarthur.
who has just returned from
year and a halfs visit in the Far East
with her husband. Major General Mac
Arthur, the military representative OF
the United states at the Russo japanese.
war. Travelling in his official capacity
Cor nine months at the close of the war.
General Macarthur, accompanied by his
wife and his son, Lieutenant Douglas
Macarthur. who acted as his aide. vis-
tied Japan, China, Siam. Java, Indo-
China. the Malay states, the Straits
Settlements and India, and each of
these faraway countries accorded his
party the sovereign courtesy due such
distinguished tourists
On such an important journey Ameri
can women are to be congratulated
that they were represented by such a
splendid typesas Mrs Macarthur. who
combines WITH a regal beauty a graz
cious manner and a brilliant mind. and
who at the many state affairs given in
honor Of her and her husband by Cen
eral kitchener. the rulers Of Japan, the
King Of Siam and many other Eastern
potentates. was greatly admired. When
General Macarthur was ordered to
Manchuria to observe the tactics of the
most modern of wars his wife at once
reIinquished home comforts and left her
large circle of friends to accompany
him and share his hardships. But
though prepared to face any frontier
experiences, 1t was deemed best that
she make her headquarters in Japan.
while the general went to the front.
During his absence this enterprising
American woman. with a maid and
guide. toured Japan for six months. her
position giving her rare opportunity to
observe the people Of the island king
dom. Upon the generals return they
started on their nine months tour Of
the Far East, one Of the most thorough
expeditions ever made by an American
ohicial party.
Clad in a beautiful suit Of pongee
broadcloth, the three-quarter coat. and
cape exQuisitely embroidered in self
tones. a necklace set with old temple
Jade from China, Mrs. Macarthur made
a striking picture the other day as she
told something of her many expert
ences on the other side of the globe.
1T was Siam which especially appealed
10 ne" said she. "Of all the women
Of the Orient none interested me more,
for they and their country are in a
stage Of transition. They are coming
out into the light Of thorough civiliza-
tion these shut-in women. and it was
fascinating indeed to study them We
saw few enough Of the aristocratic
members of the fair sex in Siam, for
most of them are closely housed. The
Queen is never met socially. She lives
in a fine palace Of ner own, but re-
ceives no one there and is never pres
e7t at court functions. One oc-
casionally sees her taking her after
noon drive, but she greets no one She
is the mother Of the Crown Prince, but
her supremacy over the many other
wives of the King is uncertain. resting
entirely on the continued existence of
her son. The present Prince is the
third TO become heir apparent, two
former ones having died. The personal
selection Of the King, not the age of
the son. determines which boy shall be-
come Crown Prince. The two former
Queens had their hour Of glory, and
each in turn, upon the death of her son,
gave way to the mother of the youth
chosen for the dignity of new heir ap-
Darent But despite the fact that the
King follows the Eastern custom of
polvgarny he is in other respects
thoroughly modern man.
He is in very fact an ideal king, be-
loved of his people and OF pronounced
personal magnetism Educated in
England, the King OF Siam speaks
languages and is perfect Chester
field in manner truly royal person.
age In appearance he is like a hand
some brunette European. Always ac-
companied by several OF his children,
he rides about the streets in his auto
mobile in the most democratic way,
while the people applaud with delight.
His palace at Bangkok is a perfect