Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-31

defining the respective spheres OF influence
of the two nations-France to exercise her
influence east of the Menam river and
England on the west Of that stream.
The Fight for Trade.
ISLAM owns considerable territory on the
Malay peninsula, where is produced one
half of all the tin used in the world, and
the principal vein of that metal is sup
posed to extend above the Samese line.
Two or three years ago an effort was
made by a party of American capitalists
to obtain control of those mines They
intended to bring out the ore In ships, to
be smelted in the United States, but the
English adviser to the king had an export
duty of 10 per cent ad valorem imposed
upon the ore, which made the deal I'M
profitable, but her great mineral wealth
still exposes Slam to another danger. The
tin is now smelted there and shipped out
In ingots. The mines in the Malay
states are owned by Scotch capitalists;
those in Siam owned by natives, Chi
nese and few Europeans. They nave
never been fully developed.
THE ultimate purpose of those who are
playing the game of politics In Siam and
the neighborng colonies is to establish
new trade routes from the upper ang-tse
river, in China, to the sea-a desire based
upon the fact that it drains one OF the
most populous and richest sections Of
China, which will some day become
great market for manufactured mercnan-
disc. The trade now goes down the river
to Shanghai. The French hoped to divert
1t along new route by the use of the
Mekong river, which appears on the map
as the natural outlet. but explorations
have disclosed shoals and rapids when
make navigation impossible.
ION the other hand, the English are ex-
tending the railways Of Burma through
the Shan states to the navigable part or
the Yang-tse river in order to make a new
trade route to Rangoon, on the Bay OF
Bengal. This will shorten the distance
from the upper Yang-tse country to Eu-
rope by 1900 miles.
Mekong river was impractcable she has
been looking with greedy eyes at the
Menam, which, flowing southwark divides
wondering how she can obtain control of
that stream.
Germany's Great Advance.
And there the situation stands at pres
emit The exports of rice and teakwood
from Slam amount to about $50, 100000 a
year, and while England and France are
intriguing over the control of the territory,
Germany is walking away with the trade.
OF late Germany has made tremendous
strides toward the control of the shipping
facilities of the east and the extension of
her markets by means of wise and liberal
policy of steamship subsidies, which 1t
would be profitable for the members OF the
American Congress to study Formerly
England controlled the trade of Siam Ger
many purchased the two principal steam
ship lines, and her trade is now three times
that of Great Britain. The Germans realize
that if the French extend their influence in
Siam they will lose what they have gained
at Bangkok. and that fact is likely to bring
Germany into any controversy which might
affect the integrity of Siam and also al
most insures the independence of that gov
eminent.
ba II SC n
progressive man; he desires modern inno-
vations. Under his leadership Siam is fol-
lowing the example of Japan and is making
rapid progress. The king has the assistance
Guiding Prince Damrong, who has been
called the ablest of all Asiatics,' and is
certainly a very wise, enterprlsing and
progressive man. He also has in his en-
ploy adviser on foreign affairs-an able
and conscientious American, Mr.. +. H.
StrOebel, formerly assistant secretary of
state at Washington and later professor of
international law at Harvard Unfortu-
nately Mr.. Strobel has been seriously i'll
for several months and has not been able
to perform his official duties. l believe he
is in Washington recuperating his
health, but expects to return to Bangkok
very soon.
Slams Progressiveness.
"The Siamese are building railways with
considerable enterprise continued Mr.
Kerr. They already have 574 kilometers
in operation, which are earning good divi-
dends. and have about 400 kilometers under
construction. which will be finished during
the coming year, and give them a system
of about 625 miles. Bangkok has four cleo
trio tramways and is lighted by electricity
system Of modern education has been in
troduced. under a foreign superintendent OF
education, and Buddhist priests are being
trained for teachers Of modern learning in
addition to their spiritual duties. A normal
school, under instructors imported from Eu-
rope has been established for the education
of the priests. The king shows his interest
by offering two scholarships in European
universities for competition. The students
who win them are offered employment
under the government after they have OBJ
tanned their degrees The future King OF
Siam, who recently visited the United
States. is a graduate of Oxford University
His name is Prince Chowfa Maha Vajr.
avudh. and he is very intelligent and pro-
greSSfve young man.
"A department Of justice has recently
been established at Bangkok for the pur.
pase of revising and undermining the laws
of the country. The army, consisting OF
about 5000 men. has been placed on mod
ern basis and a very creditable military
been established. The finances Of the coun-
try are well managed. About one-half OF
the revenues. however, are derived from
gambling lotteries and the sale of opium
and import duties of per cent ad valorem
upon everything. The king is trying to
abolish gambling. In 1905 order was
issued closing one-half of the gambling
houses. On the 31st Of December, 1906, all
of the remainder were ordered closed, leav-
ing only those in the city of Bangkok. The
loss of revenue In this reform has been sc
great that the government desires to In
crease the import duties from to or s
per cent: but That requires the consent OF
the European powers, and the gambling
houses in Bangkok cannot be suppressed
until 1t is obtained. Without the revenue
derived from them the expenses of the gov
eminent and public improvements already
undertaken could not be paid for. Diplo-
matte negotiations are In progress. If Eng
land. France and Germany will agree to ar
increase of the customs duties not only
gambling, but the lotteries, will be sup.
pressed. and the opium and liquor traffic
will be regulated and restricted"
"Silence Cure" for Women.