The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1906-06-07
SLAM AND TREATY REVISION.

SIAM AND TREATY REVISION,
On my way back to the Far East
paid another visit to Bangkok From
time to time during the past ten years
1t has been my privilege to direct at
tention to the transformation that is
being spontaneously effected in the
Government and administration of
Siam. 1t has been recorded with pleas
ure how large a measure of success has
already attended the efforts of this
country to raise itself to place in the
comfy of civilized nations. More than
usually opportune must a brief sur
vey of the situation he now, when Siam
is approaching the treaty Powers with
a view to the revision Of the treaties in
force for the last fifty years OF recent
changes, the one that has proved Of
most advantage of Siam has been the
engagement of the American jurist,
Prof Edward Strobel, as general adj
wiser. He is assisted by one of his
Harvard colleagues, Mr.. Westengard.
The ability and tact with which he
has discharged the duties Of his ditfi-
cult post are. recognized by all With
out the. confidence of the king, his task
would have been impossible, 1t would
/ have been equally unavailing if he had
| failed to gain the confidence of the
| foreign representatives and Of the fore
| ign employees of the King. The i'm
! provement which he has assisted to
| bring about in the friendly intercourse
of this small state with the representa-
4 tives of the Great Powers cannot be too
| highly praised.
The relations of Siam with all the
| Powers may be considered satisfactory,
| though perhaps some wagner term
should be applied to her relations with
her powerful neighbors on the east,
whose policy in Siam continues to be
! guided rather by the colonial party in
Indo-China than by the calmer and
more reasonable Foreign Office in Paris
A policy of somewhat unnecessary iri-
tation is still evident but apart from
this, the relation of France with Siam
are more agreeable than they have
been for many years. The evacuation
of Chantaboon took place without in
cident; the delimitation by mixed
commission of the frontier of Luang
Prabang Is being effected without fric-
ton, While the appointment Of an able
member Of the diplomatic service, NJ
Padoux as legislative adviser and as
one of the judges of the Court of APP
peal has been a complete success.
Considerable interest was taken at
Bangkok in the Algeciras conference
Germany did not fail to make capita
out Of her intervention in Morocco
vaguely hinting that therein might b.
found a possible precedent should SINH
lar occasion arise in Siam. In her sub
sidized telegaphic news agency she has
an effective weapon of misrepresenta.
ton blunted by no scruples Of con
science. Germany is steadily improv
ing her position in Siam. Her ship
ping is easily first. In the coasta
trade between Bangkok Singapore
Hongkong, and British North Bornet
she has now thirty-nine steamers o
81 240 tons, largely feeding her Euro
pean main lines with an excellent ser
vice of steam lighters for the shallow
navigation at the mouth Of Menan
| l. llV ilNCL mas bSSii uOdpiNh SlliNC II wei
purchased outright eight years agt
from its British owners. Lately sh,
& has secured from Siam facilities fol
stationing her own coal hulks at thu
mouth of the Menan. This predomi
nance cannot long remain unchallenget
but 1t seems as II 1t were to Japan ant
not to England that one must look foi
tot, IN tho f1ytttra
Having gained the leading position in
the sea communication with Bangkok
Germany finds commercial and poll
teal advantages in her control Of tn
Siamese Government railways. Rail
way construction here Is virtually {
German monopoly. Though the chic
contracts are put up to open tender
every possible evasion Of the open doc
policy In regard TO the railways Is prac
tised in Siam, as 1t is in Shan-tung
This railway question Is one tina
directly concerns us. 1t Is essentia
that railways should be constructed II
the Siamese Malay States, but we can
not approve of railways being con
structed in our sphere of influence b,
Germans with Germans methods of pre-
ference.
The relations Of England with Sian
continue most satisfactory. Our com
mercial enterprises are prosperous
while as in the past loyal and excel
lent service for the Siamese govern
ment is being rendered by English
men in many branches Of the Admins
tration. 1t is superfluous to recall
how consistently friendly has been on
policy in Bangkok. In opposition t
the sentiment of the Straits Settlements
and in disregard Of the wishes of tn
States themselves, our Government ha
assisted in the establishment Of STA
mese influence in the Mahommedai
States of Kelantan and Trnganu, 4
the Malay peninsula. Without GU
sanction and cooperation this authorit
could not have been established. Star
has yet to render an account of he
stewardship.
Japanese are giving increased after
ton to Siam. There have even bee
humors of an approaching betrothal {
the Crown Prince with a Japanes
princess. The Siamese army is no
provided with rifles made in Japal
so, 900 stand of the 1897 model with 81
bore having been purcased a few yerG
ago. A military spirit is abroad in II
country. No movement in Siam NEE