The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-08-04

most enlightened Asiatic rulers. speaks
and writes both English and French and
has az his advisor Prof. Edward Henry
Strobel. who left the chair Of international
law at Harvard University two years ago TO
take the post. The King is said to be the
most up to date and liberal monarch in
Asia. His second son has studied tactics
in the German army and another son spent
considerable time with the Russians.
King C~hulalongkorn is one of old King
Phra's e~ighty-four children. The old King
had the idea that the integrity OF his king
don depended upon keeping out Europeans.
but in spite Of that fact he recognized the
advantages OF western education and in
1867. against his own feelings and on the
grounds Of expedienoy. he decided to en-
gage an English tutor for his family.
SO he wrote 10 an English governess.
Mrs. Leonowen, and asked her to come
and teach English and literature. but not
to preach the Christian religion. She
came, and the young Prince who later be-
came King wal her f~avorite pupil. He
learned English and French quickly and
made rapid progress in the six years she
spent with him. but at the end OF that time
she rebelled at the old Kings temper and
gave up her job in 1888. a few months be-
fore the old King died.
When Chulalongkorn assembled the Golden
Throne he was only is, and he ruled under a
regency until 1873, when, according to STA
mese law. he was Renowned n assumed
authority. At that time the work Of ruling
was divided between two Kings. Chula-
longkorn had two-thirds Of the power and
the second King. who was maintained
mostly fer show. did the rest Of the work.
Chulalongkorn did not like that arrange
ment and he and the second King had a row
The second King fed to he British Consul
late for protection and that was the end Of
his power. When the second King died in
1887 Chulalongkorn abolished the Office Of
subordinate ruler and Siam will never have
any more difficulties on hat score.
The kingship 10 now hereditary and the
King is an absolute monarch. but he has a
cabinet council Of ak royal princes and
thirteen ministers Of state. Az soon as
C~hulalongkorn gained this absolute power
he began to introduce western ideas into his
Kingdom.
First he issued a decree making the
Crown Prince heir to the throne. Then he
introduced railways and built a navy. He
saw uls Hei4uDOT Oh Jlo Wcbt, DuTruH0, TAU
before the British, and took steps to save
his own kingdom by playing one Power
against another, In that way he stopped
encroachments and the integrity Of his do
main was guaranteed. His navy has more
than twenty vessels. and for HIS own use
is a royal yacht Of 5000 IONS register. which
carries rapid fire guns.
During his reign. which has been peace
full and prosperous, he has instituted many
reforms He has abolished slavery. done
away with burdensome internal taxes.
opened up canals for irrigation and trans
portation, established Geographic COM
m~unication with China and postal facilities
erected lighthouses and buoys. charted
~navigable streams. improved the judicial
system. proclaimed religious liberty. built
hospitals and an art museum M reor-
ganized the army.
The King is a hard worker. as a sketch OF
q days routine will show. He Eets up at
S and breakfast is served by members of
the harem In the gardens. Twelve women
knssl before him and present silver trays