The Holbrook news., 1912-04-12

a different race from either the Chi nese or the Japanese. Their straight black hair and dark eyes give the Siamese some resemblance to the Jap anese, but their eyes are straight and the general expression of the Siamese countenance is more that of Euro pean.
 The capital, Bangkok, is a handsome city of some 100000 inhabitants. The street cars, the street lighting, tele- phone system and modern sanitation all give the impression of a modern western city. The style of architec- ture is being more and more modelled after the western style and particu- larly the Italian. Their houses are many of them similar to the detached houses which are found in the sub urbs of cities in this country. The dress adopted by the people is west ern to a great extent also. In the public schools the only foreign Ian guage taught Is English, which Is the commercial language of the far east. Although the religion of the SiamesO is Buddhism, the government makes no objection to such foreign missions as are established in Siam, particu- larly because many of the schools established by the missions teach English. The late king, just before he died, requested his son not to spend large sums of money upon great funeral for him, but to spend such money as he desired to devote to the memory of his father for the ben eft of charitable institutions. The present king has voluntarily sur rendered about $650.00o from his civil list for the benefit of the govern ment
 The siamese are a peaceable people. but they are also intensely patriotic. The army system there is very similar to that of Germany, and each young man ia compelled to serve his three years in the standing army and then enter the reserves None of the Siamese shirks this duty. A splendid standing army of S0,000 men is main tained, well equipped and well drill ed, and should be able to give a good account of itself.
 As an evidence of the consideration which the English and other foreign CTS have for the Siamese extraterri- torial courts, such as are maintained in China and other far eastern coun- tries, are not maintained there. When a British subject commits an ofrensS in Siam he is tried in Siamese court and under the laws of that land. Not a foreign soldier is maintained in Siam by any of the nations as a guard for the legation there, but the pro tection of the European representa- tives Is left entirely to the Siam ese police.
 The railroads in Siam are owned by the government, with the exception of a few short spurs. The government has found these roads a good invest ment, paying about seven per cent Siam is remarkably free from public debt, owing only about 25,00O, 900, most of which was borrowed to con- struct railroads and other public im- provements.
 Siam is primarily an agricultural country, and among her principal ex- ports are rice, tea and hides. There are rich mineral resources in the country, many of which have not yet been developed, including oil, tin and gold. The country has staEle monetary system based on a gold standard.
 The quality of labor Is very linn ited in Siam, and, in fact, many Cai nese laborers are employed in tks rice fields and other industries. There is no emigration from Siam.