Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1912-03-15

60 thRb vi Ito oAauCoC 81 '
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.
Tho capital, Bangkok, Is handsome
city Of some 100000 inhabitants. The
street cars, the street lighting, tele-
phone system and modern sanitation
all give the impression Of 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 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 Siamese
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 a !
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 $650000 from his civil |
list for the benefit Of the govern
ment.s
The Siamese are a peaceable people.
but they are also intensely patriotic.
The army system there is very similar
70 that of Germany, and each young
nan is compelled to serve his three
Years in the standing army and then
enter the reserves. None OF the
5iamese shirks this duty. A splendid
standing army of 10000 men is main
aimed. we'll equipped and we'll drill
ID. and should be able to give a good
account of itself.
AS an evidence of the consideration
which the English and other foreign
RS have for the Siamese extraterri-
orial courts, such as are maintained
n China and other far eastern coun-
ries. are not maintained there. When
British subject commits an offense
n Siam he is tried In Siamese court
nd under the laws of that land Not (
foreign soldier is maintained in !
lam by any of the nations as guard
Or the legation there, but the pro-
ection of the European representa-
ives is left entirely to the Siam {
Sc police.
The railroads in Slam are owned by :
he government. with the exception OF
few short spurs. The government S
as found these roads a good invest /
lent. paying about seven per cent '
lam Is remarkably free from public +
ebt. owing only about $4,000, 900, v
lost of which was borrowed to con- u
.ruct railroads and other public i'm u
royements. b
Siam is primarily an agricultural v
,untry. and among her principal ex- e
orts are rice, tea and hides. There a
q rich mineral resources in the s
,untry. many of which have not yet
zen developed. including oil, tin I,
I'd gold. The country has stable Ii
onetary system based on gold h
sndard. b
The quality OF labor is very linn II
I'd in siam. and. in fact. many Chi 81
'se lsborers are employed in the rice q
lids and other industries. There is n
emigration from Siam. a,