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

inione Oh MS mdJtsty, mho
Vajiravudh, Phra Mongku
Klao. king OF Siam. which hay'
just been completed, set another mile
stone In the rapid march which Sian
Is making, and which has astonishet
the nations OF the world. The fac
that the great powers sent members
Of their royal families to represent
them at the coronation is an evidence
OF the interest and respect which they
have for Siam.
Unostentatiously, without upheaval
but with amazing speed. the Siamese
picked up the progressive Ideas and
Inventions OF the western powers. and
today foreigner who journeys to
Bangkok. the capital OF the nation.
viii find there railways, street cars,
large electric light and gas plants. tel
ephone service. In fact all of the best
features OF modern civilization.
"The new monarch, who has ascend
ed the throne under the most favor
able circumstances. takes up his reign
In the year 1870, according to the reck-
oling OF the Slamese, who reckon
the years from the establishment of
the national capital of Bangkok.
Their New Years day falls on April
OF the Gregorian calendar. Among
the special ambassadors sent to Siam
for the coronation were: His serene
highness Prince Alexander of Teck,
and his suite, representing Great Brit
ain: his imperial highness the Grand
Duke Boris and suite. Russia his
royal highness Prince Waldemar and
his three sons. Denmark; his royal
highness Prince William, duke of Sud-
der Mamie, and suite. Sweden; his
highness Prince Fuhimi and suite,
Japan. and his royal hIghness Prince
Nicholas. Greece.
Much OF the credit for the rapid
OF Siam is due to the
late king, Chulalongkorn, Phra Chula
Chom Kloa, who was man of much
ability and who took the lead in the
adoption of the best features Of the
western civilization. One matter
which his late majesty insisted upon
was tho education Of the people Of
Siam, and the new monarch is pro
ceedng along the same line. In con-
sequence system OF public schools
has been established throughout the |
kingdom and is maintained on a high |
plane.
The late king sent his son. who Is
now on the throne. to England. where
ne went through the military academy
It Sandhurst and was attached for
wo years to an English regiment. He
hen studied at Christ's college, Ok
ord. For many years It has been the
,ractice OF Siam to send 80 or 40
'oung men TO European countries
md to the United States to be
AS fast as they receive
N education they are recalled to
liam and their places filled by others.
1pon these men Is falling large
hare OF the work In undermining the
ipgdom according to western ideas.
The government OF Slam is be-
evolent despotism. The steps which
ave been taken for the benefit OF the
eopie and for the development OF the
ountry have all originated with the
Ing and the nobility. The various
apartments OF the government. such
) the foreign office. the department {
( the interior. the war department
ne department of justice. are intrust 1
( TO members OF the ministry, who I
re selected by the king with great s
are
While Siam Is properly called des- |
otism and the authority of the king 4
absolute and is handed down from I
,ther to son liz the royal family. the q
nusual social system OF Siam may
} said TO be all born free and equal.
18th the exception OF the members OF
10 royal family, There is. to be sure, /
Ie nobility. But no man Ia born a 7
,bleman No title descends from {
ther to son. except In the royal I
mily. The son of a nobleman must {
owe himself worthy OF nobility be- r
re he attains that rank. And no. I
lily Is won only because OF merit \
Id OF good work performed. In the I
Sc OF tho brothers of the king their i
ms do net receive the same title as q
cir fathers, but are one degree lower !
rank. and their sons. In turn. are =
10 degree lower In rank than their /,
theirs. unless by merit they may b
tain the higher rank. Thus the de- n
endants Of the royal princes may v
become the same as the
st Of the people. There are Ave
nks OF nobility
The population OF Slam has been
a, about 100000. and the n
ca OF the country Il about tia same d