New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-09-25
HYGIENE SIAM
IS PRINCES AIM
Kings Brother Comes to
Study Science of Pro-
tecting Health.
SEEKS FRIENDSHIP
OF UNITED STATES
Farm Implements and
Sympathy Desired by
Buddhist Kingdom.

Gloucester. Mass. Sept "a The
Kingdom Of Sism. which through oe-
casional bouts with its neighbors in
the southeast corner Of Asia long has
maintained its right 70 he known as
"The Country Of the Tai" the Free.
now seeks new independence that
founded upon hygienic living.
For aid in freeing itself from the
diseases Of the tropics Siam tur' to
the New World. This is the mission TO
the United States Of Mahildo. Prince Of
Sonkla. brother Of Vajirayudh, King Of
Siam % the North and South. SOW
creign Of the Laos and Malays. who has
arrived in this country and taken tenn
porsry residence here
In a few days the prince will begin
course leading TO a certificate IN pub +
lie health and embracing studies a.
Harvard University and the Msssachu-
setts Institute OF Technology. Just now
the sixth son Of his late majesty Chuls- .
longkorn is stopping with his suite at
a cottage at Bass Rocks, where he .
talked with youthful frsnkness IL .
twenty-four years 81 sge-of his plans .
and ambitions. The prince is quite
democratic. and said this was in keep I
ing with the spirit Of Siam. which
while in theory an absolute autocracy, J.
AsfsH alFH ~. A
some constitutional monarchies. siam
has no written constitution. The Kings h
word ia the law.
Wants To BE Useful.
81 am not likely 20 reach the throne.
but that does not worry me- he said,
by way Of introduction. Ny ambition
3 20 lead a life Of usefulness. ! could
live comfortably and honored as his
maiesty's brother. but | think ~ is very
silly that / should be honored simply
because 7 happen 90 be who ] am. II
I am 10 he honorcd | wish II 70 be be- .
cause I have earned my honors.
During ten years OF study IN Eng .
land and Germany the prince pom /
dered on how he could best serve his .
country. and finally decided that tho .
people Of Siam needed more than any ,
thing else an enlightened application .
Of the laws OF hygiene. America,
where could DO experienced a vide
range Of climatic conditions, along ~itt
is higher institutions Of learning. az
forded him opportunities. he thought
the equal OF which could be found 10
no other country.
81 am n lieutenant in the navy. now
on reserve. but saving life Is more 10 .
my taste than taking u. believe IN .
an Efficient army and navy, sufficient
only for defensive purposes, and beyond .
that | prefer 20 see the public money
invested in public works. ] would .
rather build hospitals than warships. |
have chosen the study Of hygiene be- .
cause think II will give me the widest .
opportunity TO be useful
Drainage Problem Overcome.
Drainage has been a serious problem
In Siam because Of the level character
Of the lower districts. where. near the
mouth OF the River Nenam Chao Phya.
stands the beautiful capital Of Bang
kok. with its population Of more than
half a million. In Lower Siam the riv
ers and intersecting canals have been
the chief sewers and flushed b. the
rise and fall Of the tides.
The King. who as the Crown Prince
visited the United States before his
coronation, IN 1910, has worked out
pure water supply and drainage sys-
TEN. The killing of cattle for food Is
done under strict supervision at gov
eminent abattoirs and other safeguards
against cpidemics have been taken.
However, in recent years" said the
prince. 1.-THE plague has been brought
into Siam by Chinese. while cholera.
beri-beri and other tropical and com
munlcable diseases are altogether too
common. The infant mortality IL dis
tressingly great. Perhaps in fifty years
there will be a healthy Siam
The prince has advanced ideas on the
subject Of social problems. He j. par
ticularly interested in the relation Of
the use Of alcohol 70 disease. In Siam
the manufacture and sale of spirits is
a state monopoly and the national
drink, rice liquor. may not contain more
than 80 per cent alcohol. He would
further restrict the use of intoxloants,
and in this reform he would begin
among the noblemen.
81 came here" continued the prince,
both because | believe ! can learn
most here and because we need Ameri-
can sympathy and help. We wish
Americans to pay little attention TO
Siam. We want to trade with you, par
ticularly to get your agricultural I'M
Elements. and we want you to take an .
interest IN u.s.
Welcome Missionaries.
King Vaiiravudh is the only inde-
pendent Buddhist sovereign in the /
world, and as such is regarded as the /
chief champion of the religion Of the p
Ruddha Nevertheless. no foreigners .
are more welcome to Siam than Amer
lean missionaries, according 20 the .
prince.
"They have done wonderful things .
for Us. They come not to make money, +
but to spend il. They do not quarrel .
over the manner in which the sacra-
ment shall be administered. They F.
teach. they minister 70 the sick. they
build hospitals and schools. The work .
Of the missionaries from America Is .
constructive. They submit cheerfully /
to our laws. They do not interfere in .
our politics"
Yellow Fever Commission Returns.