New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-06

A few weeks ago Siam was the only inde-
pendent country in the Orient which had re-
manned neutral. To-day she is at war with
Germany and Austria-Hungary. She is the
seventeenth nation which has joined the AL
| lies in name or in arm, and her entrance into
the war not only means the addition OF
new ally, but also sounds the death knelI OF
German influence in the Far East.
Those who are not informed of the Far
Eastern situation and the German influence
there are apt to underestimate the lmpor-
lance of Slams participation in the war
When the Siamese action is viewed judi
ciously, however, it carries with it consider
able weight.
German Intrigue in the East Ended
One thing that stands out as proof OF
the Importance that is attached to Slams
declaration of war is the complete ousting
Of Teutonic influence and Teutonic intrigue
in the Far East, For evident reasons Japan
was the first Asiatic nation to take up arms
against Germany. The capture Of hiao-
chau, the German stronghold in China, has
certainly inflicted a deadly blow at Ger
many's imperial ambition, and, in TACT, this
military incident in the Far East has con-
tributed much more to the cause of the En-
tente Allies than all Japan's activities along
other lines put together. With the severance
of diplomatic relations between China and
Germany, which led to the seizure of Ger
man vessels in Chinese waters, TO the
axnulsion or internment of German plotters
in China, Germany was still further limited
in her sinister activities. Now the last
refuge in the Orient where Germany had
hitherto maintained strong influence and
where she could carry on her international
intrigue with ease is denied to the Germans
There is no doubt that the German agents
in the Far East were at work to bring about
dissatisfaction among the Chinese people,
rebellion among the Hindus, and, if possible,
to put an end to the friendly relations ex-
listing between the Oriental nations and the
United States The Germans IN the orient
after Japan had Joined the war, were clever
enough to establish in Siam and in emma
centres of intrigue, sending out secret
agents to India to agitate against the BTU
isb and TO Indo-China to conspire against
the French. Plots of this sort have been
unearthed again and again in this country
as well as in China. Because Of the exist
ence of German extraordinarily In emma
and in Siam German agents were protected
and shielded.
Great Britain and France should there
fore feel particularly grateful to Siam for
the step which she has taken.
A Great Trade Annihilated
What is OF greater significance is the per-
manent loss Of German trade with Siam. II
"a En- he remembered that Siam is one OF the
snots in the Orient which the Kaiser has had
in mind for the future development OF Ger-
man trade. 1t is an admitted fact that Ter
,rorv had the ambition Of becoming the
leading commercial power in the world. Inc
Far East, China and Siam IN parlcu'al'
offers such golden field for German enter
urises that no German likes to see Germany
lose her trade there. In peace time the ex-
ports from Germany to Siam almost amount
ed to one-seventh of the total of Slams for
oign trade. Germans established special
steamer lines, running regularly between the
North German and the Far Eastern ports,
or thew managed to contract with the Nor
weeian lines on exceedingly favorable
terms. Supplies Of steel, iron, machinery
and dyestuff were generally imported from
Germany. The Samese have enjoyed using
German goods. The present war, however,
has cut out the entire German trade, and the
siamese, who have hitherto depended upon
Germany for supplies of this sort have to
fall back upon other sources. The longer
Germany is cut off from the Siamese market
the more the Siamese will become used to
the British, French and American goods. The
II longer the war continues the harder Ger
many will find it to recover her share OF
trade which she had enjoyed before. In
fact it is almost impossible for her to do
So Germany's Siamese market will be per-
manently lost.
! It must be borne clearly in mind that Ger
man militarism is largely based upon her
economic and commercial strength. Without
the latter it Is very much like house
built on the sand, subject to destruction at
any time. In order to crush German mill
tarism 1t is equally necessary to destroy the
potent power that is behind it. Any nation,