New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-06
Siam and the War
Blu G. Fay Wood

.b.refore which helps defeat Germany eco
ron,icauv and commercially helps defeat
Germany militarily Siamese belligerency
is nothing as far as actual fighting is con-
cerued. Siamese belligerency is everything
when we take into consideration that Siam
is really helping the Allies in defeating Ter
MANY and in crushing German miiitarism'
Its significance cannot be seen at once. IL
is post-bellum. That is to say, as her par
ticipation in the war is meant essentialy
to uproot Germany's commercial DOMINATION
in the Far East, it will be much better APP
preciated by the Allies and the world at
large when the war is over and when inter-
national commerce is resumed.
Another point which must not be los.
sight Of is that, because of the geographical
situation, Slams entrance into the war must
necessarily have a great effect upon China
ultimate attitude toward the Central powers
China severed diplomatic relations with Ger
many long ago. Owing to her internal
troubles and owing TO the outside influences
which made her hesitate to act, China has
not as yet taken side with the Allies or
with the United States. The declaration OF
war upon the Central powers by Siam Will
undoubtedly help the Chinese government
and the Chinese people, first, to realize the
need of domestic harmony in face OF for
eign foe and, secondly, TO understand that
China has every reason TO take the same
action. National expediency demands 1T;
moral pressure calls for it. China has
greater grievances against Germany than
Siam has; and if war is not to be taken as
a means Of revenge, it nevertheless affords
China the rare opportunity to assert her
rights as an Independent nation which Ger
many has so many times abused. The war
issue, then, which was seized upon by the
political parties for political purposes, may
serve TO unite the dscordant elements for a
common cause. Action by Siam should at
least drive home to the mind of the Chinese
people the need of internal harmony which
is absolutely necessary before there can be
decided foreign policy for China.
| Unity of the Far East
: Lastly, it must not be overlooked that
Slams action has a direct bearing upon her
own status as an Independent nation and
her relation with others. Undoubtedly she
will be recognized among the family Of ma
tons as she ought to be; and at the same
time a Siamese declaration of war also
means long step toward the unity and con-
! solidaton of the Far Eastern countries
themselves. Japan has been at war with
the Central powers; China has severed dip
lomatc relations with Germany. Now Siam
has taken the same step as Japan, and gone
further than China. This concerted action
typifes the identical interest which they
nave. To be sure, one country harbors
greater ambition than the others, but the
fact that they have taken the same stand
| against the aggressor against the rights of
small nations is sufficient to indicate that
they are one in object.
Slams action has unavoidably allied her
to the Entente; it has also put her into a
cooperative position with her two big neigh
bors, China and Japan. As the Latin-Amer-
lean republics have buried much of their old
differences and come together for a united
front because of the war; these Oriental ma
tions, China, Japan and Siam, will also come
together for a common cause. They will
be brought to better understanding of each
other and the peace in the Far East, which
has been hitherto but mere talk, may be
translated into a fact. 1t is certainly one Of
the encouraging signs OF the war.
Prussian Arrogance in Siam
1t is not difficult to understand why Siam
has entered the war. "The object of Slams
declaration is to uphold the sanctity of in
ternational rights against nations showing
contempt for the principles of humanity and
no respect for small states" The Siamese
have no love for Germany. In fact, because
of the arrogant attitude and high-handed
treatment which they received at German
hands they have entertained an everlasting
grudge against Germany. Years ago tho
wife Of the German Minister to Siam wa;
asked by the police not TO pluck flowers in
the public gardens in Bangkok. The Ger
man Minister naturally took it as a great
insult that small nation dared to regulate
the conduct of his wife and demanded due
apology The Siamese government did apollo
gize, but the incident was never forgotten.
In 1909 a Siamese steamship company was
organized which established a regular SER
vice between Bangkok, Hong Kong and
southern China ports, to compete with the
North German Lloyd Oriental line. Again,
when Germany was approached for the re-
linquishment Of SYSTEMATICALLY she
fatty refused to do so. All these incidents
are trifing enough, but the Siamese have
long memories. Germany is reaping the har-
vest which she had sown.