The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1920-09-11

looked over twenty of the states of the Union:
He is the only eastern monarch with western
education-the most democratic despOt in the
world. For Siam is absolute monarchy; pos.
siby the most absolute monarchy in existence
today. Rama VI holds in the palm of his hand
not only the property and possessions Of his
9.OOOOOO subjects but their very lives. A few
years ago. when China In the throes of not
one. but Of several revolutions and had declared
two republics" the spirit of unrest started to
trickle down into little Siam, but stopped at the
border Siam is called the kingdom of "Muang
Thai" ("the People of the Free"), and nothing
could enter that paradise to disturb that "free-
dom" The country is so prosperous, the taxes
So low. the advantages numerous that
those living in Cochin-China on the east and IN
Burma IN the west clamOring to get over the
Siamese fence to become partakers of the plenty
that awaits all who make their home in this en-
chanted land.
A ruler who is so wise and good, so gener.
Gus and so far-sighted, is capable of performing
many modern miracles He is but forty years OF
age and has been on the throne ten years. His
father ruled for forty-two; his grandfather was
hale and hearty at sixty-three. With his consti-
tuition Of iron and his well known temperance in
oil things nothing but an untoward accident should
deprive Siam of her democratic ruler and the
world OF one of the progressyes of the age.
Over a half century ago King Mongkut had in
his palace what he called his american ROOM"
Around the walls were paintings of every presi-
dent of the United States. Often he has been
heard to say:
81 am planning my country on the customs
and the laws of America"
His son, the late King Chualongkorn, sent his
sou to the White House in Washington for visit
"that has been denied me, and which I con-
slider to be one Of the greatest of deprivations.'
Ever since Siam was opened to the West
America has been foremost in the minds and the
af tI,n fYln And in htS hnSf
Judgment this eastern monarch shall find suit
able ma among the of America he will
but cement the long friendship between the land
Of the free of Asia and that other land of the
free of America
MANY years ago Il Siamese monarch found him.
self among a people without woman of high
enough rank for him TO make his queen SO he
married his own sister. Since that time the Gus
tom has prevailed that the ruling monarch must
marry at least one Of his half-sisters, for the
heir must be possessed of royal blood both
sides. The late queen mother the half-sister
OF his ma esty Malla Chualongkorn. Her sons
therefore were eligible to kingship The late prince
was the next in age to the king. and i'm every
way was the rightful heir to the throne. Educated
IN England and France and having lived for a
long time in Russia. where he was captain of the
guard to the car 1t was but natural that he
follow In the footsteps of many of the other men,
hers of the nobility and the royal family of the
Samese court and marry foreigner. His choice
was Russian lady. not of royal birth, but Of
GOOD lineage who became Princess Catherine of
the Si"mese court The new princess was vi
vicious young woman handsome. clever a good
ling,list and an alarourl wife worthy Of the brit
liant man she had capt, red
She was quick 70 pic: up the siamese tongue