The Dolores star., 1920-08-13

tucked over" twenty Of the states ut the Union.
He is the only eastern monarch with western
educariOn-tle most democratic deSpot In the
world. For Siam is an absolute monarchy: pos.
Sby the most absolute monarchy in existence
today. Rama VI holds IN the palm Of his hand
nos only the properly and possessions of his
9HDHN subjects. but their very lives. A few
years ago. when China in the throes of rot
one. but of several revolutions. and had declared
two ..repuhlics," the spirit of started to
tricke down into little Siam but stopped AT the
border. siam is called the kingdom of "Nlunng
Thai ("the People Of the Free'D. and nothing
could enter that paradise TO disturb that free
dom" The country is prosperous. the taxes
50 low. the advantages are SO numerous that
those living in CoChin-C China on the east and in
Burma on the west are clnm0ring to get over the
Siamese fence to become partakers of the plenty
that awaits all who make their home in this
chantad land
ruler who is so wise and 50 good. 30 gener.
and far-Si.Ited 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
hale and hearty at Sixty-rhree. With lis consii-
tuition of iron and his well known temperance in
all things nothing but untoward accident should
deprive Siam of her democratic ruler and the
world Of one of the progressiveS of the age
Over a half century ago King Mongkut had in
his palace what he called his American room"
Around the walls paintings of every prcsi-
dent of The United States. Often he has been
heard to say:
81 am planning my own country on the customs
and tire laws of America"
His SON. the late King Chulaongkorn sent his
son to the White House in Washington for u visit
that has been denied me and which CON
slider to be of the greatest Of deprvations"
Ever since Siam opened the West
America has been foremost in the minds md the
hearts of the Siamese rulers. And If in his best
judgment this eastern monarch shall find Il suit.
able mate among the women of America he will
bu. cement the long friendship between the land
of the free" of Asia and that other land OF the
free" of America .'.
Many years ago a Siamese monarch found him
self among n people without woman of high
enough rank for him 10 make his queen. so he
married his sister. Since that time the Gus.
tom has prevailed that the ruling monarch must
marry at least sone of his haIf-sisters for the
heir must be possessed of royal blood on both
sides. The late queen mother was the halfsister
of his ajesty AIala Chulaongkorn Her sons
therefore were eligible to kingship. The late prince
was the next in age to the king and. In every
way was the rightful heir to the throne Educated
in England and France and having lived for n
long time in Russia where he was captain of the
guard to thp car It bur natural that he
follow in tive footsteps of many of the other mem.
hers of the nobility and the roynl family Of the
Samese court and marry foreigner. His choice
was Russian lady not Of royal birth. hut OF
good Lineage. who became Princess Catherine OF
the S"mese court The princess was n vi
vacious young woman. handsome clever n good
Iingriist and an a-around wife worthy of the bril-.
liant man she had captured
She quick TO pick up the Siamese tongue