Cheyenne record., 1920-08-12

looked over twenty Of the states OF the Union
He Is the only eastern monarch with a Western
educaliOn--the most democratic despOt In the
world. For Siam is an absolute monarchy; pos
sibIy the ipost absolute monarchy in existence
today. Rama vi holds in the palm Of his hand
not only the property and possessions or mis-
9.OO.WO subjects. but their very lives. A Few
years ago when China was In the thrOes OF rot
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
Thni" (''the People of the Free). ana nothing
could enter that paradise to disturb that 'free-
DOM" The country is prosperous. the taxes
SO low. the advantages are so numerous that
those living in Cochin China on the east and in
Burma 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 wise and good. so gener
and fur-sglted. is capable Of performing
many modern miracles He Is but forty years OF
age and has been the throne ten years. His
father ruled for forty-twO; his grandfather was
hale aud hearty at sixty-three. With his cOnsti-
tuition Of iron and his well known temperance in
all things nothing but an 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 "Amercan room"
Around the walls were paintings of every presi-
dent Of the United States. Often he has been
heard to say:
~ am planning my country on the customs
and the laws OF America.
His son. the late King ChulalongkOrn. sent his
son to the White House In Washington for a visit
that has been denied me. and which l
slider be one of the greatest Of deprivatOns
Ever since Siam opened to the West
America has been foremost In the minds and the
hearts of the Samese rulers And II la his best
Judgment this eastern monarch shall find suit
able mate among the women 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 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
rom has prevailed that the ruling monarch must
marry at least one Of his halfsisters. for the
heir must be possessed Of royal blood on both
Sides The late queen mother was the haf-sister
Of his majesty. Maha CtuIalongkorn Her sons,
therefore, were eligible to kngshp 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
Nus time in Russia. where he was captain Of the
guard to the car. II 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
Siamese court. and marry foreigner. His choice
was q Russian lady. not Of royal birth. but Of
rood lineage. who became Princess Catherine OF
the Si-mese court. The new princess was VI
vscious young woman. handsome. clever. good
unxuI.t and nm aii-around wife worthy Of the bril-
liant man she had captured.
che was quick pick mp the Sismese tongue