Polk County news. [volume] (Benton, Tenn.) 191?-1983, 1920-08-12

Cooked over" twenty or the states of the Union
He is the only eastern monarch with a western
education-the most democratic despot in the
world. For Siam is an absolute monarchy; pos
sibly the most absolute monarchy in existence
today. Rama VI holds in the palm Of his hand
not only the property and possessions of his
100000 subjects but their very lives. 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
TICKLE 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 prosperous, the taxes
so low, the advantages are 50 numerous that
those living in Cochn-C 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 so wise and so good gener'
and 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
hale and hearty at slxty-three. With his const-
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 of the progressves Of the age
Over half century ago King MoAgkut had in
his palace what he called his american ROOM"
Around the walls were paintings OF every pFeSl-
dent of the United States, Often he has been
heard to say:
II am planning my country the customs
and the laws of America"
His son. the late King Chualongkorn, sent his
son to the White House in Washington for visit
"that has been denied me, and which | con-
slider to be one of the greatest of deprvations."
Ever since Siam opened to the West
America has been foremost in the minds and the
hearts of the Siamesa rulers. And if in 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 n Siamcse monarch found him
self among people without n 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 haf-sisters, for the
heir must be possessed of royal blood on both
sides The late queen mother was the halfsiser
of his majesty, Maha 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 rghtful 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 10 the car, II but natural that he
follow in the footsteps of many of the other men,
bers of the nobility and the royal family of the
Slamese court, and marry foreigner. His choice
was a Russian lady, not of royal birth, but of
good lineage, who became Princess Catherine of
the SIamese court The new princess was vi
vacious young woman, handsome, clever, a good
ngulst and an a-around wife worthy Of the brill
liant man she had captured.
She was quick to pick UP the Samese tongue