The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1920-09-18

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
sbly the most absolute monarchy in existence
today. Rama vi holds in the palm of his hand
not only the property and possessions of his
9OOO,0OO subjects. but their very lives few
years ago, when China was 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 prosperous the taxes
are 50 low. the advantages are so numerous that
those living in Cochin China the east and in
Burma III the west clamOrng 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'
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 ut SiXty-three. With his cOnsti-
tuition of iron and his we'll 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 were paintings of every presi-
dent Of the United States. Often he has been
heard to say:
Il am planning my own 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 visit
that has been denied me, and which l con-
slider 70 be one Of the greatest of deprvations.
Ever since Siam was opened to the West
America has been foremost in the minds and the
hearts of the Siamese 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
Stree" Of America.
Many years ago Siamese monarch found him
self among a people without a 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 of his half-ssters for the
hei. must be possessed of royal blood both
sides. The late queen mother was the half-sster
of his majesty, Maha Chulalongkorn. Her sons.
therefore were eligible to kingshp. The late prince
was the next in age to the king. and. in every
way was the rightfu heir to the throne. Educated
in England and France and having lived for
long time In Russia where he was captain of the
guard to the czar, 1t but natural that he
follow IN the footsteps OF many, of the other
bers nf the nobility and the royal family of the
Siamese court. and marry foreigner. His choice
was Russian lady, not of royal birth, but of
good lineage, who became Princess Catherine OF
the Si"rnese court. The new princess was vi
vicious young woman. handsome clever. a good
lippust and an all-around wife worthy Of the brit
liant man she had captured.
She was quick to pic. up the Siamese tongue