The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1920-08-19

looked over twenty of the states of the Union.
He is the only eastern monarch with western
educa tiOn-the most democratic deSpot in the
world. For Siam is 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. A 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
trfckle down into little Siam, but stopped at the
border. Siam is called the kingdom Of "Muang
Thai" ('the People of the Free'O, and nothing
could enter that paradise to disturb that free
DOM" The country is so prosperous the taxes
low the advantages numerous that
those living in Cochin China the east and in
Burma on the west are 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 so gener.
and far-sighted, 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
hale and hearty at sixty-three. With his consti-
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 Of the progressives of the age.
Over 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 Chulalong l1orn, sent his
to the White House in Washington for visit
that has been denied me, and which 1
slider to be of the greatest of deprivations'
Ever since Siam 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
free" of America
Many years ago Siamese monarch found him.
self among a people without woman of high
enough rank for him make his queen. So he
married his sister. Since that time the Gus
tom has prevailed that the ruling monarch must
marry at least of his half-sisters, for the
heir must be possessed of royal blood on both
Sides The late queen mother was the half-sister
of his majesty, Maha ChulalOngkorn Her sons
therefore eligible to kngship. The late prince
was the next in age to the king. and, in every
way, was the rghtfu heir TO the throne Educated
in England and France and having lived for a
guard to the car, It was but natural that he
follow in the footsteps OF many of the other mem
bers of the nobility and the royal family of the
Siannese 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 a vi
vacious young woman, handsome, clever, a good
Inguist and all-around wife worthy of the bril-
liant man she had captured
She was quick to pick up the Siamese tongue