Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1920-08-12

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 an absolute monarchy; pos
sfbly the most absolute monarchy in existence
today. Rama vi holds in the palm of his hand
pot only the property and possessions Of his
100000 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 so prosperous, the taxes
are so low. the advantages SO numerous that
those living in COchin-China on 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.
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 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 one 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
II 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 to be one of the greatest of deprivations"
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 q suit
able mate among the women of America he viii
but cement the long friendship between the land
of the "free" of Asia and that other land Or the
Stree" of America.
Many years ago a Samese monarch found him.
self among a people without woman Of high
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-sster
of his majesty. Maha Chulalongkorn. Her sons
therefore. eligible to kingshp 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 a
long time in Russia where he was captain of the
guard to the car 1t was but natural that he
follow in the footsteps of many of the other men,
bers of the nobility and the royal family of the
Samese court and marry foreigner. His choice
was n Russian lady. not Of royal birth, hut of
good lineage. who became Princess Catherine of
the Si"mese court The new princess was n vi
vacious young woman, handsome. clever, good
lnguist and an al-around wife worthy Of the bril-
liant man she had captured.
She was quick to pick up the Siamese tongue