Evening star., 1924-07-06

equipped with sleeping quarters, on
which he could pursue his investiga-
tions. In his launch and also by
means of the railroads and coastwise
steamers he has travelled extensively
from the Shan states in the north to
try. adjoining the Malay states.
Everywhere he went, he says, he met
with interesting experiences and de-
lightful treatment.
Officials Highly Trained.
Siam. the official name of which.
translated. means land Of the free"
is a prosperous and progressive king
dom, explains DR.. Smith, and enjoys
form of government which, although
an absolute monarchy. is a benevolent
one. The rulers of the present dy-
nasty have been noted for their in
tellectual attainments and for their
zeal in promoting the welfare Of their
people. One of the keenest pleasures
that have come in Siam to this former
American official, and one Of the COM
pen&ations for a protracted absence
from his beloved country, is the abil-
ity to act without having to run the
gantlet of committees and houses
of Congress, and the possibility of
securing for meritorious measures i'm
mediate governmental approval and
authority.
Those intrusted with governmental
responsibility are highly intelligent
DOuy OF men, educated mostly at
either English or American univer-
sites. For many years the govern
ment has made it a practice to obtain
the services of foreign specialists and
experts in various lines to supervise
governmental activities. Co-operat-
ing with these heads are many former
students trained in Europe and Amer
lea, so that there is being developed
a trained body of Siamese. both men
and women, fully capable of assuming
ripe for them to do so.
Many Foreign Advisers.
There are at present foreign ad-
visers on agriculture, comerce. judi
cial affairs public health, finance.
military and naval affairs and now on
fisheries, with foreign technical as
sistants in other branches. Most of
this corps are British, with a sprink-
ling of many other nationalities.
Smith is one and DR.. Francis Bowes
Sayre, son-in-law of the late Presi-
dent Wilson, is another he being ad-
wiser on foreign affairs.
The two greatest Industries of the
country are the cultivation of rice
and the catching of fish. Siam is in
the forefront of rice growing coun-
tries. Its yield last season was ap-
proximately 100000 tons. and it ex-
ports large quantities. A remark
able example of how vegetable can
adapt itself to unfavorable conditions
is found in a variety of rice which
grows in a district north of Bangkok
subjected annually to sudden and
heavy floods. Rice to thrive must
keep the tip of its stalk, with the
blossom above water, and this par
ticu!Nr rice must sometimes grow ten
or twelve inches daily to Offset the
rising food. AS the result of long
training it does it. however. and its
stalks sometimes reach height of
six to seven meters.
Begin Conservation Work.
Siam abounds in fish. says DR..
Smith. and tens of thousands are en-
gagged in the fisheries industries This
is in spite of the fact that there has
been active and inCessant fishing for
centuries with no protection. Lately,
however. signs of diminution of sup
ply have been apparent. but il is be-
heved that with proper regulative
and protective measures the supply
may be brought back to normal 1t is
int>resting to know that thousand
years before Columbus sailed for the
western world. Siam was exporting
certain fish products. such tortoise
she'll and other non-periShable sub
stances to Europe.
The most valuable Of the salt water
fishes is small mackerel. which is