The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-11-14
Missionary Watches Siam
Become Modern Country
Bus Lines, Air Mail Follow
Church's Message, City
Couple Finds.

EOpuldT lllpISSolo11S u AAoAi e'N
land of impenetrable jungles re-
ceived a rude shock when DR.. Edwin
Charles Cort, superintendent OF the
Mccormick hospital at Chiengami
Siam, supported by the Tabernacle
PRESBYTERIAN church of Indianapolis
returned here WITH Mrs. Cort for a
visit this week and described the
march of progress in the little
known far-eastern monarchy.
Nineteen years ago when first
went up to Chiengmar said the
missionary physician, cit took us
seven weeks to traverse the 600
mile distance from Bangkok. The
other day I came out in a comfort
able express train in twenty-six
hours"
Siam Is Progressive
Chiengmai, where DR.. Cort has
been for nineteen years, twelve
years under the support Of the local
church, is Slams second city y
Bangkok is the metropolis with a
population of nearly 100000.
Chiengami has 10000 persons within
it's limits and 100000 within a rs
mile radius.
"Siam," said DR.. Cort, "is the most
progressive country in Asia. 1t had
the first electric car and the first
automobile in Asia, and for three
years now has had air mail in four
provinces. In territory, it is about
equal to the New England States
plus New York, Pennsylvania and
Ohio.
America Is Liked
Five motor bus lines radiate from
Chiengmai, for twenty or twenty
five miles into the country, on fine
macadamized roads.
High officials of Siam acknowl-
edge that modern medicine and
surgery were introduced into the
country by American missions and
for long time maintained solely by
them. SiameSe, therefore, are
friendly toward us and cherish a
high record for America and
Americans.
Under the rule of King Pracha-
tipoke, who assembled the throne a
year and half ago, Siam has an
orderly government. Other coIn-
tries have surrendered their extra
territorial rights in SIAM"
Decorated by King
DR.. Cort said the king was edu-
Gated in England and the queen in
France. The physician and two
others dined with the royal pair a
year ago and were decorated for
their services.
smallpox has been abolished in
Siam by extensive vaccination, Spon-
sored by missions" said DR.. Cort.
Malaria is our greatest foe. Slams
climate is comparable to that in
Southern Mexico, and the vast rice
fields. have to be flooded frequently,
making the fight against malaria
difficult. Without the floods there
would be no rice, and without rice
the Siamese would Starve.
Honored by Church
DR.. and Mrs. Cort are the guests
Of the Rev. j. Ambrose Dunkel,
pastor of Tabernacle Presbyterian
Church. Mrs. Cort addressed the
midweek service at the church. A
WELCOME home dinner" is to be
served at $50 p. m. tonight for DR.
and Mrs. Cort. Sunday they will
address Sunday school departments
and speak at the church services.
Mrs. Corb will address Bethany
class dinner Monday and both DR..
and Mrs. Cort will conduct a praise
meeting Tuesday night. DR.. Cort
will speak at First Presbyterian
Church next Thursday.
After their visit here, DR.. and Mrs.
Cort will make an extensive tour of
the east under the direction of the
Presbyterian board of foreign mis-
sions. They are on a years fur
Tough.