Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-10-13
SIAM Halls KING,
BACK FROM u. S.
America Opened His Eyes,
Says Monarch as Bangkok
Roars Welcome.
ny ST. CLAIR McKELwAY.

by 81. CLA1n NCNEANA4s
Nv Cable to The Star and Herald Tribune.
BANGKOK, october 13-Up the
law tidewaters of the Menam Chao
playa, where speedboats vie with
sampans and junks, the Siamese royal
Yacht Mahachakri brought King Pra-
1adhipok and Queen Rambaibarni back
to the temple capital of their Kingdom
yesterday.
The sun came out for the first time
n, two weeks, ending the rainy season,
as the glistening gold prov OF the craft
nosed up at 4 o'clock to the royal iano-
ing, where soldiery and ofhclalS, re.
splendent in uniforms, were assembled
under a red and green lacquer pagooa.
II was a healthier and happier ruler
than the monarch who departed In
March who today told Prince Svasti,
his father-ir-law that "his eyes had
been opened, both figuratively ana
literally, by his American visit; that ne
had regained his eyesight. thanks 10
the skill of American medical science,
as we'll as practical ideas concerning
governmental, industrial ana scientinc
matters" The King added the kind
heartedness of Americans Of all classes
had made a lasting impression upon
himself and the Queen.
Not since the Kings father, Rama V.
returned in 1897 from a tour OF Eu-
rope, has Bangkok so completely given
itself up to hilarious celebration. When
a coronation is held in Siam the people
dance in the streets end MUSIC Is heard
in the far corners CT the kingdom. The
monarchs birthday festivities also
reach a magnitude undreamed OF IN
less happier nations. But when the
King goes forth into foreign lands and
returns to his people, the effect Is like
that of a coronation, birthday and
victorious war combined.
The King had ordered the govern
ment to spare the taxpayers as FAR as
possible in arranging the cf6c1al well
come and the edict was carried out to
some extent, but the citizenry were not
curbed in their enthusiasm in any way.
They decked river craft with figs and
flowers, tied down thsir whistles and
sirens, and padded or motored to the
river mouth to meet their rulers. Thcu-
sands lined the great asphalt avenue
leading from the landing to the Royal
Palace, waving flags and tossing flowers
and festoonS.
Miraculously, the thousands of chill
dren who customarily play in the
streets without clothing were gathered
up and dressed and srrayed along the
avenue. Every uniform in Sim was on
y
Girl Scouts to officers and men OF the
army and navy, and the streets teem1ng
with all the colors of the tropics under
the blazing sun, literally dazzled the eye.
Hour Set by Astrologers.
Members of the royal family, govern
rnent officials and foreign diplomats
and advisers were the first to greet their
naiesties as the royal yacht hove along
side the pier at the hour selected by the
royal astrologers as the most suspicious
moment for arrival.
The kingship spirit in this country is
perhaps the strongest in the world.
The first glimpse Of the slim, uniformed
figure en- deck brought tears to the
eyes of the court attendants, while the
princes and officials strained for bet
ter view of their majesties. For an in
terval, until the King was formally well
coined in a speech by the Prince Regent,
not a sound came from the great gath
ering all standing Stiffiy at attention.
Outside the circle of the royal guards,
gorgeously appareled, were thousands of
the royal subjects. some of whom had
been standing there since dawn, but no
sound came from them until the greet
ingS of his own family, which public
enthusiasm might never disturb, were
concluded. But when these greetings
were over and the King had spoken
graciously to each diplomat and cab
met officer and had left the landing to
step into his automobile, the pent-up
enthusiasm of the crowds burst forth in
a deafening roar.
Expression Of Feeling.
In that reverent silence and in that
roar of gladness is a precious express
sion of the Siamese peoples feeling for
kingship. AS young student just back
from Europe remarked to this CORE
spondent afterward, You see to the
Siamese nothing much matters except
the King"
From the landing their majesties pro-
ceeded to the Temple of the Emerald
Buddha, where they paid homage to
the six late august Chakri rulers. and
then worshiped the sacred relics in the
palaces and temples. After these cere-
monials they proceeded to the Throne
Hall through ranks of cheering people
and passed the evening in an intimate
family gathering.
For the rest of the populace it was a
night filled with celebrations and en-
tertainments in honor of the returning
monarchS.
(Copyright, 1879