Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-26

several decades she has made extraor-
/ binary progress politically, economically,
in every way. The machinery Of JUS
| tice, largely reconstructed on European
models, evolves admirably. The culture
and sale of opium are under Tightening
restriction and control. The religion Of
the majority Is Buddhism with modifi-
| cations from Brahminism and multi
! tude OF ancient autochthonous cults.
| The King is regarded as the grand de-
fender OF the Buddhist faith. The tone
OF society Is remarkably democratic.
Some Of the best features Of the Chinese
system at its glorious best have been
adapted. Thus there is no such thing
as caste, and low birth Is no impossible
bar to the attainment of the highest
dignity. There are no hereditary titles
outside royalty, those existing being for
life only and by way CT appanage OF
office. There is no slavery any more.
Siam has an erea of about 100000
square miles New York State about
| 100000, andsa population in the neigh
borhood og about 100000, Bangkok
boasting a million. There is magni-
cent system Of inland waterways, en-
bracing rivers and canals. Few coun-
| tries so abound in big game. Elephants
roam wild in large numbers. and the
fauna include the tiger, leopard, water
buffalo, wild pig, crocodile, many species
Of monkeys dncluding the gibbon), and
the flying fox.
The Siamese are indeed an artistic
| people, as evidenced in architecture,
goldsmiths work, carving, dancing. Yes,
music, too, though the absence Of
harmony makes their music sound q
little queer to us. The Khmer remains
are among the architectural marvels Of
the world.
spoke of the progress Of recent
years, features whereof are: Increasing
development of a natural and partly
compulsory educational system; uni
versity with four faculties; a large and
enthusiastic Boy Scout organization,
under the name of the Wild Tiger
Corps; athletics (out of England book,
foot ball being quite the rage); state
railway system functioning ef1ciently
and at a profit; progress in road con-
struction against very great difficulties
Of terrain. A native Journalism and
press not lacking in boldness; hospitals,
clinics, sanitary regulations and con-
Structions; a good postal system; wire-
less installations; an aviation service OF
quite amazing quality, and, far the most
important, extension and improvement
of irrigation.
The Siamese people are predominantly
% oAtAA o.. 4tIcy are lIVcI4lBCIlt Cu1"
tlvators, rice being their main article
OF culture apd export. Thanks to ex-
port Of rice and teakwood, the balance
OF foreign trade Is favorable. There Is
little rice to equal that of Siam; and
Siam leads the world in export of teak
Finance and the budget are in good
trim; an outstanding country.
Since, according to all accounts, the
Siamese people rejoice in their majesties,
we are hcnored in receiving them.
II X
HONDURAS-More trouble in Latin
America, this time in Honduras, where
fore three of our cruisers ordered to
the Caribbean coast of that republic to
protect American lives and property.
From Guantanamo the cruiser Trenton
goes to Trujillo and the cruiser Marble
head to Puerto Cortes, while the cruiser
Memphis steams north from Puerto
Cabezas, Nicaragua, for La Ceiba. The
~ 1oe ct m