Evening star., 1934-09-23
This
Changing
World
Siam Is in Cross-fre of
Intriguing Eastern
Politics.
BY CONSTANTINE BROWN.
p ING PRAJADHIPOK Of Siam
- finds II healthier to spend

~ mas IL IledlJIlltT W opOhN
n more time in Europe and
4 America than in his own
country. From his own point
of view, he is right. The political
atmosphere in his kingdom is not
very good for him. During the last
two years he has been sheered OF
most of his power and semi-socialist
government rules the country now,
with His Majesty Prajadhipok merely
signing on the dotted line.
Siam is a small country. Unfortu-
nately, she is also rich in raw materials
and finds itself On the cross roads OF
the two paramount influences in
Eastern Asia-the British and the
japanese.
Until 1892, the British have been up
holding the autocratic regime OF Siam
by substantial loans and by their moral
support. Two revolutions, however,
have put an end to the absolute rule
of the king and the regime of princes.
The present government is thoroughly
anti-BritiSh because Of the support
London has given to their ruler. and
the Japanese are now in high favor
at Bangkok The japanese are play
ing their cards skillfully and lose no
opportunity to please the new socialist
regime.
Observers OF Asidtic politics be-
lieue that Siam mill become the
Belgium OF Asia should a conflict
break out in the Far East. It's
little knoun sedcodSt can offer an
ercellent shelter tor the japanese
submarines. For the time being
the British dominate the Southern
Pacific NTH the possession OF the
Asidtic Gibraltar, Singapore.
But the isthmus of Kra in Siam
would permit the Japanese free route
TO the SueZ Canal, if they could obtain
the permission of the Siamese gov
ernment to pierce it and establish
direct communication between the
Pacific and the Indian Ocean. II
that were accomplished the British
would lose the control over the Malacca
straits and over the only corridor
which connects the East with the
West.
The japanese are striving to make
the Siamese people their ally. The
country has natural resources more
important and easier to exploit than
Manchuria. Lead, gold. oil, timber.
rubber, rice and cotton, they all exist
in large quantities. II they have not
been fully developed yet. it is because
the Western nations which have pos
sessions around Siam had no interest
in exploiting them. But the Japanese
need them all and are only too willing
to work them for all they are worth.
In case of a blockade of Japan by
an enemy power it would be we'll
nigh impossible for the warships Of
such a power to prevent japanese
ships from bringing from the Siamese
harbors the raw materials they need
X x
uork in Siam no1D. They are fiat
terinq the SidnleSe population by
playing on their national feelings
that an independent nation should
not permit a foreign po1Uer to die
tate its policies; they are emphG-
sizing the importance of the PAN
Asidtic idea and OF the pam
ASidtic brotherhood.
And what does Siam mean to the
Western powers, their propagandists
say? A country which must be
maintained undeveloped; country
famous for its historical monuments.
its comic opera King, white elephants
and pretty dancers. And the Siamese
are taking that all in, and wonder
whether an alliance with Japan would
not be profitable after all.
Mussolini has decreed that all the
male population between the age Of 8
and 33 must undergo a strenuous
military training. He remembered
that Sparta conquered the whole of
Greece by the military virtues of its
citizens. There is no doubt that a
strict discipline will help considerably
the future generations Of the Italian
people
But at the same time when he de-
cided to make all the Italians men
of iron and steel, he issued an order
which would appear that the Italian
soldiers are becoming milk and crack
er men. To help the Italian milk
producers, II Duce has just decreed
that every man in the army, navy
and air force should receive and drink
every morning quart OF milk. This
dose must be repeated at night. Fur
thermore the various units must serve
half a pound of cheese with every
noon meal.
X
- f1;,a pha
mill marry shortly Princess Marina
OF Greece, being groomed to be-
come King OF Greece?
Athens is all ercited oUer the
prospects of having again king
as a ruler, and gossip has it that
old VenizeloS, iUho spends most OF
his time in BTttctn noW, has ar
ranged this marriage in order to
qiue his compdtriotS permanent
ruler.
Marina's encourage believe their
princess will become a Queen very
shortly and are taking steps to pre-
serve the royal dignity somewhat ruff
fled by the princess lately because
OF lack of money
A few months ago Princess Marina
signed contract with the Ponds Co.'S
metics Co, whereby in exchange for
sum of $500 she permitted her pic
ture to be used by the manufacturers
for advertising purposes. With her
picture was circulated a statement
signed by the princess that Ponds
products we're the best.
Since her engagement to Prince
George the British and the Greek
authorities made efforts to induce
the Ponds people to cancel the con-
tract.
When the high reason of state was
explained to the president of the
company, he loyalty agreed to cancel
the contract and withdraw the pic