Red Lodge daily news combined with Carbon County news., 1934-12-05

Prepared by National Geographic Society.
Washington, d.. C.-WNU Service.
OMAN still is oriental In spirit,
-, but possesses modern occiden-
tai appointments of great va
riety. In asslmilating things west
ern, Slam has maintained Its dlstinc-
tive individuality. Few countries
offer more startling contrasts.
1t is not unusual in Siamese cities
TO see policemen hating motor and
street car traffic to make way for
some Kaleidoscope medieval pa
geant. With modern hospitals and
dispensaries available, many people
still prefer medicinal concoctlons
made from rhinoceros horns, snake
gals. and strange herbs. Slow
moving oxearts and shuffling ele-
plants vie with motorcars for the
right of way on many country
roads. Siamese Rebeccas In Bang
kok fill their jars Tor oil tinsl with
water at sanitary street hydrants.
In some parts of north Siam tiger
whiskers are considered much more
effective in Furnishing an enemy
than is a police court.
Yet, on the visit Of the king and
queen of Siam to the United States
in 1881, when King Prajadhipok re-
vealed his keen interest In ath-
letics, radio, and motion pictures,
and discussed In excellent English
with newspaper correspondents and
business leaders such things as
free press and democracy, while the
queen played golf, many people
were amazed to discover how mod
ern the royal family really a
Again, through the forthcoming
visit of the king for further opti-
cal treatment, the Land of the
Free" In Asia will meet u United
States and mutual appreciation will
be increased.
Siam a Land of the Free7 Such
is the meaning of Muang Thai, the
name by which the Siamese have
always known their country. Super
ficially, 1t might seem somewhat of
an anomaly; for, until less than
two years ago, when a constitution
was born, Siam was the sole re-
naming absolute monarchy in the
Family of Nations.
Yet the name Muang Thai has
significance. OF all the numerous
races and tribal groups who In sue
cessive migrations have swept down
across southern Asia, only the
Siamese have emerged victorious,
Against many vicissitudes they have
maintained their complete independ-
ence and forged themselves a mod
ern state.
Now Quite Accessible.
Today we can step aboard the
magic carpets provided by Imperial
Always, X. L. NJ, and Air-France
at London, Amsterdam, or Mar
settles and be whisked away TO this
interesting oriental land in a little
over a week, for Siam lies at the
aerial crossroads Of the Far East
Or we can go by boat and drop of
at Penang, Singapore, or Hong
Kong, as Bangkok Is linked &c
Penang by train, to Hong Kong BY
local steamer, and to Singapore By
both.
In the long curving sweep Of
Bangkok's river highway, the MI
Nam Chao Bhraya, Is revealed The
pageant of Slams commercial &C
tivity. Many of Bangkok's so rice
mills line the water front. Chinese
junks and lighters clutter theil
wharves, with endless queues o.
perspiring, bare-backed coolies
dumping baskets of rice In thell
holds. Other boats lift their rough
mating sails and slip downstream
to the off-coast island Of Koh S
Chang, where deep-draft steamer
take on cargo.
Nearly 80 per cent Of all Siam'i
foreign trade moves up and dowI
this waterway, accompanied by al
the strange smells and cries pecu
liar to an oriental port.
AS a capital city, Bangkok is no
old. 1t is but a few years senior t
Washington, on the Potomac. TIL
New Rama | bridge, its enormous
spans etched sharply against
background Of colorful temples ant
waterfront shops, gives the city 1t
date line. This 475-foot structure
first to link the two portions of tn
city, was dedicated in April, 1882
In commemoration Of the one hun
dred fftieth anniversary Of tn,
founding of Bangkok and tn
reign Of the present Chakkr
dynasty.
American Influence.
America has touched Siam in man,
ways. Through American mission
aries modern medicine was frs
practiced and progressive school
developed In the country. Amer
leans brought the first printin.
presses and also adapted the 4
consonants and 20 vowel and tona
marks of the Slamese written. Ian
guage to the keyboard of a type
writer.