Evening star., 1938-05-22

contain no unusual provisions, but simply
provide for Slams unrestricted jurisdiction
over her own territory.
Siam is small country" the foreign
minister continued earnestly; II mean, as
countries in Asia go. and it is a poor
country. On top of this, Siam for the past
five years has been going through serious
period of political transition. Siam has
been confronted with the gigantic task Of
changing over from an absolute monarchy
to a constitutional eovernment-revising
national life. This is not easy, and Siam
needs, and wants, the friendship of all ma
tons.
Foreign Policy Misunderstood.
There seems to be considerable misun-
derstanding abroad about Slams foreign
policy. I cannot too strongly emphasize
that Siam is playing no Asiatic favorites
We are not trying to exclude Occidental
people from Siam.
First and foremost, however Siam is
pro-Siamese. Our nationalistic spirit is
being fostered to preserve our country for
our people. Our military naval and air
appropriations have been granted for this
purpose. But our whole military defense
program calls for only an expenditure of
20 per cent of our budget. That Is not
warlike in these days"
Luang Pradist is 40, but. wrapped in the
ample folds of his barrister's robes, he
looks like very earnest schoolboy dressed
up for photograph Nevertheless, he was
the moving spirit Of the "bloodless revolu-
ton six years ago in Bangkok, which set
up constitutional government in Siam. It
was he who put into expression the dis
satisfaction of young Siam with the top
heavy institution of an enormous royal
family whose hundreds of parasitical
princes absorbed all government posts and
throttled all funds which might have gone
for the development of the country and
the people.
Mysterious Role Denied.
In Luang Pradist the Siamese people be-
lieve they have one of the brightest legal
experts the East has produced. BY foreign
correspondents Luang Pradist has been
called the mystery man" of the revolu-
Siam who know the foreign minister say
there is nothing mysterious about the
actions or policies of this quiet, studious
earnest little man. Simple and unpreten-
tious, he avoids the limelight and makes
few public statements.
Luang Pradist denied emphatically that
Siam was considering or in any way
spreading the doctrine of Asia for the
Asiatics''
I'VE could not get along for a week with
out the aid of Western nations" he de.
clared. "A country as small and as poor
as Siam needs the friendship of the big
powers. We are an agricultural people, We
live by our rice crops We are not indus
trialists, nor are We ambitious to become so.
We haven't the natural resources which
would permit us to change over.
There seems to be considerable
amount of misinformation abroad about
Siam at present, 1 am sorry to say. I
wish this could be corrected We are
essentially contented race But though
we are poor, We never starve Nature al
ways provides some sort of food for us, and,
living in a hot climate. we thrive and re-
produce like tropical plants. We never
have to come to grips with the elements.
We never experience bitter cold and the
necessity of wrestling a living from barren
soil.
No Reason to Expand.
| "Our people are essentially contented.
They are not ambitious to acquire more
land. Why should We? Our country is as
large as France. and yet We have only a
fourth of the population of France.
Our new government is not ambitious
to add more territory to the realm. We are
much more concerned with raising the gen.
eral standard of living. We want the
people to have equal opportunities for i'm
provement in health. living and education.
With education, every one, men and women
alike, will take voice in their own gov
ernment
If this is thoroughly understood by
people abroad, they will know that we are
giving no heed to the creed of Asia for
the Asiatics.' Personally, am suspicious
Of such doctrine. And I would like to
ask the question: Suppose We do have
Asia for the Asiatics, what then?' What is
the next development after that? Do We
have dissension among the Asiatics and one
nation trying to assume dominance?
IF so-and believe this would be fore
shadowed-what has Siam to gain by that?
With Siam open to all countries, we have
the benefits of the culture and also the
social and economic advantages which in
tercourse with Occidental nations give us,
and, what is more, we have freedom"
Luang Pradist speaks slow, measured
English. He prefers to talk in French.
His nine years of law study in France gave
him confident fluency in that language.
When he is speaking it, his face shows more
animation than when he is speaking either
Siamese or English. He seldom smiles, and
when he does it is quick, uncertain one.
He seems to have none of the easy humor
which so characterizes the majority Of tho
Siamese people.
(copyright. 193s)