You remember that in the case of United States Vice-Consul Mr. Kellet at
Bangkok, that the trouble arose from the Siamese trying to seize the
property of an American citizen named Cheek, and that Siam did not want
to make amends for the wrong.

It seems that the French difficulty arises from much the same cause. The
Siamese Government does not like to see the taxes going out of its
hands, and so, despite its treaties, seizes them for itself.

The spread of civilization into Asia has taught these Eastern monarchs
many things, and they are no longer simple, docile people, who can be
overawed by the knowledge and power of the Europeans.

The Japanese have recently come to the front as a nation, and it would
not be surprising if the Siamese followed their example.

The King of Siam, who has just been visiting Europe to attend the
Jubilee celebrations, appears to be a clever and progressive monarch.

He has been visiting Rome, and has of course been taken to see the
wonderful art treasures that this very ancient city contains. His guides
were much impressed by the correct taste the King displayed in matters
of art. They declare that no artist could have made better comments on
the various pictures and statues shown him than this King of Siam, to
whom examples of Greek art were new.

The history of Italy and the deeds of its great men were also familiar
to this far-away King. In passing through one of the galleries he saw
the statues of King Victor Emmanuel of Italy and of Garibaldi, the two