864 EDWARD HENRY STROBEL. 



the latter post until 1897, accomplishing excellent work under some- 

 what trying conditions. At the close of his stay, he received a signal 

 mark of distinction in being chosen by both France and Chile to arbi- 

 trate a claim of a French citizen against the government of Chile. 



In 1898, Strobel was called to the Bemis Professorship of Interna- 

 tional Law in the Harvard Law School. The founder of the chair 

 had expressed the desire that the occupant should be not merely a 

 professor of the science, but a practical co-operator in the work of 

 advancing knowledge and good will among nations and governments. 

 Strobel's intellect and temperament peculiarly fitted him to improve 

 the relations between States, and the years spent in the diplomatic 

 service had added the qualification of experience which the late George 

 Bemis had also mentioned when making his bequest. 



As Bemis Professor, Strobel gave courses in the Law School in 

 International Law and Admiralty. He also taught International Law 

 in the College. He was an interesting and able instructor, and gath- 

 ered large classes about him. Perhaps he felt a little impatience with 

 "theorizing," but it is to be remembered that he had successfully 

 handled large affairs and had carried considerable responsibilities. 

 After four years of service as a teacher, he was called to a very different 

 field. 



In a distant corner of the Far East there lies a land which has suc- 

 ceeded in maintaining its independence while many other empires, 

 kingdoms, and principalities of Asia have fallen under alien rule. How 

 Siam has been able to accomplish this — often only with great diffi- 

 culty — forms an interesting study, but it is a study which cannot be 

 undertaken here. Suffice it to say that when in 1902 Strobel entered 

 into relations with Siam, its political situation was one of considerable 

 danger. He was offered, and he accepted, the post of General Adviser 

 to the Siamese Government. While he did not reach Bangkok until 

 March, 1904, he was occupied during a great part of the intervening 

 time in negotiations in Europe. These resulted in a treaty with 

 France, signed in 1902, which failed of ratification by the French 

 Government, and of another treaty signed on February 13, 1904, and 

 afterwards duly ratified. On the evening of the day on which the 

 latter treaty was signed in Paris, he started for Bangkok, with the 

 new treaty sewed in his coat pocket. 



The post to which he was called was one which exactly suited his 

 abilities and experience. Siamese foreign affairs occupied most of 

 his attention, and here of course he was at home. The foreign affairs 

 of the kingdom were in a condition where "theorizing" upon legal 



