46 THROUGH THE KLAWNGS 



drafting Siam, and gradually narrowing the lines 

 of native territory. Ever since the French 

 marched into Anam, where they did not belong, 

 and became inoculated with territorial expansion, 

 there has been a constant dispute as to where 

 French jurisdiction ends and Siamese begins over 

 Mekong River way. Thus, with Burma (Eng- 

 land) on the north and west, and France on the 

 east, the buffer-state-condition of Siam is not the 

 happiest one for its king. But I wish to go on 

 record before dismissing this side of the subject, 

 as saying that whereas Great Britain's influence 

 has developed trade and worked to the country's 

 prosperity, the influence of France, seen largely in 

 the exaction of duties and of tribute for petty 

 offences, has had by comparison an embarrassing 

 and retarding effect. In a word, the influence of 

 Great Britain makes for the betterment of Siam, 

 whereas the influence of France appears to have 

 been detrimental to Siam, and of no appreciable 

 benefit to France. If the past be accepted as a 

 criterion, it would be an unfortunate day for the 

 commercial world if the influence of France in 

 Siam were to be extended. In fact, the more that 

 influence is narrowed the better for Siam and the 

 world. 



Life clusters along the rivers, throughout Siam. 

 There is comparatively little overland travel in 



