THE FAR EAST.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12068, 25 July 1917, Page 2

THE FAR EAST.

SIAM DECLARES WAP,

Renter's Telegrams,

BANGKOK, July 23

Siam has declared war on Germany and has seized 13.965 tons of German slipping.

Ihe kingdom of Siam, the "kingdom of the fx*ee," has a population of about 8,500,000, including 500,000 Chinese. Of recent years Western ideas have been largely introduced under a General Adviser of American nationality, British Judicial and Financial Advisors and a French Legislative Adviser. The meti-opolitan police are controlled by British officers and the provincial gendarmerie are under Danish officers. Other high posts are held by British officials. Universal service on the European model is in force, but the legal exemptions are numerous. The peace strength of the army is roughly 12,000 men, and the war strength 80,000 of first line and reserve tx-oops. The total unorganised force is estimated at 1,530,655. The infantry is armed with a special type Mauser and the artillery with "75" Krupp guns. The navy includes aome old light cruisers and six modern torpedo boats. The military and naval budget in 1914-15 amounted to £1,378,000 in a total of £6,563,481, though more than half of the trade in the yf.nv before tlio war was carried on with the British Empire, 44$ per cent of the carrying was done by Norwegian steamers, 24$ per cent by British and-12$ per cent by German." There are two wireless stations in Siam controlled by the naval authorities.