A Revolution in Siam Revolutions are the mode, so that
the almost bloodless coup d'dat in Siam last week should occasion no great surprise. The heads of the army and navy arrested the King's two brothers and the chief of police and pro- Claimed a constitution, to which the King telegraphed his assent. Hitherto Siam has been governed by the King with a nominated legislative council, and under the guidance of foreign advisers it has enjoyed many years of peace and prosperity. Many of the Siamese princes have been educated in Europe ; the present King is an old Etonian, and one of his brothers was at Harrow and Trinity. There is no suggestion that the benevolent autocracy hitherto in power at Bangkok has failed in its duty. But the rise of an educated class, there as else- where in Asia, has doubtless spread democratic ideas, and the officers, forming themselves into a "People's Party," have had no difficulty in imposing their views on the King. Whether the placid Siamese peasantry are ready for the franchise is another matter. It can only he hoped that Siam under a constitution will progress as well. as she did without one, .
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