Page:Pearl of Asia (Child JT, 1892).pdf/360



This is no land for newspapers, the history of the press of Siam is a novel one. There are now two English printed papers published there, the Times, simisemi [sic]-weekly, at $20 per annum, and the Advertiser weekly, at $24 per annum. They represent the two extremes, one favorable to the Siamese, the other in decided opposition. Tor a half century the missionaries have endeavored to keep pace with the times by publishing an annual calendar and newspapers. By their efforts several papers have been started, but they somehow have always been brought up in the consular courts charged with libel, on the most frivolous pretexts, and suspended. In 1864 a Mr. Chandler, an American, started the Siam Times, but General Partridge, our consul, not liking his style, the Times soon ceased to circulate. Dr. Bradley then started the Bangkok Recorder, but the American consul, who it appears did not like newspapers, at the conclusion of a libel suit brought by the French consul against the Doctor decided that he was libelous and must be fined because he had published a report current in the palace that the French consul had demanded the removal of the Prime Minister. As the paper was not paying and the Doctor had to settle the bill, he concluded that running a paper was not a part of his mission, and the Recorder slept the sleep that knows no awakening, not even issuing another number to record its demise. The Siam Monitor