Karens, and Khamus. Probably not more than one-twentieth of the land in the delta of the Menam has hitherto been under cultivation; but at the head of the delta many canals for irrigation have recently been dug, and the region has thus been rendered fit for rice-growing. The chief product of the country is rice (estimated at 500,000 to 700,000 tons in 1893), which forms the national food and the staple article of export. Other produce is pepper (1,175 tons exported in 1892), salt, dried fish, cattle, and sesame; while, for local consumption only, hemp, tobacco, cotton, and coffee are grown. Fruits are abundant, including the durian, mangosteen, and mango. Much of Upper Siam is dense forest, and the cutting of teak is an important industry. Gold exists in some of the rivers, for the working of which concessions have been granted to British and French companies. Gem-mining is carried on in various districts in Eastern Siam. Tin and coal are known to exist in the Malay Peninsula. Commerce. Nearly the whole of the trade is in the hands of foreigners, and in recent years many Chinese, not subject like the natives to forced labour, have settled in the country. The foreign trade of Siam centres in Bangkok, the capital. In 1891 the imports amounted to 1,440,7637., and in 1892 to 1,295,9647. In 1891 the exports amounted to 1,696,8277., and in 1892 to 1,386,5607. chief imports and exports in these two years were as follows: The In 1892 of the imports the value of 872,0627. was from Singapore, and and 300,4407. from Hong Kong; of the exports 746,6427. was to Singapore, and 495,5717. to Hong Kong. There is, in addition to the Bangkok trade, a considerable trade on the northern frontiers with the British Shan states and Yunnan. The trade of the United Kingdom with Siam, according to the Board of Trade Returns, was as follows during the last five years: Almost the only article of direct import from Siam into Great Britain in the year 1892 was hewn teak-wood, valued at 47,2801. Among the direct exports of British produce to Siam the chief articles in 1892 were machinery and mill-work, of the value of 12,3557.; iron, wrought and unwrought, 65,8107. cottons, 3,8397.; hardware, 1,4127. There is a large importation of British piece-goods, transhipped at Singapore. Shipping and Communications. In 1892, 292 vessels of 209,745 tons (248 of 182,354 tons British) entered, and 288 of 201,145 tons (242 of 174,555 tons British) cleared at the port of Bangkok. The railway from Bangkok to Paknam (14 miles) was opened in April, 1893. In 1888 a survey for a railway from Bangkok to Chiengmai and other northern and eastern provinces of Siam was commenced; a line from Bangkok to Ban Mai on the Patriew river has been sanctioned; a railway is being constructed from Bangkok to Korat (165 miles), a very rich undeveloped ricegrowing plateau, the line passing through excellent timber country. A concession has also been given, and the survey executed, for a railway across the Malay Peninsula from Singora to Kota Star, and thence to Kulim, a distance of 136 miles. There is an electric tramway in Bangkok, worked successfully. Telegraph lines have been completed to the total length of 1,780 miles, and Bangkok is now in communication with Chiengmai, Nakon-Lampang, Korat, Nong-Khai, Sesopone, Chantabun, and Bangtaphan; with Moulmein, and Tavoy in Lower Burma; and with Saigon in Anam; though the working of the lines is subject to interruption. Lines are being laid from Nakhonsawan to Paklai and Luang-Prabang on the Mekong, and in the Malay Peninsula from Bangtaphan to Singora, in all 710 miles. Post There is a postal service in Bangkok, and in 1885 Siam joined the International Postal Union. The mail service down the Malay Peninsula, and also towards the north of Siam, has been largely developed. offices, 1890, 98 ; letters &c. transmitted, internal 189,993, external 219,170. In 1890 a parcel post service was established having connection with Singapore and the international system. Money, Weights, and Measures. MONEY. The Tical, or Bat. 64 Alts, or 60 cents of a Mexican dollar; average The legal money of Siam is the tical, a silver coin, weighing 236 grains troy, 910 fine. Other silver coins from the Siamese mint now current are the salung and the fuang, the former one-fourth, the latter one-eighth of a tical. Dollars are accepted in payment at the rate of 3 dollars for 5 ticals. In 1891 bronze coinage to the value of 400,000 ticals was executed at Birmingham. The Siamese mint is about to be extended for the coinage of gold, silver, and bronze pieces. Paper money is current, the notes being of the value of 1, 5, 10, 20, 40, 80, 400, and 800 ticals. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES. 1 Chang = 23 lbs. avoirdupois; 50 Chang 1 hap. or 133 lbs. ; 1 Niu = 1.66 English inch; 1 Keup = 12 Niu; 1 Sok = 2 Keup; 1 Wah = 2 Sok; 1 Sen = 20 Wa; 1 Wah = 80 English inches; 1 Yot 400 Sen. Diplomatic and Consular Representatives. 1. OF SIAM IN GREAT BRITAIN. Envoy and Minister.-The Marquis de Mahayotha, May 14, 1892. English Secretary.-Frederick W. Verney. 2. OF GREAT BRITAIN IN SIAM. Minister Resident and Consul-General.—Captain H. M. Jones, V.C.; appointed December, 1888. Chargé d'Affaires ad interim, J. G. Scott, C.I.E. Vice-Consul at Chiengmai.-W. J. Archer. Consul for Kedah, &c.-Allan M. Skinner, C.M.G. Statistical and other Books of Reference concerning Siam. Report on the Trade of Bangkok and of Chiengmai] for 1892, No. 1267 of Foreign Office Reports, Annual Series. London, 1893. Trade of Siam with Great Britain in Annual Statement of the Trade of the United Kingdom with Foreign Countries and British Possessions for the year 1892.' 4. London, 1893. Alabaster (Henry), The Wheel of the Law. 8. London, 1871. Bastian (Adolf), Die Völker von östlichen Asien: Studien und Reisen. 6 vols. 8. Leipzig, 1866-1871. Bastian (Adolf), Geographische und Ethnologische Bilder. S. Jena, 1873. 8. London, 1857. Bock (Carl), Temples and Elephants. 1 vol. 8. London, 1884. Coit (Mary L.), Siam, the Heart of Farther India. American Missionary Publication. New York. Crawford, Journal of an Embassy to Siam and Cochin-China. 2 vols. 8. 2nd edition, 1830. Doudart de Lagrée, Voyage d'exploration dans l'Indo-Chine. 2 vols. 4. Paris, 1873. Gordon (Robert), The Economic Development of Siam, in the Journal of the Society of Arts, No. 1,998, vol. xxxix. London, 1891. Grehan (A.), Le royaume de Siam. S. Paris, 1868. La Loubere, Description du royaume de Siam. 12. Paris and Amsterdam, 1691. Pallegoix (D. J.), Description du royaume de Thai ou Siam. 2 vols. 8. Paris, 1854. Paris, 1883. Vol. VIII. L'Inde et l'Indo-Chine. Satow (E. M.), Essay towards a Bibliography of Siam. Singapore, 1886. Scherzer (Dr. K. von), Die wirthschaftlichen Zustände im Süden und Osten Asiens. 8. Stuttgart, 1871. Thomson (John), The Straits of Malacca, Indo-China, and China, or Ten Years' Travels Adventures, and Residence Abroad. 8. London, 1875. Vincent (Frank), The Land of the White Elephant. New York. 1889. SOUTH AFRICAN REPUBLIC. Constitution and Government. THE South African Republic, also known as the Transvaal, was originally formed by part of the Boers, who left the Cape Colony in 1835 for Natal, but quitted that colony on its annexation to the British Crown. In 1852 the independence of the Transvaal was recognised by the British Government, and the constitution of the State is based on the Thirty-Three Articles,' passed May 23, 1849, and the Grondwet,' or Fundamental law of February 13, 1858. The Constitution has since been frequently amended down to August 1891. The legislative power of the State is now vested in two Volksraden of 24 members each. The five largest districts of the country elect two members, and the 12 smaller districts one member for each Volksraad, while the Barberton and Witwatersrand goldfields are represented by one member in each Raad. They are elected for a term of four years, one half retiring every two years. The franchise qualification for aliens for the Volksraad is: age 30 years, member of a Protestant Church, four years' residence in the Republic, the oath of allegiance, naturalisation on payment of 51., and possession of landed property in the State. The qualifications for a member of the first Volksraad are the same, except that a member must be born in the Republic or a burgher of the State since May, 1876. The members of the Second Chamber are elected by burghers who for two years have been entitled to vote, who have reached the age of 16 years. The members of the first Volksraad can only be elected by burghers entitled to vote, who have obtained their burgher-right by birth before or after the promulgation of the law, and who have attained the age of sixteen. The Executive is vested in a President, elected for five years by all enfranchised burghers, eligible for the first Volksraad, assisted by a council consisting of three official members (the State Secretary, the Commandant-General, and the Minute-keeper), and two non-official members elected by the first Volksraad. On April 12, 1877, the Transvaal was annexed by the British Government, against which in December 1880 the Boers took up arms, and a treaty of peace was signed March 21, 1881. According to the convention ratified by the Volksraad, October 26, 1881, self-government was restored to the Transvaal so far as regards internal affairs, the control and management of external affairs being reserved to Her Majesty as suzerain. A British resident was appointed, with functions analogous to those of a Consul-General and Chargé d'Affaires. Another convention with the Government of Great Britain was signed in London February 27, 1884, ratified by the Volksraad, August 8, by which the State is to be known as the South African Republic, and the British suzerainty considerably restricted. Instead of a Resident the British Government is represented by a Diplomatic Agent. State President.-S. J. Paul Krüger, elected for the third time May 12, 1893. Executive Council.-Official members: P. J. Joubert, Com. -Gen.; Dr. W. J. Leyds, State Sec.; F. H. M. Kock, Minute Keeper. Unofficial: N. J. Smit, M. A. Wolmaraus. Area and Population. The area of the Republic is, according to planimetrical computation of Jeppe's map, 113,642 square miles, divided into 18 districts, and its white population, according to the rather incomplete census of 1 April, 1890, 119,128, of whom 66,498 are men and 52,630 women; the native population in April, 1893, was estimated at 368,329. These figures, however, can be regarded as only approximate until a better census is taken. The boundaries of the State are defined in the convention of February 27, 1884-since altered by a supplementary convention, by which the former New Republic (Zululand) was annexed to the South African Republic as a new district, named Vrijheid, and by the terms of the Convention regarding Swaziland, ratified by the Volksraad, August 20, 1890, by which a small portion of Swaziland and Amatonga Land becomes part of the Transvaal, including an area of 10 miles in radius at Kosi Bay. The seat of government is Pretoria, with a white population of 5,000. The largest town is Johannesburg, the mining centre of Witwatersrand goldfields, with a population of 40,215 and a floating popula tion of 30,000 in the goldfields along the Rand. The bulk of the population of the Republic are engaged in agriculture. Religion. The United Dutch Reformed Church is the dominant religious body, elaiming 50,000 (1891) of the population; other Dutch Churches, 18,100; English Church, 6,581; Wesleyans, 3,866; Catholic, 3,000; other Christian Churches, 1,500; Jews, 2,000. Instruction. There are 12 English schools in Pretoria, and one or more in each of the other towns. According to the report of the Superintendent of Education for the year 1892, the sum of 34,9621. was spent for the education of 7,932 pupils. In 1892 there were 62 village schools and 422 ward schools, besides a gymnasium with 29 pupils at Pretoria. The establishment of a university is contemplated, and 20,000l. were voted for the purpose by the Volksraad. Finance. The following table shows the ordinary revenue and expenditure for the last 5 years :— £ £ £ £ £ Revenue 884,440 1,577,445 1,229,060 967,191 1,255,829 812,699 The credit balance being on June 30, 1893, 538,7627. The revenue is The public debt in June 1893 was 7,098,8007., including the 5 per cent. loan of 2,500,000l. effected by Rothschild in 1893, and the State guarantee for the interest on the different railway lines. The State lands were valued in 1884 at 400,000l., but may now be valued at some millions, as the principal goldfields at Barberton are on Government lands. The debt due to Great Britain bears interest at 3 per cent., and is to be extinguished by a sinking fund of 31. Os. 9d. per cent. in twenty-five years. The balance still owing August 8, 1893, was 187,1867. Defence. The Republic has no standing army, with the exception of a small force of horse artillery, all able-bodied citizens being called out in case of war. Ac |