หน้า:พระปกเกล้าฯ กับ รธน ไทย (vol 2).pdf/23

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Municipal elections. This would give some idea as to the possibility of inaugurating some form of representative government. It will satisfy the advanced opinions of the country, and will be a good demonstration as to whether the people are really ready to have an effective voice in the affairs of the country.

Another question which I consider important is the Chinese question. The Chinese are very useful in Siam. In former days they marry Siamese women and became very good Siamese citizens. But since the Chinese revolution, there has been quite a change. Now the Chinese bring their wives from China, and are determined to remain Chinese. They organize schools in which they teach practically only the Chinese language. There is a rather disturbing state of affairs, as we loose a source of good and laborious citizens, and with the new ideas in China filtering through, it becomes a latent danger.

9th Question.

Can something be done to make the Chinese become Siamese as in the old days? (In the Straits Settlements they are willing to become British subjects).

These are all the problems which we have not yet found satisfactory solutions or which are doubtful as to the proper way to attack. Others are being solved or on the point of being solved.