'Borrowed Plumage"

I am the King of Siam, Siam!

I dote on wine, women and ham, And ham!

My hams are my own

And in my own home

I am the King of Siam, Siam!

--BOWERY FOLK SONG.

When famed Manhattan lawyer Samuel Untermyer reached Bangkok, Siam, recently, on the world cruise of the S. S. Belgenland he was greeted with no lilting stanzas, but rather by an imperial "command" to appear at the Siamese Court and be received in audience by perky little King Pracha Tipok (TIME, March 8, 1926) and his placid, portly Queen.

Embarrassed, Lawyer Untermyer protested that he possessed no suitable clothes, but soon the U. S. Legation supplied a frock coat, striped trousers, silk hat. Said Mr. Untermyer, later:

"I told the King that I was there in borrowed plumage from head to foot and how it came about, and he either enjoyed the story or had the good manners to appear to do so.

"He appeared to be interested to know in detail why America . . . had rejected the League of Nations and the World Court. I explained the issue as best I could but it did not appear convincing to him though he politely refrained from comment."