LAOS: Conquest by Negotiation

LAOS Conquest by Negotiation Life in Shangri-La was never quite so dreamlike as life in Laos since that country became an independent nation 2½ years ago. With the French no longer directing its political life, the unwarlike people of this Buddhist kingdom in the interior of the Indochinese peninsula relapsed into their old hedonist ways. Though Laos is practically roadless, well-to-do Laotians bought Mercedes cars and Italian scooters (with U.S. and French aid), built showy riverside houses, idled their days away in the pagoda gardens listening to Panpipe music and watching the...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!