The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-02-11
A VILLAGE OF SOCIALISTS.
Poverty Unknown in the Little Town Of
Fort Mardyck i'm Flanders.
Philadelphia Telegraph.

Philadelphia Telegraph.
One of the most remarkable communities
in Europe is a little village on the coast
of French Flanders, in which for more than
three hundred years d sort of socialism or
communism has prevailed, unrnoved by the
numerous revolutions that have in all that
time swept over France. Tn place is
known as Fort Mardyck, and it is historic
ground. Here the Romans under julius
Caesar established a port and a fortress,
and from this place they set out on their
invasion of the British isles. When Roman
rule in Gaul was ended the fort remained,
and the port of Mardyck was long a pros
porous and important one. But its down.
TALL came when Charles III sold Dunkirk,
which it adjoins, to the French.
1t was soon after this event, however,
that the Socialist village was founded. Nor
was that the last of the Stuarts' interest
i'm the place. For it is told that when the
Young Pretender had, in IVA, persuaded
Louis XIV of France to aid him with money
and men in his efforts to regain the throne
Of England, the expedition was delayed by
a storm, and the leader of the Jacobites
was awaiting his opportunity at Gravelines-
One day he had set out for a walk along
the coast, and had strayed as far as Mar
dyck, when he was overtaken by q heavy
shower of rain and compelled to seek ref
uge in the farm of a certain Andre La
motto. who, unaware of the quality OF his
guest, received the Pretender with great
hospitality. Inc Prince was so delighted
with the cordiality of his host that he spent
a week on the farm, his officers being,
meanwhile, greatly alarmed at his disap-
revisited Lamotte before setting sail for
England.
by Louis XIV in 1870. French Flanders had
down to that time been subject to many
owners, and its inhabitants were chiefly
ua-nf- 4 N rata M nnna n q fhaFn
were French. The King deemed ii well.
therefore, to plant a colony of pure French
in numbers. should serve to leaven the
whole lump. He also decided to make it
a sailors village, of which all the men
should be bound to do maritime service
for him. On a call being made for vol
unteers to establish such a. village, four
antilles Of Cucq, in Plcardy. responded.
Their names were Everart, Zoonehent, Ben
ard and Goden. The King accepted them,
and granted them, for their own use and
that of their descendants, some three hum
dyck.
These men entered into possession Of the
land on the understanding that they were
bound to submit TO maritime CONSUMPTION,
and to exercise the profession OF a sailor.
At different stages of its progress, the col
ony of Fort Mardyck had to contend with
attempts leveled against its privileges.
None OF its opponents was successful. how
ever, and in 1913 Louis Nv ratified the con-
cessions granted by his predecessor by
means OF a decree. and reserved To the
Fort Mardyck people the exclusive right
OF fishing off Mardyck. The village and its
royal grant or land have remained unaf-
fected by the numerous changes which have
occurred in France since Louis XIV down
to the present time.
The area of the land. grant, three hun
dred acres, has not been increased. But
the population OF the village has grown
until now IL numbers more than LEO. II Is
therefore becoming decidedly rowded. The
land is divided into two portions. One half
Is let TO farmers. The rentals thus re-
ceived form the revenues of the village,
and serve amply for the payment OF state
taxes and for the distribution Of relief to
members OF the community standing I'm
need Of assistance. the remaining portion
OF the land is allotted 10 the inhabitants OF
Fort Mardyck, each one receiving at the
time Of his or her marriage about half an
acre. Under no circumstances may the
Fort Mardyck native resign his ownership.
He may secure a tenant for his share OF
the land, but no further transfer is per-
mitted. This rule. which. unlike others. Is