Durango semi-weekly herald., 1901-03-28
THE PASSING OF osrENp.


Der OF deputies. The passing of the
nrst eight clauses OF the anti-gambling
law has fallen like n thunderbolt up
on the host of shady spectators who
have amassed fortunes by exploiting
the folly of youth and the weak.mind-
ed. For years Belgium has been the
happy hunting ground of the shady
| individual. Here there has been a
chance to make money by taking ad.
vantage of the licensing of vice in
one of its worst forms, and for years
reformers have been trying in vain
to put an end to what they have rec
ognized as a disgrace to the country
at large.
BY the existing law the Belgian gov
ernment gives the privilege to any
city or town to license what is known
as "Cercle des Etrangers. clubs
where non-residents may come. and
by being duly balloted for and paving
an entrance fee of 20 francs ($3.S6)
the club paying the other so ($15.4O)
due to the municipality-may gam
BILE night and day until they have lost
their last sou. Ostend. Spa, Ma.
mur, Dinant, Chaudfontein, Chimay.
and uccle, the latter suburb of
Brussels, have lived and thrived in
this way. levying enormous taxes,
with which they have paid large sums
for city improvements and embellish-
meEts.
Ostend and Spa have fourlshed and
outstrlpped many of the watering
places of Europe. Now the govern
ment proposes to take away these
privileges, and gaming hereafter Will
only be tolerated In strictly private
clubs. To say that Ostend's chief
attraction is its gaming tables may
seem sweeping assertion, and yet
all who are familiar with the Belgian
coast will recognize its truth.
Outside Of the gambling world It is
scarcely known how much interna-
tional capital is involved at Ostend.
The rooms at Spa are among the most
luxuriant In the world, and the linn
ts at both Spa and Ostend far sur
pass those at Monte Carlo, In fact.
sums exchange hands at Spa and Os-
tend that would make Monte Carlo
.ook like 80 cents.
Crowds of extravagant. luxurious.
spendthrift men and women of all
lationalities, from the dusky orien-
al to the American multl-millionaire
of all ranks, class and of all degrees
of morality, have hitherto assembled
at these two gaming centers. ending
up the winter at Monte Carlo and re-
turning N 0sfnnI Ha mia
birds, as soon as the season is open
Once this brilliant horde has been
scattered, what will Ostend have to
boast of? Nothing but an irregular
beach. which is obliterated at high
tide.
On the other hand. Spa has its nat
ural attractions, and no law can de.
prive 1t Of its beautiful forests, It's
ideal walks and drives. its hills and
valleys and dreamy corners.
The financial problem involved In
this unexpected decision OF the Bel
gian chamber is serious one, and
the government is expected to come
to the relief OF Ostend and Spa in
some way or other. for which relief
special lava must be passed As
sor the other towns-Namur Dinant
Chimay and Chaudfontein-they must
shoulder the burden Fortunately
for Dinant. that quaint little town un-
der the rock on the Meuse. the sue
cess OF Its gambling club has dimin-
shed year by year, to the benefit OF
Namur, which town launched out a
few years ago and blossomed as n
miniature Monte Carlo. with the
Meuse instead OF the Mediterranean
As an attraction. Whispers of the
practical bankruptcy OF this munic-
ipality are afoat
Next door to Ostend lies Blanken-
burg, which has no gambling tables
to attract the gay. bewildering throng
that crowds to Ostcnd. and yet the
'atufal attractions Of which are su-
Derior The beach at Blankcnberg
Is the finest on the coast. the sur
'oundings OF Blankenberg are more
attractive than those of Ostend: its
hotels are more homelike and rea-
| sonable. and its elements of success
are more numerous. Last year Os-
| tends list OF visitors was only 10000
| ahead OF Blankenbcrg. Let the gam.
bling tables be withdrawn from Os-
tend and within five years Blanken-
berg will surpass that city In every
respect
| This Is what the people of that town
| fear, and this Is why every possible
human effort will be made to urge the
senate to throw out the bill as passed
by the chamber, though to disregard
vote of 81 to l6 would be, on the
part OF the senate. n very dangerous
game to play.
The risks that Spa IL running are
not too great. Situated 1850 feet
above the level OF the sea at the con
fuence OF the rivers Spa. Wayai ant
Plcherotte. It Is one OF the lovelies
spots OF western Europe. Few know
that 1t is the oldest watering place
OF Europe. and that it has fiourishet
for 400 years. having been the favor
ite resort OF some OF Europe's mos
renowned sovereigns. Beyond al
thia Sna has its "raisOn d'etre" In IL