New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-09-06
LIKE MONTE CARLO.
Want to Haze Gaming Tables at Al
tenberg. 4ndOrrd and San MarinO.


or all the dangers that beset those small
/ States Of the Old World which owe their ex-
istence and their independence either 10 the
jealousy or else 10 the tolerance OF their power
ful neighbors. there are none more grave than
the temptations held out to them by the owners
Ct public gambling establishments who. driven
from each OF the bigger countries in turn. are
e1deavorfng IN every direction TO secure some
point OF vantage and some foothod. such as they
enjoy for the present. and possibly for a few
years longer. at Monte Carlo. II is only by the
most solemn pledges that he will decline 10 re-
new the concession sold 70 the gambling house
firm OF Edmond Blanc. Constantine Radziwin
and Roland Bonaparte that the Prince Of
Monaco has avcrted the loss Of his principally
and its annexation 10 France while AItenberg
which is also known Moresnet has Just for
feited the independence which II has enjoyed
for nearly a hundred years IN consequence Of its
having aroused the indignation OF the neighbor-
ing powers by granting concessions for public
gambling establishment on its soil TO those
gambling house owners who have recently been
expelled by the Belgian Government from Os-
tend. spa and Namur-
More even then san Marine and Andorra has
Altenberg existed by the tolerance Of the ad-
joining States. In fact it may be said TO have
owed lis origin 10 an accident. namely. 70 the
wording OF a diplomatic document. The mistake
arose IN connection with Article XIV Of the
Treaty Of Vienna. which dealt with the de-
Limitation OF the Prussian and Dutch frontiers.
Commissioners were appointed 10 settle the con
troversy which arose concerning the matter,
and finally il was decided that the territory in
dispute. comprising an area Of about thou
sand acres. with a population Of about three
thousand. should remain neutral territory. be-
however. retaining a species Of suzerainty over
this smallest OF all republics. which until now
has been subject to the rule Of its Burgomaster
ana municipality OF ten duly elected members.
The people OF Aitenberg lived peacefully and
coutentedly. free from the obligations Of mill
tarv service. from onerous taxation and from
political strife. until a few months ago. when
the expelled gambling casino owners from Os-
tend and from spa entered into negotiations
with the Burgomaster and his council From
financial point q view the offers made were OF
the most tempting character. The price which
the gamblers were willing 70 pay 20 the munich
uality for the privilege OF establishing public
tables was sufficiently large 70 admit not only
Of the repeal OF the tax OF 81 a head which the
inhabitants had paid until that time. but like
wise gave promise Of furnishing each Of them
with q small annuity. They accepted the terms.
and within the last few weeks large casino
has been erected at Moresnet. where gambling
OF the most public and undisgused character is
in progress without interruption by day and by
night Situated al a small distance from the
direct line OF railroad from Brussels 10 Cologne.
and barely twenty minutes by train from AK
Ia C-hap4ile the Altenberg casino naturally pre-
SCENTS urrivaIled attractions and advantages TO
the gambler. and 50 great has the scandal been
caused BIZ the fortunes which have already been
souandered al the tables that Emperor William
has decided 10 interfere. He has accordingly
intirnated 20 the Belgian Government which.
after the Brussels revolution OF 1890 became in
vested with Hollands rights Of suzerainty over
Altenberg. that he is disposed 10 renounce al
claims and prerogatives with regard thereto
for q merely nominal sum Of money 10 Belgium.
provided the latter viii annex the little State
md extend 20 u the new and extremely drastic
laws against gambling recently enacted by me
Belgian Parliament. This oIer has been &C
cer-e6 hy Belgium. and arrangements are now
lr progress for the Incorporation OF Altenberg
into the Kingdom Of Belgium
Emperor Williams action IN the matter meets
WITH general approval. for his cession OF his
tights in connection with Altenberg 70 Belgium
siiences ali objections that might have been
"a SEA by foreign powers had Re seized the ter
fforv n hile lis strategic advantages TO the en-
Tfre are so furnitesiInal that his subjects would
cheerfuIly abandon them sooner than permit
the establishment or TIE very borders OF the
errrlfre Of q second Monte Carlo. entailing the
min u thousands OF their sons ana daughters as
well for women form a very large percentage
Of those who sQuander their fortunes each year
al Monte Carlo
other warning 70 san Marine and AndoTTs- Two