New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-10-15
ky WIPED OFF NM
MD THE MAP. IN
moresnef independent European State Behaved Badly
in Shelterine Smugglers Gamblers, and
So Incurred the Penalty of Extinction

Although the Boer republics in South Africa
and the kingdom of Madagascar, well as
Furn1ah, have disappeared from the map of the
world as independent states within the last
twenty years or So yet so long a time has
elapsed since a European state wiped out
of existence that the fate which has just over
taken the tiny republic of Moresnet calls for
more than mere passing notice. In fact. it is
necessary TO go back to 1870. when the Papacy
was deprived of its temporal sovereignty and
when its dominions. including the city of Rome
were absorbed by the kingdom of united Italy.
to find q parallel for the annexation of Moresnet
by belgium
Aforesnet a. an Independent state dated from
the Treaty Of AiX-la-Chape!le, and is said to
have been indebted for its existence to either
faulty charts or else to ignorance and careless
ness in connection with the negotiation of the
treaty at the conclusion Of which it was
found that an area of territory bordering the
frontiers of Prussia had been overlooked An
additional agreement was therefore made &C
cording 10 the terms Of which Moresno- ~-hich
Is considerably less than a thousand in
extent was declared to be neutral. and was
later on placed under the joint protectorate of
Prussia and Belgium, while the inhabitants were
authorized TO form a sort of republican govern
rnent
The very existence Of the latter was ignored
by the general public until two three years
ago. when AIoresnet attracted good deal Of
unenviable attention TO itself by taking ad-
vantage of its independence to offer a refuge to
the various owners OF public gambling estab-
lishments who had been driven out OF Belgium,
and in particular from the scene of their profit
able operations at Ostend, Spa and Namur, by
the drastic laws enacted by the national legis-
lature at Brussels. despite the opposition Of
King Leopold All arrangements were made
between the tiny republic and the gambling es-
adjustment owners to convert Moresnet into a
second Monte Carlo; hotels were erected. casinos
constructed and gardens laid out in the most
approved fashion. when, moved by public lndlg-
nation the governments Of Prussia ana OF
Belgium. as the two suzerain powers suddenly
interviewed and prohibited any further execution
Of these designs under the threat of driving out
the gamblers by a force. not of troops, but OF
German and Belgium police and Of aboshing
the fndependence Of Moresnet. The latter had
no alternative but to yield, the anticipations OF
its people of the advent of a golden era Of pros
perity we're rudely dispeled and the hotels ana
casinos which had been constructed for the ac-
aomrnodation of gamblers from all parts or the
world. remain to this day unoccupied' falling
into decay. a sorry reminder TO the people of
the erstwhile' republic OF the futility OF their
dreams.
The negotiations between the Prussian and
Belgium governments made necessary by this
selot action to prevent Moresnet from develop
10 tato another Monte Carlo had the effect Of
ding to a discussion by these two powers as
10 the policy of the elimination of the little re-
public from among the independent states Of
Europe Offering IS Il aid refuge TO offenders !
against the civil al -riminal laws of both !
countries. as wei ONT Of vantage for |
smugglers. it had become source of much an |
noyance and trouble TO its big neighbors, and !
its action in placing its territory at the dis |
posaI Of the public gambling house owners. |