Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1907-09-08
MONTE CA.PE.!...
UP ky'''7IIii1ST S
CRUSADE
WIDE MOVE TO
WIPE OUT GAMBLING
Famous Writers Organize to
Abolish Monaco'S Leading
Industry Which They Tenn
Plague Spot of Europe.

London, Sept. "A world wide cruz
sade against the gambling he'll of
Monte Carlo is about to be started
here under the auspices OF the fa-
nous novelists, Max Pemberton. Hall
Caine and Sir Conan Doyle. 1t is the
idea of these men to organize commit
tees in all the countries of tire world
to gather names for petitions To the
various governments to take steps to
abolish the plague spot of the Riviera.
Said Max Pemberton, who is an au-
thority ON Monte Carlo:
Il am convinced that the work we
are about to undertake. the suppress
sion of Monte Carlo, would prove far
nobler and of more practical value 10
humanity than the Advancement of
impossible propositions at The Hague
peace conference.
Monte Carlo is the haunt To every
adventurer and adventures in the
world 1t is astounding how many big
swindles and thefts have been planned
at Monte Carlo.
The obvious curse of the place is
that fools go there to make money
out of the tables, and rogues go there
atmosphere is most demoralzing to
young people who lose their heads,
and also all sense of the value of
money.
Another great evil is that of pure
English girls succumblng to the at
mosphere, They are often brought in
contact at the tables with undesirable
persons with whom they actually con-
verse.
"The government OF every country
Is perfectly aware that Monte Carlo
should be suppressed but the diplo-
matte situation makes action lmpos-
sible, and France, under whose pro-
lection Monte Carlo exists, Is placed
In most difficult position, but never
theless. | am sure our movement will
grow strong enough TO force the pow
ers TO act"
II think II is atroclous." says Mr.
Caine. that the conditions which are
suppressed in all the greater countries
of Europe should constitute the only
reason for the separate existence of
the little kingdom of Monaco.
Every one recognizes that the
Prince of Monaco is an enlightened
man, with no particular iove Of Monte
Carlo and its casino, and Of eoursc II
is impossible t0 ask him voluntarily
to surrender the chief soHrce of his
income
Put have not the powers Of Eu-
rope, by whose protection the kingdom
OF Monaco exists. right TO say that
the laws of Monaco shall not encour-
age a vice which Is demOralizing not
only 10 its own people but to the
peoples that come to It from across
the frontiers north, east and west2
"rhe sooner that Is done the better
for then Monte Carlo may become
what nature meant II to be--one Of
the most enchanting places In the
world.
Monaco can never be said to be
we'll governed while Il appeals TO one
Of the worst passions in humanity,
While It Is a God-blest corner of the
earth In climate and scenic beauty it
is morally the plague-spot Of Europe
1t is the rallylng ground of the worst
criminals In the world, the most dan
gerous men and the basest women.
"The Casino could not exist an hour
II the chances were fair 1t Us not
fair. And the public knows II Is not
fair. and the profits of the casino go
on increasing.
"The casino Is also the cause Of al
most as much mental degeneracy
among the upper classes Of Europe as
drink Itself Glance around the tables
at the tired, drawn. pallid faces, and
beared and deadened eyes of the reg
uar frequenters of the place. and say
II not nine out OF ten OF them are not
plainly betraying nearly all the out
ward symptoms of soitening Of the
brain.
what wonder? on its own theory
as an honest gambling house. the
casino Is the dullest and dreariest re-
sort of humanity Of all the known
world, and In It's appeal to the lust Of
individual gain against the collective
loss ii Is only calculated to waste the
lives. 10 harden the hearts and to soft
en- the brains Of the people who haunt
it day by day Europe should pr'
down. even II the powers had to com-
pound with the Prince Of Monaco.