The Calumet news., 1912-07-15

the most densely populated
country In the world. 1t con
sists practically of one large
town, though this In itself Ii
divided into old Monaco. lying round
sweeping shores of the bay OF that
name. and Monte Carlo proper, the
pleasure resort on the high eastern
promontory OF the bay. The whole
place is dominated by the great white
establishment o. the Societe des Bains
de Mer, as NJ. Blanc chooses to call
his gaming house.
The principallty is, theoretically. an
entirely Independent state, with its
own ruler, the distinguished explorer
and scientist. the prince OF Monaco.
1t has tiny army of about 126 men.
a navy consisting OF royal yacht
and a couple of auxiliary vessels, ana
its government buildings and govern
ment offices. clustering around the
palace on the promontory opposite to
the Casino. 1t also has national opera
house, national museums and a ma
tional picture gallery.
hC are III lnt ndpDl
position of having neither taxes nor
rates to pay. The whole principality
is supported by the subsidy received
from the great white building which
stands at the edge OF the promontory,
fronting the principal public gardens
"a huge whited sepulcher of ruined
gamblers souls and lost hopes.
But let us pay a visit to the Casino
itself. On the steps there is con
stant coming and going of almost all
the famous personages of Europe
Grand rulers and musical comedy act
resses rub shoulders under the portico
Painters and princes, authors and au-
tocrats, statesmen, merchants, adven.
turers and great ladies mix in one
heterogeneous crowd with the French
and Italian peasants who come here to
risk their little all. the savings of a
lifetime. in Il wild. vain endeavor to
find a short cut to wealth.
Only Foreigners Gamble.
Before we are admitted To the gam
ing rooms We have a little ceremony
to go through. On the left of the por-
tico as you enter is a small office, and
here we must apply for an entrance
card. Nominally, we go through the
ceremony OF being elected a member
of the Cercle des Etrangers, or For
eigners' club. vast amorphous or
ganization which alone has the right
of using the gambling rooms. The OBJ.
1ect of this is to give effect to the
Monagasque law, which forbids any
subject OF the principality from enter.
ing the establishment, law which
shows that the rulers of the little coun. |
try, while quite prepared to live on
the follies OF foreigners, take good care |
that their own people shall not be /
entrapped by the temptation in their
midst. All we have to do. as a matter
OF fact, Is give our full name and ad.
dress, and state our age, because no
person under years of discretion is
admitted. We are handed a card
which admits us to the rooms.
The first time we walk across the
great entrance hall to the glass doors
OF the gambling rooms we are scanned
by a whole posse of international de.
tectives. as well as by attendants OF
the Casino Itself. trained especially.
and selected for their ability to re.
member faces. This is the first and
only time we shall have to show our
card. uniformed official, who looks
at 1t, scans us closely, and within a
minute or two every one of those do.
Iectiyes and attendants knows our
names and faces. II message or
note be sent into the rooms for us n
will be brought straight to us without
A moments hesitation.
AS we approach the swing doors wa
ire scanned by two attendants. whose
special duty 1t Is to see that persons
using the Casino are decorously dress.
I'd; and II we be Britons We sbau
be pulled up short for bav.
ng our trousers turned up. To most
people this appears ludicrous reeu.
alton; but 1t has very good explana. {
ion. as Its object is to prevent the 4
of swlndler "accidentaIlvp {
brushing money of the tables on the I
'hance OF two or three pounds falling {
nto the hem of his trousers. a trIo1
which was frequently resorted IN ,n
the arly days OF the Casino.
When finally We are through tho ,
doors we find ourselves In a series 90 ,
decorated and brilliantly Il, .
aloons. Coming In from the brillian,
the effect of the artificial
light Is bizarre In the extreme. Tha :
'lace is crowded with richly dressed /,
eell-to-do people. gathered IN cIos =
hrongs around enormous green bai1a =
ables. Raised above them ON bIsh
hairs at each side of the tables ar
he chefs-de-partie, or controllers .,
he play at the table
here is strange sub;aed a.mo.