Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1913-05-01

To understand the exact position of affairs
have to remember that the natives of this little
kingdom, the Monagasques, are really Italians.
They demand a constitutional government and
the dismissal of all French dignitaries and Off
Gals, and the closing of the Casino. They point
out that all the official posts should not be given
to the French, and that the Casino is only
gambling hell that benefits the and the
French syndicate who it, and else
The prince is certainly in predicament On
the one hand he wishes to satisfy the Casino au-
thorities, and the other to make terms with
his subjects. The Casino syndicate point out to
him that they possess his charter granting them
permission to run the Casino which does not ex-
pire till the year 194S; and furthermore, that
they pay him the prncely income of $250,000
year, making nearly S1,000000 a year with the
bonuses he is entitled to- True, the prince him.
self never CANDLES, and devotes large share Of
his income to science.
But his subjects say that the money is gained
by gambling, and demand reform
II the Monagasques have their way, they will
speedily put end to the agreement existing be
tween the Casino authorities and the prince, on
the ground that the contract is invadated by
it's immortality, according to the jurisprudence of
every civilized country, and also because they
argue that no sovereign, be he absolute monarch
or constitutional ruler has the right to turn over
the control of his domnions to a public gambling
syndicate concern against the wishes of his peo-
pie. or to sacrifice the good name of the latter,
and to cover it with worldwide infamy, for the
sake of his selfish personal gain
The leaders Of the revolutionary movement in
Monaco are convinced that If once they get rid
OF the public gaming tables, and of the French
element more less connected with it. which
now fattens on the land, Monte Carlo and in
fact, the entire principality will become as
reputable a winter resort as Cannes Mentone and
other places along the Riviera. and that they will
attract visitors who will stay and spend their
money in the district, instead of the worlds
gamblers, who, if they win, carry off their money
to sGuander elsewhere, or, if they loose benefit
no one but the Casino syndicate.
AS matters stand, the prince is pledged
to grant his people constitutional government.
This has been virtually forced upon him. The
people went up to the palace and demanded 1t,
and the three or four score of police in the en-
ploy of the syndicate were powerless to stop them.
But because the prince has promised reform he
has lost favor with the Casino authorities who
are extremely annoyed that he should promise
reforms without consulting them and seeing their
rights are safeguarded
The question many people would naturally ask
here is: If the Casino at Monte Carlo we're
closed, how would it affect the Riviera resorts
generally? Would they maintain their popularity
and draw those fashionable winter crowds? So
far as climate, beautiful scenery and natural at
fractions concerned they have little to fear.
Nice, AIentone, and Canens have more than treb-
led themselves in size during the last five years
so