The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1921-04-07
Modern Lessons In
GEOGRAPHY
LILLIPUT NATIONS OF EUROPE

'IhaJ QepeHuS upOh eHS ~
from which you view the question
There are small municipalities tucked
under the wings of sheltering govern
ments, republics which W part OF
their s~uzerainty to a bishop, anc
grand-duchies," says a bulletin from
the Washington, D. c., headquarters
of the National Geographic Society
monaco, with its s square miles
of territory, perched three hundred
feet above the Mediterranean IN the
heart of the Riviera, is the smallest
principality. 1t is the best known and
the most visited, for it contains the
w%orld-noted lure of Monte Carlo.
From Hercules to Fortuna
"The little country has a checker
ed and interesting history. Its be-
ginning dates to the days OF Hercu-
les. almost 1000 years before the
birth of Christ. How paradoxical that
this hero accomplished well-nigh IN
surmountable obstacles by sheer phy-
steal labor should have been even
the traditional founder of a state
whose whole revenue is obtained
from games of chance.
'"Theodoric the Great seems to
have been the only n of the great
European conquerors who gave the
little country any respite from wars
which continually harassed it. And
his charm as a man may have been
the influence which gave the people
he conquered their tolerance Tor
those who risk their all on a gamble,
for it is said of him that he had the
most delightful manners at dice. IL
Theodore loses, he laughs; he is mod
est and reticient if he winsp
Modern figures show that the in
dustries and trade of Monaco are I'M
important in comparison to its reve-
nue. from the gaming tables. During
1913 there were nearly two million
visitors in the principality for its 23,-
600 population to take care of.
Until 1911 the Prince of the
country was an absolute ruler, but n
that wear he gave his subjects a Con-
stitution which provides for a Ma
tional Council elected by the people.
San Marine Smallest Republic
monaco has a close second in dl-
minutiveness, and a rival IN the
claim of age, in the independent Re
public of San Marine, which is the
smallest republic in the world. Sur
rounded by Italy, which respects Its
autonomy, this republic ears its 80
square miles of territory to a point
$500 feet above sea-level. It's found
er. San Marine, came from Arbe IN
the fourth century to aid the oppress-
ed Christians build the stone walls of
the citv of Rimini. Born of his desire
for peace, solitude and simplicity OF
living, these qualities have become
thoroughly inculcated in its national
character and for generations have
been reflected in its history. The ven
cradle saint taught his people that
war should be resorted to only for
self-defense.
"San Marine is governed by a
Great Council of sixty members who
are elected by popular vote. Two
of these members r appointed
every six months to act as regents,
and in such capacity exercise the ex-
ecutive power. So tranquil is the
little republic that it scarcely needs
a police force-an atmosphere IN
contrast to that created by the fren-
zied and feverish players who sit at
the tables in Monaco.
Where Smuggling Was a National
Industry
"a Lilliput republic under the
Joint suzerainty of France and the
Spanish Bishop of Urgel is Andorra.
It's 191 square miles of valley almost
ten thousand feet above the level of
the sea are tucked away in the heart
of the Pyrenees mountains. 1t is
governed by a council of tw%enty-four
members elected by the heads of
families in its six parishes. This
council dominates a First Syndicate
which presides over its meetings and
forms the country's executive depart
ment.
at is said that this little portion
of Spain which is set down in the
midst of French territory winks an
eye at smuggling. In fact, it is
claimed that during the recent war
its chief occupation was getting
things across the border into France
without duty. The inhabitants dis
cussed the practice as freely as they
would the weather. But when it is
advisable for an Andorran to keep
his own counsel he can do it, for a
proverb in the Pyrenees is Tell a
+L;,,m ~ an Audcrran sud II is lost'