Smyrna times., 1933-01-11
FRANCE TO TAKE
OVER MONACO
Republic to Absorb the Famed
Kingdom of Chance" on
the Riviera
HAS 8 SQUARE MILES

WashingtOn-Plan for the trans
fer to France of virtual control of
the glittering principality of Mon
AGO, glitering Kingdom of Chance" i"
on the Riviera, are being discussed
in their capitals, Paris and Monte
Carlo. The proposed change would
affect chiefly the tax situation.
Monaco citizens, heretofore untaxed
because contributions from the ia
nous gaming casino were sufficient
to meet the principality's needs,
would pay the regular taxes of
France.
Eight square miles in area, and
with more than two miles of coast
line touching the bluest of seas, the
principality of Monaco has been one
Of the most artificial of states, says
a bulletin from the National Geo
graphical society. "Chance give it
its riches. Chance has reversed its
fortunes. Bigger gaming activities
elsewhere and other amusements
have robbed Monte Carlo not only
of its profits but also of its lure.
Moving picture palaces, open to all
4 in big cities. are now more ornate
than the gilded rooms of Monte Car
4 los famous casino.
/ Amusements Are Varied.
'LOng before the depression broke
\ the bank which no player had con-
/ quered, Monaco had come to offer
/ such a variety Of amusements that
4 prosperity will doubtless return. On
/ the Mont Agel golf course players
! can alternately drive toward the
snowy SUBMITS Of the Alps Mari
times and the matchless blue of the
4 Cote d'Azur. on 20 tennis courts,
down between the mountains and
/ the rock peninsula famous players
stimulate an emulation which makes
/ La Festa club n favOrite rendeZ
/ vous. Bathing is 50 lengthening
the season that summer has many
devotees. Into the Port Of Hercu-
les come the spotless yachts Of many
nations and. just outside, huge
tourist steamers await the return
of their guests before setting out
once more on the path Of the mod
ern pilgrim OF pleasure.
Few visitors to Monte Carlo have
known whether they were in the
tiny prfncipality or in France.
France did nothing to emphasize the
transition. and the law of competi-
ton triumphed over politics so far
as the casual visitor was concerned.
Monaco is today so full of tourist
palaces, commercial hotels and pen
sions. that those who like the eli
mate. the sports and the amuse-
ments Of the place need not wait
for the return Of fortune to the
gaming rooms she formerly favored.
Life Gay Under Any Flag.
"AIonte Carlo IS beautiful. clean,
peaceful resort Even in the old
days the streets were often quiet by
nine. Once tile theater and ballet
OF opera crowds had entered the
garish portals Of the combination ca
sino and theater, Monte Carlo was
, cuiet until the brief hustle of taxis
at the close Of the performance.
"Monac0 still has its devotees.
. many Of whom will be glad to linger
Oh in a beauty spot where man
helped nature to an unnatural
charm. even if they have to pay
. taxes. IF France should swallow up
, the principality it would mean that
big nation will underwrite the
finances Of the tiniest of states. The
invisible, and usually ignored bound
ary will slide down from Peausoleil
to include Monte Carlo and the
Condamine. 1t has even been sug-
gested that the high rock of Mon
AGO. old PhOcaean fortress. may be
brought under Il military tricolor.
"But these would be minor changes
l of which the average visitor would
remain ignorant. If the sun contln
ues to brighten the wOrld-famOus
terraces. If white-bodied yachts once
, more anchor in the Port of Hercu
les, if the tennis champions of the
: world meet on the courts of Ii
fiesta club, If warm beaches attract
their share of bathing beauties, Il
shiny motor cars come to halt be
tween casino. and restaurant to wiz
4 their beauty prizes. the principal
: Itv of Monaco will continue its gay
artificial life of leisure and beauty