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Show FRANCE WILL TAKE CONTROL OF THE PRINCIPALITY OF MONACO Republic Will Absorb Famed "Kingdom of Chance." Washington. Plans for the transfer to France of virtual control of the principality of Monaco, glittering "Kingdom of Chance," on the Riviera, are being discussed in their capitals, Paris and Monte Carlo. The proposed change would affect chiefly the tax iltuation. Monaco citizens, heretofore untaxed because contributions from the famous gaming casino were sufficient suffi-cient 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 prin-cipality of Monaco has been one of the most artificial of states," says a bulletin bulle-tin from the National Geographical society. "Chance give It its riches. Chance has reversed Its fortunes. Bigger Big-ger 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 in scores of big cities, are now more ornate than the gilded rooms of Monte Carlo's famous casino. Amusements Are Varied. "Long before the depression broke the bank which no player had conquered, con-quered, Monaco had come to offer such a variety of amusements that 20 tennis courts, down between the mountains and the rock peninsula famous fa-mous players stimulate an emulation which makes La Festa club a favorite rendezvous. Bathing is so lengthening lengthen-ing the season that summer has many devotees. Into the Port of Hercules come the spotless yachts of many nations na-tions and, just outside, huge tourist steamers await the return of their guests before setting out once more on the path of the modern pilgrim of pleasure. "Few visitors to Monte Carlo have known whether they were in the tiny principality or In France. France did nothing to emphasize the transition, and the law of competition triumphed over politics so far as the casual visitor vis-itor was concerned. Monaco is today so full of tourist palaces, commercial hotels and pensions, that those who like the climate, the sports and the amusements of the place need not wait for the return of fortune to the gaming gam-ing rooms she formerly favored. Life Gay Under Any Flag. "Monte Carlo is a beautiful, clean, peaceful resort. Even in the old days the streets were often quiet by nine. Once the theater and ballet or opera crowds had entered the garish portals of the combination casino and theater, Monte Carlo was quiet until the brief hustle of taxis at the close of the performance. prosperity will doubtless return. On the Mont Agel golf course players can alternately drive toward the snowy iummits of the Alps Maritimes and the matchless blue of the Cote d'Azur. On "Monaco still has Its devotees, many of whom will be glad to linger on in a beauty spot where man helped nature na-ture 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 under-write the finances of the tiniest of states. The Invisible, and usualy ignored ig-nored boundary will slide down from Beausoleil to include Monte Carlo and the Condamlne. It has even been suggested sug-gested that the high rock of Monaco, old Phocaean fortress, may be brought under a military tricolor. "But these would be minor changes, of which the average visitor would remain re-main ignorant If the sun continues to brighten the world-famous terraces, If while-bodied yachts once more anchor an-chor in the Port of Hercules, if the tennis champions of the world meet on the courts of La Festa club, if warm beaches attract their share of bathing beauties, if shiny motor cars come to halt between casino, and restaurant to win their beauty prizes, the principality of Monaco will continue con-tinue its gay, artificial life of leisure and beauty." |