BAVARIAN VISAS

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 140, 14 June 1924, Page 16

BAVARIAN VISAS

TOURISTS FRIGHTENED AWAY BY" COMPLICATIONS.

The discovery by the Bavarian Passport Department that it is costing the Government more to maintain the multifarious ramifications of red-tape surrounding the whole business of passports than the income derived for the Treasury may result in the abolishment of the special visa or the very material curtailment of the trouble connected with remaining in the State, -states the Munich correspondent of the " Christian Science Monitor." -Btfvaria, with an ominous set of regulations and procedures inpassport matters, has frightened thousands of foreign tourists from the State and Munich. In fact, so severe has it been. in. its dealings with, foreigners that even the American Government has issued warnings to American tourists/to avoid the State.

Obher nations have . done likewise, with the result that a tremendous fall-ing-off in the tourist trade resulted last year, while at the same time adding to the cost of maintaining the whole passport system. Hotel-keepers' and business men, especially art dealers, issued n, protest last summer, but it was ignored by the Government. Jvow comes the passport department with the information that owing to the falling-off of the passport business without any diminishing of. the cost of operating the agency, the outgo far exeseds the income. This state of affairs has aroused the powers that be, and there is considerable' talk about abolishing the special visa and exorbitant taxes, demanded for Rentering and passing a few weeks in Bavaria.

The fact that the State is kiiown to be preparing to revive Uio Wagner festival in Bayreirth next summer may have something to .do with the sudden discovery of the tragic statistics and the Government's- willingness to be interested in. lessening inconvenience to the foreigner. The festival was suspended this year. It lias been' an annual summer event, and for many years past- a most celebiated one in music circles. All the gi-eat Wagner and many other operas are produced, with the great " stars " of the Continent taking part in the performances. If the event is to take place again next summer, one of the first steps that will have to be taken will -be the easing up of passport regulations in the' State. . •