ARMY DISCHARGED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22193, 21 August 1935, Page 13

ARMY DISCHARGED

PRINCE OF MONACO ECONOMY MEASURE: TAKEN FEATURES OF ORGANISATION A European army which has no modern guns, no aeroplanes, no tanks and no munitions of war will shortly have no men, according to a Press Association cablegram received from Monte Carlo yesterday. The message' states that, owing to a drop in the casino takings, Prince Louis of Monaco has "sacked" his entire army of 66 officers and men. They cost the Principality about £16,000 a year, and now have been given three months' notice of dismissal. Although this army is said to be the smallest in the world, and appears to do without most of the things which justify an army's existence, it has not been stinted in the matter of medals, feathers and gold lace. It has all the trappings to swell the military chest when on parade, but no 'powder, and apparently no money, in the locker. In spite of its fine raiment, the army of Monaco is not altogether like the traditional South American army, an army of generals. It appears, to judge by its shoulder knots; to be content to be an army of aides-de-camp. Its members, however, wear helmets worthy of generals, for they are adorned with a brave show of coloured feathers. The Principality of Monaco is a protectorate of France, and is surrounded, except on its Mediterranean coastline, by the French Department of Alpes Maritimes. The Government is carried out under the authority of the Prince, at present Prince Louis 11., by a Ministry assisted by ai Council of State. The legislative power is exercised by the Prince and the National Council, which consists of 12 members, elected for four years by universal suffrage. The territory of the Principality is divided into three communes—MonacoVille, La Condainine and Monte Carlo —which are each administered by a municipal body, elected Iby. vote. The revenue is derived mainly from the gambling tables, which are worldfamous. The area of the Principality is 370 acres, and the population at the 1933 census was 22,153. The principal exports from the territory are olive oil, oranges and perfumes. It also produces, according to the figures in yesterday's message, one soldier to every five and a-half acres.