The Curse of Monte Carlo.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIC, Issue 13421, 19 October 1907, Page 2 (Supplement)

The Curse of Monte Carlo.

An interesting letter in the "Times," signed "Indicus," suggests that it is time an end should be put to Monte Carlo, the plague spot of Europe. "Before- this hideous Monte Carlo tragedy ceases to be a nine days' , wonder," writes "Indicus," "I would suggest, that iu is time attention should be . drawn to the fons origo mali, the gambling rooms of that too notorious place. "I. speak as one who knows, having resided for some years at Monte Carlo, near the villa in which the Goolds rented a small flat. How long are the nations of Europe going to tolerate the continuance of this plague spot in their . midst? • "That is the question that should be agitated in the Press and Chancelleries of every European capital, avliosc gilded youth are ruined annually in scores, . for they flock" thither in ever-increasing nunir ber's solely because of the gambling facilities, mado more seductive by the beauty of the place, its gardens, and the unrivalled # oa.sino band. "The> profits, I may state, accruing, from the tables, which average 30,000,000 frs., are divided betweari the shareholders,; the municipality, and the Prince of Monaco. On the same day .the are supposed to have committed the crime with which they arc charged, there occur-, red at Castellamare the suicide of : a young English and American couple on their honeymoon who had been ruined at Monte Carlo. . '^

"The Goolds, I may observe, for I knew them, though they were not friendfi of mine, Vera the last people one. would have thought capable of shch a heinous': crime—the man easy-going and amiabley his wife, clever, proud, but obviously, bourgeoise ; but they wore rendered desperate by their losses, lor . tlic. woman ■ I used to see played daily, with her. neice, and the people who run, or profit by, the tables are morally responsible for-', these crimes, and the fjlovernments of Europe should stamp put this blot on our civilisation. ......

"President Roosevelt might, well assume the initiative in this righteous crusade, for the American plutocrats avs us prominent at the. tables "its the aristocracy of Europe."