Daily Yellowstone Journal

Europe's Smallest State.

The smallest state in Europe—six square kilometres—is the territory of Moresnet, between Verviers and Aix-la-Chapelle. It contains rich zinc mines, which are worked by the Societe de la Vieille Montagne. In 1815 a commission was appointed to fix the boundary line between Prussia and the Netherlands which was agreed upon on every point save as regards Moresnet. Each country claimed the zinc mines, or an adequate indemnity. It was finally resolved to consider the miserable tract of land, which contained only squalid huts near the mines, independent and neutral. Since then the condition of the territory has greatly changed. It contains at present 800 houses, nice, well-stocked shops, and the inhabitants are quite well to do. The territory has remained neutral, and is patriarchally administered. The village lies in a lovely valley, which boasts of a pretty lake and the ruins of an old castle of the time of Charlemagne; and the denizens of Verviers and Aix-la-Chapelle frequently repair thither on Sundays to make jovial over a glass of wine. This idyllic 'republic' has of late established a post-office of its own, which issues postage stamps of a value of 1 to 50 pfennige (a treasure trove for philatelists!) and over the entrance of which stands in big letters the name of the almighty ruler of the state.—American Register.