European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - May 12, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse $ an m a r i no top a View of the capital of san Marino from across the Valley. Left Goards armed with crossbows right a painting of 19thcentury italian Patriot Giuseppe Garibaldi and a dress from his wife in the san Marino government museum. Demonstrated. That government founded on Republican principles is capable of being so administered As to be secure and Neutral in world War ii the lilliputian nation provided a Haven for More than 100,000 refugees from Italy and other european countries. After the War san Marino continued to go its own Way becoming the first country to freely elect a communist government. Twelve years later it became the first to get rid of a communist regime peacefully. In mouse that roared fashion it san Marino sued great Britain for $1,120,000 for damages inflicted by a wartime bombing raid. The British saying that the bombing occurred because san Marino Lay along the Cerman Supply route into Italy offered $72,000, to which the proud Cammarinesi again replied Quot no Over the years san Marino has come up with some creative ideas for generating income. For a while it sold titles. Anyone with the Cash could buy a Dukedom for about $25,000 or become a Marquis for $16,700. V a. Quot colourful postage Stamps a portraying everything from signs of the Zodiac to comic Book characters a proved to be a bigger Bonanza. One fourth of Sari Marino s budget was reported to come from stamp sales in the Early �1940s. A then there was the time in the 40s when the entire country was rented a lock Stock and battlements a to american producer Darryl of Zanuck ask the medieval setting for his swashbuckling film of foxes. Today san Marino blends the old and new. Although half of its land is still under cultivation Small industries and tourism have become the leading sources of income. The capital also called san Marino sits atop mount Titano. It is full of narrow Cobblestone streets massive Brick and mortar towers charming cathedrals and Cren elated Walls. It also is filled with souvenir shops that serve about 3 million tourists a its size and landlocked location san Marino in t isolated. It sends teams to the olympics a a Sam Marinese Butcher once led in Rifle Competition Lor a a Day. A a a a a a a it signed a treaty promising that its ceremonial army would t use nuclear weapons and in 1992 it became a full member of the United nations. Quot we Are a Small country but we feel part of the world Quot explains Emma Rossi minister of education and president of the socialist party. San Marino maintains close ties to Italy while. Emphasizing Quot we Are not . There Are no Border restrictions and Cammarinesi use italian currency appoint italians As judges and speak an italian dialect. Quot the biggest difference Between the countries Quot Righi said Quot is that life is gentler Here. If you want to renew a License or get a passport you just go and do it. At night Here you can leave your door open and walk anywhere. Everybody knows you Quot. And knows politicians. Many of the More than 11,000 Cammarinesi who have emigrated to other countries mainly Italy and. The United states continue to participate in san Marino s elections. The government even helps pay expenses to bring Absentee voters Home. Philip Valentini who left san Marino in 1952, when he was 15, returned this year from Garden City n.y., with his wife Jeanne to vote and see old friends. Quot i like being part of this tradition Quot he says. Quot i m very proud of this . David Mazio is a Frao Lanco writer who lives in May 12, 1994 stripes Magazine 5
