Neutral Moresnet, a Brief Story




Until the end of the First World War, there was a fourth state called Neutral Moresnet that was also in for the dispute of the Vaals.

This tiny territory had gained its neutral status in the beginnings of the XIXc. - 1815 - because of their own mining industry. At that time, both the Prussian Empire and the Kingdom of Netherlands wanted to keep trade with the zinc spar exploitaton in Moresnet, so the decission was to make it a neutral territory so neither of them would have advantage over the mine production.



Life went on in Moresnet until 1885 when the mine came to depletion. Zealous of their own privileges, the inhabitants searched for other means of preserving their status. They opened their own post office, coined their own currency, and established a casino in 1903 when game was being banned in the neighbouring countries.
None of the ventures seemed to be of the liking of Prussia who, since the depletion of the mine, had expressed their intention of annexatng the territory, for the initial deal was of no use now.

As their last atempt in the series, the people of Moresnet tried a most ambitous venture. Dr. Willhelm Molly suggested Moresnet could become the first Esperanto-speaking state: Amikejo (friendship place). In spite of their neutrality Moresnet lacked nationality - an identity - and the people weren’t allowed to move freely. Dr. Molly's proposal succeded amongst the people, yet Prussia was already making a move.

It didn’t take long until Moresnet was invaded by the prussians during WWI, and would finally became annexated to Belgium with the end of the war in 1919.







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