THE REBELLION IN ALBANIA

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2121, 13 April 1914, Page 6

THE REBELLION IN ALBANIA

The Powers appear to bo doing: their utmost to prevent the war in ; Southern Albania from spreading, ati'l PBisicb William ot_Wie&, who now occupies the Albanian, throne, is evidently anxious that the beginning of his rcigia shall not bft marred by war with his -neighbours though he is naturally determined bo takri over the whole of the territory placed under his rule by the Powers. including Bpiyus, which is now in revolt against i-ho new regime. Th> < sympathies, of the, Epirotcs are with i Greece, aiicl they wore thrown into ; state of despoti-loftey when it was tc. centjy anhousced that the Greek troops were to ho withdrawn. At that time the Greek general urged them to accept Albanian occupation in-the interests of the Motherland, and they agreed to do so,' but declared t-nat they would have to leave j tk>3 ■country, fhe loss of Epirus Was a bitter Wow to Greece, but it Was found impossible to resist tho pressure of the Powers, and tho inevitftblis had to be accepted. The Athens correspondent- of the London Times states that the Epirote Greeks, alone among the citizens of the AlbMtiatt principality, by teasem of their higher civilisation, have outgrown tho feudal state, and deserve sympathy in their struggle for protection against their historic eiienjies. The situation became serious towards the end of February, and a good deal of fighting has taken, place since then, but fte latest information indicates that the Government will probably be able to suppress the rov.olt at an early date, 'the ljewest kingdom in Europe has now fairly started on its- career under Prince WituAM, who has tt.sfi&eiilfr task before him. Those- wHo kaow him say tfeiifc he has plenty of courage, afid this should help to. make him popu* laf among the warlike- jaeople -over whom he lias, begun to feign, Sβ is jboth a soldier and a seholai , , and is I said to hare tho qualities-which go [ to make a successful rnter and leader of men. Hrs is described as a;big,, broad-shouldered., heavy-framed Gfcr- • maa, with more claim to Teuton I seriousness, solidity of character, and strength of intellectual power and will purpose than any, Gallic. ' elegances. The-Prince is faged with the responsibility .of -organising a new kingdom, and bringing order out of t:haos. His people- have to ha civilised as wall as governed, aad if he proves himself equal to the arduous task he has uiulei'take-n at the request of the Powers, his nariic will bfieoae associated in the history of his country with that of the patriot ScAtffrfcßßEG, who in tho nftec&tV century declared the intlepe-pdenes of Albania and successfully resisted tho conquering Turk. :