SILVER JUBILEE

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 22, 27 January 1938, Page 27

SILVER JUBILEE

ALBANIAN FREEDOM

THE INFLUENCE OF ITALY

A NEW "COLONY"

The capital of the little Albanian kingdom has been beflagged and en fete for the, four-day celebration of its twenty-fifth year of independence, observance of which opened with * the booming of a 101-gun salute and a speech by King Zog, both of which were broadcast, writes a correspondent from Tirana to the "Christian Science Monitor." The rjiniversary, which brought thousands of people from mountain hinterlands to the capital, was the declaration of independence from Turkish rule, November 28, 1912.

King Zog, resplendent in gorgeous plumes and medals, appeared among his people. Soldiers marched in excellent order down the streets; military bands played, and the crowds applauded. School children and youth also paraded; receptions 'were given; artistic productions were exhibited, national songs were sung. And yet, as Albanians are only too well aware, the independence they won from the Turks, by organising a revolt with such vigour and success that the remainder of the Balkan peoples followed suit and practically put an end to, Turkish rule in Europe, was for them merely transference from one autocracy to another, with subservience to new Powers.

On the very day that liberty was so eloquently commemorated, the Italians opened a new bank in Tirana. They already own and contrbl the Albanian National Bank and through advisers direct the new Agrarian Bank. Most of the new State buildings in Tirana were erected with Italian money under the direction of Italian architects. The new statue of the Albanian hero,1 Skanderbeg, is to be built by Italians. ARMY AND AGRICULTURE. The' army instructors are Italians. The i agricultural advisers, •'[, also.* An Italian firm has an exclusive right to Albania's chief agricultural exports. The best-conducted "and: most ..profitable farm enterprise;, in Albania is Italian: Italians have the chief fishing rights and a concession for the copper mines.

Only Italians are extracting oil from Albania, They alone can sell oil in Albania, and automobiles, are the only means of locomotion here, there being no railroad. Italians rebuilt the first harbour, Durazzo, and by means of a fortified island completely control the second harbour, Valona. Economically and politically Italy dominates Albania;

Italy's Foreign Minister Ciano, on his visit to Tirana early in 1937, adopted so domineering a manner .that' Albanian chieftains ujere hot slow to show their resentment.: So*1 you may ask, why celebrate independence?

That is the external situation. The internal situation is also anomalous. A young Albanian, tribal chieftain rules Albania. He is a dictator. The Press is not free, nor are meetings, nor is political agitation. This young mfln, King Zog, maintains an armed force of 8000 to 10,000 men and through them Imposes his will on the country.

In many parts of the country ho is far from popular. Some of the men about him, who are called his "favourites," are considered corrupt, and are highly unpopular throughout most of the nation. ( •'■"" " ' -■ -" "A little native dictator dictates to Albania, according to the .dictates of a big Italian dictator!" you may exclaim, and add, "Isn't Liberty Day a travesty?"

One answer might, be,> it is a tragedy, but riot a travesty.' In other parts of Europe, liberty is-in a tragic situation. However, these dark features are only part of the picture.' Another point of view is that; Albania needs Italy's financial help. Albania is desperately poor and cannot yet;support its State machine. AIDED BX 'ITALY. Out of a yearly Budget of 26,000,000 gold francs (about £2,150,000) there is a deficit of nearly 6,000,000. That is a fourth of the current Budget, not to mention expenditures for special needs. Without help from somewhere the State officials, teachers, officers, and'police could not be paid, roads could not be made, schools built, nor harbours constructed.

Without money from outside, the Albanian State would collapse. Italy gives the money and naturally demands something in return. The economic world rests on loans. The lenders and borrowers both profit. Albania has profited'from Italy's aid. If Italy can 'get oil from Albania1 .where other; companies have failed, Albania may be gratefuL If Italy can I turn ■ unused, unexplored copper deposits into paying enterprises, Albania 'will gain. And if the Bank of Naples : gives life to native trade or crafts or industry, the Albanians need not feel itoo hostile.: . , " ■

Albania is a-sort.-of colony; that is the price of progress and could not be avoided. - The nation itself in. its feeling toward Italy is absolutely independent. There is no: subserviency. King:'. Zog's services also are very great. He is, certainly, a dictator. He runs the Albanians. But without him there would not be a stable Albanian State. IVlodern Albanian history really begins from the time he seized complete control.

King Zog gives all nis time and energy to his country. He spends half the year in a very modest villa by the sea at Durazzo, and, the rest in a limited royal comrjound in humble Tirana. If. one compares, King Zog with any. pasha •or tribal i chieftain in Albanian history, the;'.cbmparisqn will be favourable to King'Zog. His: regime has practically put an end! to tribaFand family feuds. * ; :■•::*'

The King has given impetus to the advancement of.women..; Progress is slow, because th.e.;Albanians are mostly Moslems and are highly conservative, i Police control "is more efficient and is becoming steadily; less irksome to the people. There is less police interference and supervision. Travel now is as free from obnoxious delays by the police as in any other Balkan land. THE BOURGEOISIE. A bourgeoisie has been formed. There is now a group of educated officials army officers, police functionaries, teachers, contractors, merchants, and house owners whose prosperity and place in society depend on a. stable State. Their loyalty has been transferred from a tribal, feudal chief to the Albanian kingdom. '; ;

Schools have been' improved. There has been cultural progress; and there are attempts at agricultural, advance. Communications are vastly superior to those of a decade, ago.

One who understands all the conditions cannot but rejoice in what has been accomplished. Albania has a right to celebrate the anniversary of the inauguration of a.national State; It is still in the process of being built up. Liberty isj still onlj a promise. But it is a promise nearei fulfilment than ever before in Albanian history.

A statue of Skanderbeg, fifteenthcentury Albanian national hero, which was to have been a feature of the jubilee celebrations, willbe displaced temporarily by a fountain in Tirana's main square, says another' message to' the "Monitor.**