REVOLT IN ALBANIA

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21191, 14 August 1940, Page 6

REVOLT IN ALBANIA

Although it is difficult to obtain reliable information, there is evidence that Albanian tribesmen have been revolting against their Italian masters. Providing the uprising can be confined to Albania it may not cause Italy very much anxiety, for Italy has the ability and the opportunity to suppress the activities of so small a population. There is, however, a possibility that the trouble will spread to Greece, since a section of the Albanians are demanding the return of the province of Ciamuria, which was annexed by Greece after the Balkan war of 1913. Italy has warned Greece against alleged acts of terrorism, including the assassination of an Albanian irredentist. Anxious to avoid embroilment in the Balkans, Italy has denied that any revolt has occurred in Albania, but the warning to Greece is admitted. The trouble is said to have originated through Italy’s foraging for food supplies in Albania and attempting to force the Albanians to join the army. The tribesmen objected to both demands. They notified Italy that they would not supply food and that they would disobey the mobilisation order. Upon the application of force the Italians are said to have suffered 100 casualties. In itself the Albanian revolt may not be important, but what Italy fears is the spread of the trouble among peoples who are prone to seize any excuse to avenge wrongs of the past. Italy is apparently attempting to use Albanian “nationalism” as a weapon to secure the return from Greece of Albania’s lost province. So long as the motive power appears to come from Albania, Italy will feel reasonably safe, but the disguise has been proved to be too thin and Greece is awake to the danger. That being so, Italy may warn and bluster, but is not likely to press the issue against Greece in the meantime, well knowing that behind Greece is Turkey. Any disturbance of the Balkan situation at the present time would be dangerous, and Italy knows it. Therefore it is probable that Mussolini will in the meantime confine his attention to the crushing of the revolt in Albania. Together with many other ambitions in the Balkans, the recovery of Albania’s lost province can wait until Italy is sure of her strength elsewhere.