The New York herald., 1879-12-17
MONTENEGRO AND ALBANIA.

RUSsIA'S PROPOSAL THAT THE POWERS SHOULD
INTERFERE AT GUs1NJR-AUsrRIA DECLINES
LEST WORSE CONFUSION SHOULD FOLLOW.
(Bx CABLE TO THE HERALD.1
LONDON, Dec. 10, 1879.
Official confirmation is given to the report
that Austria, in reply to the Russian circular
to the Powers, has declined to participate in
collective action at Constantinople for the set
tlement of the Gusinje affair, on the ground
that it would create new difficulties. Mukhtar
Pacha has sent a despatch announcing that he
has convinced 5000 Albanians of the necessity
of the cession of Gussinje TO Montenegro. In
view Of the explanations of the Porte Russia
has withdrawn her proposal for collective action
to secure the cession Of Gussinje.
HOW THE INTERESTS OF THE ALBANIAN LEAGUE
ARE ToucHED-AII BEY, THE WILLIAM TELL
OF GusINJE. 4
The district which the Porte purposes to cede to
Montenegro consists. In addition to Gusinje and
Plavs its two chief places. Of about dozen small
hamlets dispersed along the Lin and its lateral val
eys. comprising scarcely 5000 1000 inhsbitants
BY far the largest portion Of this population is Al
banian. connected by clanship with most Of the
neighboring Albanian clans and the territory they
what is considered Albanian land. forming the
chief and most direct line OF communication
between the portion Of Albania lying north and
east and that lying south Of the central Albanian
mountain range. The surrender of this district to
Montenegro means, therefore. in great measure. an
interruption of Albanian territory. the integrity OF
which is the primary object Of the Albanian League.
And there was man sure to do all In his power to
make the league sensible OF the common interest.
Like his ancestors before him. Ali Boy. of Gusinje.
has been all his life one of the most
trusted leaders Of the Albanian irregulars.
whether against Montenegro or on any
other warlike expedition. The Turkish gov
ernment could reckon on his appearing with
his cisnsmen at the first summons. and in recon.
pense Of his services he received the title Of pacha
At the time when Podgoritza and the Zets Valley
were to be surrendered TO Montenegro he was the
soul OF the agitation then prevailing. and It was to
be expected that he would leave nothing untried
to prevent the cession the alien of his own native
district ana the central seat OF his influence. His
efforts on this latter occasion have beon more sue
cessful than In the Of Podgortza. Bczdar Pero
vics. ordered by the Montenegrin government to
advance with six battalons and take possession of
GusinJe, finding the Albanans had prepared for re-
sistance, stopped ct Andrejewitza. lower down the
lin. tho Montenegrin government meanwhile adj
place It In possession Of what its due. meet
ing of Albanian chietans is said to have lately been
held in Gusinje or its neighborhood. where also
Albanian clans beyond that region said to have
pledged themselves to join in the resistance. The
focus of the movement" says . correspondent of
the London Tines 'has from the FIRST been
the plain OF Mctokis. with Prisrend. Djakova.
Ipek and the surrounding mountain districts, all
which places lie in the route Of Ahmed Mukhtar
Pachs. From these districts. IL from anywhere tho
population Of dusinje looked for assistance which
they see will bo inevitably cut of. The very
appearance of comparatively large Turkish force
in those districts is demonstration of an unques-
tionable character. Al rule only battalion or so
Of regular troops has been stationed in Prisrend as
symbol OF the Porte's authority. quite insufficient
however. to enforce that authority. The situation
s now. apparently. to be entirely changed and tho
incident about ausnjs is taken advantage OF to in
troduce the imposition Of the full aud substantial
authority OF the Porte In all those Districts"