Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-05-01
ALBANIA AND TURKISH REFORMS.

The instruction in Albania is serious
and corroborates what has already been
said under the head Of
Serious Albania's' aspirations for
Revolt. s,a.a anror,ned that
Gems Chefket, Torghut Pasha and Mar
shall Mahmoud Chefket Pasha had met
to discuss the plan of campaign. which
was Immediately acted upon by the dis
patch Of troops to the scene of conflict.
Later dispatches from Vienna announced
the massacre OF Turkish prisoners; that
| the Albanians "aimed at the re-estab'ish-
ment of Abdul Hamid and the overthrow
Of the Young Turk and the parliamentary
regime
On the 18th instant the government
was interpellated on the Albanian aues-
ton. when the Albanian deputy. Muhd,
violently criticised the expedition sent to
Albania last year under the orders Of
david Pasha and characterized the lat
ter as tiger" The ministers of the
interior and war protested against the In
suit to the general and this was followed
by an indescribable tumult.
The grand vizir, while paying tribute
that it was necessary to maintain oruer
in Albania because the position of
Turkey in Europe would otherwise be
shaken and the interests Of the Albanians
themselves compromised.
M Rene-Pinon has shown us in the
Revue des Deux Mondes one side of the
Albanian 1.-The man who follows his GUS
toms and depends only on his gun" The
other side Of the medal is presented by
NJ. Raymond Racouly, who introduces us
to the Albanian by citing the popular AL
you construct your house at Ipek never
place a window on the street; II at
Prichtina you may place one on the first
floor; II at Prizrend one the ground
floor with strong iron barsr'
X X
At this moment insecurity and disorder
are SO great in all Albania that windows
are not considered neces-
General stiles In any house any
r,s.orr;+1, floor These mountain
AnsoouAAtJ' GERS are a bad lot; that
which they call their liberties or privi-
leges is simply the right to Cypress
others. The wretched Christians in the
Balkans never suffered so much as under
the tyranny Of these ferocious fanatics,
who were formerly Christians themselves,
converted to Islamism with the unique
object OF satisfying their desires for vio-
lence and pillage.
Who does not remember what the AL
bantam was under Abdul Hamid, who.
relying upon him to commit any act Of
despotism or atrocity, granted him par
ticular rights and privileges? 1t was from
these cold-blooded assassins that the
sultan recruited the greater part OF his
pretorian guard, to whom was reserved
the best and most lucrative posts, and
this, indeed. has become an ancient ira
ditioE of the Osmanh sovereign. The Al
bantam was courageous soldier, an
adroit official and one of the best auXil-
iaries of the sultan's despotic power. all
of which Is we'll portrayed by Cahun In
the romance Of "Harsan, the Janissary."
Victor Berard has described in books the
degree Of AFFECTION and misery to which
the Albanians reduced the SerVlans. From
their fortresses in the hills they descended
into the plains in the spring in order to
fix the taxes, in the autumn to collect
them. He openly defied the Turkish Of
flcials, and these, because OF the protec-
ton afforded them at Constantinople.
were obliged to support their arrogant
insolence AS rule. the Albanian was
an acknowledged power and because OF
the sutans protection the Turkish Of
fetal. who generally is a quiet, well dis
posed person and honest. was overawed
bantam whose atrocities have brought
discredit upon the Turk.
X
The Albanian was the first to manifest
a spirit sof revolt against the regime OF
justice, equality and fra
First to ternity inaugurated by
the new government of
1Io'eSS' the Young Turk. m
view Of the difficulties of another nature
with Crete. and, above all, with Bull
garia, it was not possible to settle with
the Albanians. The improved relations
with Crete and Bulgaria, the visits OF
Ferdinand 1 and Peter /. following the
Austro- Russian agreement. afford Tur-
key an opportunity to punish Albania.
| and Turkey is Just now engaged In that
work, and will undoubtedly carry it out
| with vigor.
ne Turkish government has actually
| in Albania thirty-four battalions, more
| than an army corps, which is amply
sufficient for the repression OF the revolt
The government will proceed upon new
methods entirely There is to be a CEN
sus of the population: cadastral survey
O. the land; taxes regularly and justly
imposeu; the law of recruiting equitably
applied, and the citadels RACED to the
ground.
former regime from that Of the Young
Turk may be understood when 1t Is
announced that Albania Will be Obliged
to pay taxes. Albania. which heretofore
has been untaxed. Albania is to be
submitted to the most scientific methods
to make her a respectable member OF the
ottoman empire.
The recent visits of the soverelgns of
Bulgaria and Servia to ConStantlnople
may serve as an indication that the Aus
trian policy in the Balkans has had the
effect of making Turkey the protecting
power of any Balkan confederation. The
Tanin, organ of the Turkish committee,
said: 1.-The independence of Servia should
not be cause of luminosity between
two near nations. The past should
serve as lesson in foresight. We hope
Servia in the future will be our devoted
friend and act within the sphere of Otto
man policy. Since the annexation of Bos-
MIA Herzegovina we have common
enemy.
The visits of the two sovereigns is in
terpreted in Europe. as in Turkey. as
counter blow to Austria's interference in
the Balkans and that Turkey is to be
given the controlling influence. supported
by the protective power of Europe. M.
Milanoyitch said it is recalled the wind
is now behind the Slav ship of state
And the minister may now add behind
Servians. Bulgarians, Montenegrins and
Turks alike
The stability of the Young Turk is thus
unexpectedly assured 1t is another Of
the surprises to which diplomacy is con-
tinually subjected. That army should
have revolted and achieved the liberation
of a people is remarkable. All the more
no. n 20