The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1912-12-06

the Balkan peninsula, ano
few sections of the continent
of Europe are less well known in the
western world. The Balkan wal
cloud Is familiar enough, having ap
peared and re7appeared at intervals
for years past, yet few people know
why there should be trouble in the
Balkans. Today we are face to face
with real conflict, the very existence
Of Turkey is at stake, and even Eu
rope may be engulfed in war. In the
very center Of the conflict are the AL
banians. But who and what are the
Albanians? Well, Albania is prov
|ince of Turkey situated to the north
Of Greece, on the eastern shore Of
the Adriatic sea. i
It is probably the least-known re
gion in the Balkan peninsula, and
compared with the other countries II
that part of Europe. it has been but
little explored by travellers, with the
result that it's wild and fearless in
habitants, who number some 100000
retain, to a large extent, the print
tive habits and customs of bygone
age.
The country is extremely mountain
GUS, especially in the north and
south. There are no railway lines
though several have been projected
and the development of commerce is
retarded accordingly. Carriage roads
exist in few instances, but generally
travellers have still to pass one place
to another by means of bridle-paths.
The inhabitants, who are one OF the
most ancient races In Europe, are di
vided into two divisions, northern
and southern, known as Ghegs and
Tosks. Both have ever been brilliant
fighters, defending their mountain
Businesses in the past with remark
able success against all invaders.
Retain Original Customs.
Retaining their original customs
and language, the Albanians present
marked difference from other races
in the Balkan peninsula. Sir Edwin
Pears In Turkey and It's People
gives an interesting description OF the
Ghegs and the Tosks. He remarks
that the Ghegs are noted for thei1
square heads, refined features. and
usually light colored hair; whilst the
Tosks have heavier cast Of features,
with darker hair. Among both, how
ever. are beautiful heads. which re
call those of classic Greece. The
characteristic dress OF. the Ghegs Is q
waistcoat, jacket and breeches. each
close-ftting, of white material, us
ually resembling tweed cloth. braided
with black. That Of the Tosks Is the
long white pettieoat. known as the
dastanella. which the Greeks who EN-
ploy big numbers Of Albanians as sol.
diers, have taken for the uniform OF
the kings guards.
In northern Albania the clan sys-
tenn still exists, and the Ghegs very
rarely pay taxes. The scattered Turk
,sh officers possess little authority,
and the one obligation the inhabitants
owe to the Ottoman empire 10 that OF
nroyiding soldiers In time OF war. In
each clan the elders form q council
and preside over gatherings OF the
tribesmen, which exercise the supreme
legislative power. Loyalty to the
chief of his clan, and to his work, is
the Albanian's greatest virtue. An In
born courtesy is common to the race.
The best fighter Is the best man. and
every Albanian feels himself indepen-
dent, except when bound by the an
Gent customs of his race. In northern
Albania he recognizes no law except
that based on such ancient customs.
The Turk until recently has hardly
attempted to impose any other law.
Whether in the field or the market.
place, he Is nearly always armed. and
Is ready to fight on the smallest pre-
text. The boy attains manhood when
he can show he possesses arms which
he has captured from an enemy. All
f,re the rifle a. sign Of JOY and