New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-12-27
MUST QUIT ALBANIA
American Missionary at ElbaSan
Receives Summary Notice.

Receives Summary Notice.
The American Board Of Commissioners
for Foreign Missions has just received
a despatch from the American Consul at
Salonca 10 the effect that the Rev c.
Teford Erickson, It's missionary at FL
basan, in Albania, has received ten days
notice to quit the place. This order
touches America I'm a tender spot. Some
years ago a stranger appeared at the
board rooms who announced himself as
an Albanian hey. lie asked audience with
the secretary and announced that he had
come to get teachers for his people.
When told that this board sent out only
missionary teachers. who carried the
Christian message, he declared that he
knew that-that II would make no differ
ence. His people were only nominally
Mohometans; they were originally Chris
tians. They wanted the learning Of
the West, no matter how il might deal
with religion. lie appealed 10 free Amer
lea. with all her resources and advan-
tages. to help him and his people, strug-
CLING for freedom and for light.
James l. Barton, secretary OF the
board. CHANGED to tell the story OF this
strange visitor at n missionary confer
ence, where II so impressed one OF his
hearers that she with another friend was
led TO give t25,0O to spread over i've
year term in founding new work among
these two millions OF Albanians. Two
married missionaries. the Rev. L. II.
Kennedy and the Rev. G. +. Erickson.
were found to undertake the pioneering
and we're assigned to two important cen
the latter at Elbasan.
Driven from Tirana.
Mr.. Erickson indeed was first placed
at Tirana but was driven from there by
the persecution OF the New Turk party
| and re-estabished himself and family AZ
Elbasan. There he has held on sturdy.
once being arrested and transported 10
Monastir. whence after wearying delay
and negotiations he was allowed to de-
part His efforts toward permanent es-
| tablshment-the securing Of a mission
| compound q residence school, etc.-have
been blocked by the Turkish government.
which claimed for military uses the land
that had been purchased. and only after
| long and patient pressure refunded the
cost and allowed another location 10 be
secured.
/ Forced TO live in a native dwelling, OBJ
[ structed az every point OF advance living
1
wild alarms, this missionary family has
stuck 20 its post, hoping for better days
and a fsirer chance. That such hope was
not unwarranted appeared when upon a
recent visit TO TiTana, whence he had
| been driven out, Mr.. Erickson was re-
| CeiveG by the head men with profound
| cordially. They welcomed him 10 the
| town urged him to settle there ana
loaded him with demonstrations Of re-
gard.
Just as tho recent war OF the Balkan
allies against Turkey was opening. the Sc
| rious sickness Of his eldest son compelled
| Mr.. Erickson TO take the boy where he
could have surgical attention. An I'm
| provised stretcher. borne on mems shout
| ders. carried the youth in n rushing tour
of two and half days 10 Duraz,o on the
coast. whence they left for Lausanne. The
desperate operation proved fatal The
lads strength. worn by weeks Of violent
| illness and enforced travelling, succumbed
10 the strain. Mr.. Erickson thus was left
free 10 hurry back to Mrs. Erickson and
the three smaller children.
| Arrested on SUSPICION.
| Reaching Durazzzo he was arrested on
suspicion (of what he could not learn
! and put under guard. being allowed TO
\ talk with no one nor to communicate
with his wife, from whom he had heard
nothing for eight weeks. After three
days OF imprisonment. spent in vain In
terviews with officers looking toward
some settlement of the case, he managed.
| by the help OF the boy who brought him
his meals, to slip a letter past the guard
telling the officers Of the board of his
plight. The letter closed with these brief
| words:
| Don't worry about me: it's all in the
| days work, and must end sooner or later.
| They have nothing 10 hold me on here"
| Apparently they had not. The cabled
dispatch would indicate that he was re-
| leased and reached home at length, only
| TO be ordered away from Elbasan. thus
fulfilling the Durazzo officers words that
| he would not be allowed TO live I'm the
! land at the present time-that the country
was So unsettled no missionary work
could be done or permitted.
IL seems impostible that an enterprise
| so valiantly begun. into which life and
| treasure have been poured and which had
for its sole aim the blessing of that hardy
Albanian peope-a brave. patriotic and
eager race of men-should come TO defeat
by the simple order to be gone. Acquainf-
ance has been made. lines of approach
opened. some confidence won. II seems
as though. with the prospect OF an auton-
omous Albania. now was Just the time
for her TO welcome and utilize every friend
of liberty and light. II is hoped that
better counsels may prevail and that the
settlement of the Balkan troubles may
leave Albania open TO the Christmas It'd
ings OF peace and good will.