The Washington herald., 1912-11-19
D'Abruzzi and Albania.


Now that the issue OF arms may be
taken as virtually decided in the Bal
kans. leading European papers begin
to concern themselves with the issue
of diplomacy. We are told that this
difficulty also has been faced by the
allied powers. That is the more easily
believed. because ever since the treaty
of Berlin, Balkan statesmen have been
occupied with this problem Of ultimate
partition.
Sir Charles Dixie who knew the
subject as few others have done. stated
in "FortnightIy Review article sub
sequently included in his Present
Position of European Politics" (rSS7J
that before the deposition OF Prince
Alexander. OF Bulgaria "a Battenberg
and near kin to the British royal fam
ily) the Greek Minister, Tricoupis, had
concluded an arrangement with the
Bulgarian government for the delimi-
tation on a map OF the respective
spheres OF influence OF Greece and Bull
garia in Macedonia. This was count
ing without the other two powers who
have been allies in the present enter
prise which to-day bring partition full
in view
But to-day a difficulty presents il
self which complicated the issue in
1873 and I8SG-thc disposition Of Al
bania. The Albanians are separate
people, and European people possess
ing a strong sentiment Of nationality
Sir Charles Dixie. who was at the
foreign office las under secretary to
Lord Granville) during the first year,
OF Mr. Gladstone's administration. had
TO deal with the claims OF Greece and
of Montenegro under the incomplete
settlement of 1873. The plan which
he proposed in 1880 was one to which,
in 1887. he still adhered as offering a
satisfactory solution, namely. autonomy
for Albania. subject to a personal
union with Greece under the King of
the HelleneS
In his opinion the complete HELEN
ling of Albania would have a rapid
and easy process. because the Southern
Albanans are not only largely Greek
in religion and dress (they wear the
Greek fustanclla), but are Greek also
in their customs This last point is
OF supreme importance, for this hardy
breed OF fighting men is well able to
make It's own voice heard in the de-
cision of its destiny In 1879 they show
cd violent aversion TO coming under
Montenegro rule. and successfully &c
sisted all original proposals OF Euro
pean diplomacy. Montenegrins arc rela-
lively new corners in that part OF
Europe. whereas Greece is not only 4
great name, but name familiar to the
mind of the Illyrian peoples since the
dawn of European civilization.
Albania well might consent to be.
free under the hegemony of Hellenic
government. If this were SO. a crucial
difficulty would have been removed on
honorable terms. We have read a good
deal lately about making the Duke OF
the Abruzzi the ruler of Albania, but
this seems to be pure guesswork, as
offering the throne of that country to
a relative of the King of Italy could
be as little acceptable to the sturdy
mountaineers as coming under the
scepter of Montenegro. seeing that the
King of that little mountain fastness is
the father-in-law of King Victor EN-
manuel, who in turn is the first cousin
TO the Duke of the Abruzzi (who is
well-known to Americans as the al
legged sutton of Miss Katherine Elkins.
wherefor no doubt it would be greatly
pleasing to many among us TO see him
made a king and then offer his royal
hand to our accomplished country
woman)
Rut he has LITTLE If any chance