New-York tribune., 1913-09-23
GREEKS SEIZE AMERICAN
SCHOOL IN ALBANIA
State Department Believes This
Act Will Raise important
Diplomatic Question.
PROTEST WILL BE MADE
DR.. and Mrs. Phineas Kennedy,
of New Jersey, in Charge of
American Board Insti-
tuition at Koritsa.

Vienna. Sept. 22-The Greek authorities
at Koritsa. in Albania. to-day seized the
American mission school there where in
struction is given to nearly one hundred
Albanian girls. according TO a telegram
received here from Avlona. the principal
seaport OF Albania, on the Adriatic Sea.
They have also arrested and prosecuted
large number OF Albanians who recently
returned TO Koritsa from America and
other foreign countries, releasing them
from detention only when the Albanians
had promised TO join In the agitation for
the Incorporation OF the district in Greece.
The British Consul at Monastr has en-
tered a vigorous protest with the Greek
government on behalf OF the Americans.
The whole affair forms part Of the
Greek terrorization of the Albanian pop
ulation. with the object OF compelling
them to agree 10 the inclusion OF the
whole of Southern Albania in the king
dom of Greece.
The mission is IN charge OF Or. Phineas
r. Kennedy, a native Of New Jersey, who
was educated at Princeton In the educa-
tional work he is assisted by Mrs. Violet
B. Kennedy. who also conducts the La
dies Literary Society. whose object Is TO
give the elements of education TO the
women OF Albania.
Washington. Sept 22-S,nte Department
officials said to-day that the reported
seizure Of the American mission school at
Koritsa, Albania. by Greeks would raise
an important diplomatic question, as the
status of American institutions I'm AL
bania has not been determined under the
new territorial delimitations growing out
Of the war between the Balkan allies and
Turkey and the later conflict among the
allies themselves
Under a convention with Turkey. made
when that nation exercised sovereignty
over Albania, Americans. in addition 10
their rights under treaties OF commerce
and travel were given extra-territorial
rights, which protected, among other
things. educational institutions.
No official report Of the seizure Of the
school had been received to-day. but the
State Department IS prepared TO protest
10 the Greek government vigorously for
the protection Of Americans and their
property in Albania under the new po-
litical order. IL was pointed out in diplo-
matte quarters that the great European
powers Will do whatever might be neces-
sary TO guarantee American rights IN the
Balkans as they have ever since the first
outbreak Of hostilities. a year ago Brit
ish consuls have been solicitous for the
rights Of Americans. especially In Asiatlc
Turkey. and before the arrival Of the
American I1g
fish and Russian men-of-war offered an
asylum TO any Americans who feared FOR
their safety.
This attitude Of the powers has had the
effect Of keeping the United States out OF
the Balkan tangle
Dr. Phineas n. Kennedy aroused tho
hostilities OF officers OF the Greek army
because Of his relief work among the Al
banians and was ordered 10 abandon the
mission at Kortsa in May. having been
accused Of being a spy. according 10 let
ters received by his relatives here. Dr
Kennedy protested his innocence. urging
the purely humanitarian character OF his
work, but he had TO leave, barely having
time TO pack his belongings. He and his
wife went to Constantinople and then 10
Zurich and London. Later they went
back TO the Balkans. The Rev. Or. Louis
Bond. OF Plainfeld. who is the father OF
Mrs. Kennedy. said that the Kennedys. In
spite Of their dangers In the past. were
about 20 try 10 make their way back 10
the mission. This is the cause Of some
concern on the part OF the missionaries
relatives, IN view of the recent develop
ments, and the American Board OF Com
missioners for Foreign Missions (Congre-
gationaD, which controls the school at
Koritsa. has been urged to advise the re-
turn Of the Kennedys 20 this country.
Mr. Kennedy's relatives are puzzled at
the action of the Greeks. In view Of the
fact that prior 10 his eviction from the
mission. in May. DR.. Kennedy had been
on terms of friendship with Prince Con-
stantne, who Is now King. The latter
supplied the American missionaries with
food and clothing and afforded them pro-
lection against the aggression OF the
Serbs.