The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-12-28

May Lay Aside Half Measures
and Declare That Country
Italian Territory
Needed to Foil
Austrian Intrigue
Expressed Policy of Rome as
Regards Albania Mocked by
Rebels, Under Prenk Bib
Doda, Their Leader

Rome. Dec. 27.--Italys expressed
policy as regards Albania mas been
Knocked by the acts of Albanian rebels,
according to dispatch received from
Durazzo tonight. and Italy may be
forced to take over the whole
province, as she has already taken
Avlona. in order TO Toll the intriguea
of Austria.
There is a rumor that Prerk BIB
Doda, at the head OF a victorious army
of rebels. is now the head OF the pro-
visional government of Albania, and
that Essad Pasna, who was proclaim.
ed provisional president by the AL
bantam Senate, and who is Italy's
staunch friend, has fed TO Servia.
The reports are so conflicting and
contradictory that only one lact II
definitely apparent--Albania is in an
uproar OF revolt very dangerous TO
Italian interests. Ii is completely
understood here by the most patriotic
statesmen that the situation across the
Adriatic cannot be permitted to en-
dure much longer. At the risk OF be-
coming a participant in the general
war, Italy. it is believed, will take q
firm stand in Albania.
Other Rumors.
1t is not altogether certain that
Essad Pasha has fled and that Prenk
Bib Doda Is in control of the govern
ment. Another rumor is that Essad.
after fortifying Durazzo, arrived ~
Kroja and is now marching with N
army of $4,000 men against 4 rebel
force concentrated at Trania. Prenk
Bib Doda's headquarters IL said to b.
Scutari, which will be the capital Of
his provisional government.
italy is In an excellent position to
take drastic action. Marines hold thu
city of Avlona. and the island Of
Saseno. guarding the mouth OF this
harbor. is In italian hands Further
more. lying at Avlona are the Italian
battleship Sardegna and cruisers Etna
and Piemonte. which are holding
landing parties in readiness for any
contingency.
There is excellent Information to
the effect that Italy has notified the
powers that Italy has determined to
enforce unconditional respect for thu
of the London confer-
ence in connection with Albania. and
will not tolerate the slightest attempt
against the territorial INTEGRITY, inde-
pendence or neutrality of Albania.
Italy will not allow a change in the
government, and will prevent the in-
habitants of Albania from participate
ing in the war.
There Is positive authority for stat
ing that the present revolution was
provoked to create complications, but
IL the revolution produces acts against
the arrangements laid down by thu
London conference. Italy will exercises
complete liberty of action toward the
restoration of order. Other signatory
powers to the London conference may
not display interest in the Albania
crisis. but Italy feels that very positive
action is incumbent upon her.
Unless all signs fail. the set of cir-
cumstances which are specifically
mentioned by Italy as beyond tolera-
ton have been produced by the revo-.
luton. Prenk Bib Doda is a very able
and popular national figure. and will
be no mean opponent for Italy II she
decides that her duty requires her to
take over control of the Albania state,
an act that Prenk Bib Doda. as \
friend of Austria and bitter oppon-
ent of Essad Pasha, would hardly ac4
cept equally.
There is intense interest displayed
here in the new Albanian crisis. Many
persons believe that the muddle Of in
trigues and ambitions-Austria and
Turkey endeavoring by every trick and
maneuver to belittle and destroy
Italy's infiuence--must sooner or later
require Italy to cast aside half meas
ures and declare Albania Italian ter
ritory Possibly that time has come.
Notifies Powers.
Rome Dec. 27.--I am tnforme4
that the Italian foreign Office has noti-
fed the powers that Italy u deterss
mined that the deliberations OF me
London conferences In connections
With Albania shall be Internationally
respected, hence she will not tolerate
the slightest attempts against th0p&er-
ritorial integrity, Independence OF
neutrality of Albania, will not allow
a change OF government. and will pre-
vent ale inhabitants from participate
ing in war.
The present revolution. the note
continues. obviously was provoked u
create complications, but unless tho
are avoided. italy WIN
exercise complete liberty Of actlo4
toward the restoratfon OF order. de-
pite the lack of interest OF some o.
the signatory powers Of the LondoA
conference.
More Cruisers Sent.
Avalona. Albania, Dec. Al fva4s
Rome)-The italian cruisers EtnAA
and Piemolte are here. In addition ~
the battlesai,p Sardegna. Additional
landing parties are In readiness CO..
help but absolute calmness prevails.
Particulars of the revolution ar4
lacking Essad Pasha. the Providon1e
al President, after terrifying DuraN8
20. has arrived at KruJa, and - n01
advancing on Tirana with i3.ee
troops. WI