Iditarod pioneer., 1914-08-22
GEORGE FRED WILLIAMS
 TELLS HOW IT HAPPENED

New York, July 15.-George Fred Will Hams former ambassador to Greece and Montenegro, whose resignation recently was requested by President Wilson because of attacks on the Albanian government has sent a statement from Athens to tn New York American, explaining what led him to Gcnounce the "murderous government of Prince Wied of AIbania'
 He said that after Albania was set aside by six European powers 8 commission of international control was appointed and in trusted with the control over the admins trative and financial affairs of the govern ment, while the powers searched for a prince to head the nation.
 He said that when Prince William of Wied was agreed on a farce of government vas begun which would have been the fun niest exhibition of international incompe- tency in the history of diplomacy had it not turned into a tragedy.
 He said the prince immediately dismissed the commission and appointed a ministry consisting of landlords pashas and bays Then, he said, began the ''mUr1ering of an innocent people by German prince, sup ported by the powers of Europe"
 Williams, in his statement, denies that he resigned at the request of President Wilson.
 Williams then told of his trip to Albania, and describing his attempts to stop the mUr- dering of Mohammedans, adds: 'I came to realize the whole affair, from the six powers down to the minister, was a mass of hypOc- risy, humbug and dishonesty"
 There was one dreadful reality beyond my chamber window,' he continued. "Fu- silIades of musketry and the booming of cannon greeted my ears Men were dying before my eyes l found that the Prince of Wied to protect himself against the Mos lem insurgents, had brought down 2C50 Catholics from the north.
 T found also that he was fighting the Christiaas of Enrus with the Moslems of Eal0na; that he had set brother against brother, so that he might have his title as ruler I found that the prince was in hiding m the palace, protected by marines that he did not dare eTen review his troops before they went into battle.
 My heart sickened at the shedding of the tl~od of the Albanians that this silly dog fancier might wear Q crown, and made Up my mind to devote myself to vrec!.ing his usurpation. I went to Cal ona and stirred up the people to declare independence.
 T took means of reaching the contending forces and showing thcr the folly of butch ering each other that all might be enslaved I began my work to get the various sec tions of Albania to unite in cantonal form and create federation for mutual defense
 T have some splendid helpers whose worl, | shall disclose when it is further advanced issued in Athens broaGsida attacking the whole scheme. All Greece responded with enthusia&m and l was welcomed as the founder of a new diplomacy of free dom. Even the Epirus president declared that if Epirus got her freedom it was due to the American minister. Military officers have offered me their fealty and l am now in communication with the insurgents and Catholics who arc fighting for Prince Will liam at Durazzo.
 This very day the Epirote assembly meets to adopt CT reject the Corfu agree >uent to which l am opposed. It will be defeated CT postponed. Of course had to re gn as minister of the United States, for could net plot against the SIX great powers of Europe and hold my place. This defense less Albanian nation is attacked by lot ot raycnous monarchicaI wolves.
 Thanks to my experience in United States politics, 1 am a good wolf hunter.
 Let all ny weIl-wishers rejoice that thi. Work has fallen to ne. 1 g,ory in the sup pert which came from the United States ,yhen Greece and Poland were struggling for liberty l. Al52rja to be 9 Greece or Poland We shall see"