The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1914-10-22
AN EXPERIMENT
OF MONARCHY
Albanians are a Peculiar
People.
There are Many Records Of Surrounding
Balkan States Endeavoring to Rule
The AIhanianS. Each and
Every one Have Failed.
Chdutduqud Paper By Pendennis

The idea uppermost in this brief
paper is the failure of the Powers
of Europe to establish a satisfactory
government for the people of AL.
bania.
The Albanians are peculiar peO.
pie. A people who have resisted
the efforts of Turk, Serb. Slav and
Greek to govern them.
Back into the remote past-be.
yond the record of the historical
courts of southern Europe-iuto the
dim misty obscure vale of tradition
you must search TO find the origin OF
these brave patriotic people. The
historian makes brief record OF
their beginnings. We are told that
they are of pure Aryan origin. Some
unknown force thrust them out OF
their old eastern home. There is
tradition among them of this migra-
ton. There are wise mems tales of
their flight into southern Europe, of
their battles with hostile tribesmen
and their final retreat into the
mountains of Sky Pania. Within
these mountains today they dwell
known to the world as Albanians.
In l431 the Turks ventured up
into the mountain country of the
Albanians. attempted to conquer
them, claimed possession, failed to
establish any permanent rule. Again
and again the Turks invaded, some
times holding portion Of the coun-
try; but at no time ruling the en-
tire country.
There are many records of the
surrounding Balkan States endeavor-
ing to rule the Albanians. Each and
every one of them has failed to con-
quer these intrepid people.
Left alone TO themselves the Al
banians have prospered after their
own ideals and customs. Within
them have always burned the fierce
fires of patriotism.
After the last Balkan war the
Powers of Europe undertook to de-
wise means and ways by which the
Albanians were to be ruled and
governed. Let us look into this
effort for that is the subject of this
paper-That experiment of mon
archy.
Let us see what monarchy can do
to govern people, who do not wish
to be governed. People who will
have no form of rule except such as
they desire themselves.
Monarchy went about the business
OF forming government for this
little Balkan country in an elaborate
perfunctionary manner. Monarchy
was forced into the situation by the
fact that-if some way was not
found in which to govern the AL
banians there would never be peace
in the Balkans. There would be nc
end to Balkan wars. For here was q
people who persisted IN fighting
every invader that came into their
mountains and who would form nc
league or covenant with monarchy
Monarchy vain and proud d-cen-
turles of power behind it's methods
and modes, girdled round with the
wisdom of kings could find way
devise out of its vast store of lore
plans and wherewithals, by which
70 set this one small state Alright il
the path of national peace and pros
perity.
Behold then in the year of oul
Lord 1913. the 18th day of October
the representative of Monarchy
gathered in the town of Valona tt
settle the matter. Going about tn,
business thereof in truly monarch
al manner. First organizing Com
mission with high sounding name
Instructional commission of con
troll. An excellent monarchal nam
with the word control in liking
endeavor to control-rule and reigl
People govern.
Men deeply learned in the wis
dom of monarchy were on that com
mission. Austria and Hungary sen
a consul. France got into the com
mission because while that countr,
is not a. present monarchy it ha
had geat deal of doings with kim
craft. France sent as her represent
ative M. Krajewski. curious nam
that-for Frenchman half Pole, hal
Russian a fit subject to know o
monarchy. Germany sent learned
doctor. Great Britain sent Com