South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-06-15
CAPITAL T0TTERS
BEFORE ATTACK Of
ALBANIAN REBELS
Government of Prince William,
Newest in Europe, Likely to
Be 0verthrOWn Unless For
eign Aid is Given Soon.
BULLETIN.

DOhALLO, June lD---AlDduldH
rebels who attacked this city today
were repulsed in a battle that ragged
for l ) hours.
During the greater part of the
fight the defenders were led by
Prince William, of Wied. the new
king of Albania, who took command
when Major Thompson, the Dutch
commander of the gendarmie, was
killed early in the fight.
Part of the time Prince William
was on the firing line while bullets
from the rebels guns dropped all
around him.
AT one time the rebels were with
in 500 yards of the city.
LONDON. June 15.-A telegraph
dispatch from DuraZzO says that sew
eral large bodies of Albanian gen
darmes we're killed in the hghting
there today and that the city will
probably be captured before night
DUJRAZZO. Albania. June 15.-An
army of Albanian rebels attacked
this city early today and fierce light
ing is now in progress.
The government of Prince William
Of Wied the newest in Europe, prob
ably will be overthrown unless for
elgn troops take hand and drive Off
the insurgents
Hundreds of residents Of the city
have taken refuge upon the foreign
warships and merchantmen in the
harbor and others have sought shelter
in foreign consulates.
Rebel forces, most OF them follow
ers of Essad Pacha. Mussulman.
have been concentrating in the noun
tains east and northeast of this city,
and during the darkness of early
morning they moved upon the eastern
OutpOsts in a surprise attack.
Heavy rifle fire aroused the city
from sleep and reinfOrcements were
Immediately rushed to the outpOsts TO
support the hard pressed regulars.
The small arm fire became incessant
at day break. and as soon as the posi-
tiOns of the main bodies OF rebels
were located, artillery was turned up
on them.
City Swept by Shells.
Bullets swept the city and shells
from the old fashioned cannon cap
tured by the rebels at Tirana, last
week did much damage to buildings.
The rebels did not regard the foreign
flags, but swept the entire city
Prince William was in the palace
when the battle broke but his friends
urged him TO go on board a WarShip.
The defenses of the city we're regard
ed as weak, and the capture of the
city strong probability.
The attack today comes as the eli
max OF an uprising which followed
the accession of Prince William to
the throne of Albania. The Alban-
ians are naturally a warlike race and
objected 10 outside interference in
their domestic affairs. They refused
TO pay taxes and the thousands Of
Mohammandens among the pOpula-
tiOn refused TO recognize Prince Will
liam because he is a Christian.
ROME. June 15.-Major Thomp-
son. the Dutch commander Of the Al
banian gendarmierie, who was given
his commission By the powers when
Prince William of Wied ascended the
throne OF Albania, was one OF the
first 90 fall in the rebel attack upon
Durazzo today. This information was
received in a telegram from Baron
AliOtti. Italian minister TO Albania.
Baron Aliotu said that the attack
began at O'Clock this morning. the
rebels making an assault in three
separate places. The fighting was
sharp and Major Thompson hurried
to the front. He was killed while on
the firing line directing the defense.
The international marines viii be
used only to defend the DurrazzO
palace. Baron Aliotti said.
1t was at first believed that the in
surgents would capture the city. but
the Albanian regulars. the gendar-
merle and the MalisSoreS fought so
stubbornly that as the day advanced.
hope grew that the rebels would be
driven of.