Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-05-24
new ALBANIA AND NEW EPIRUS

from his thou ghfs TO dig an abyss he
tween the two elements Of the popula-
uon oestined to live together In Albania.
created by Europe.
No one would listen to NJ Biographies
Wnen II was yet time. The Epirotes and
ne count now upon bringing to a ciose
oy victory or by death. the combat
which he neither sought nor desired He
VIII do all possible to avoid a catastrophe
at Argyrocastro, but as for the Villages
which revolted and fired into the backs
or the troops of the Epirotes he viii
punish them without mercy, because such
Is his duty toward those who have cor
fided in him.
But II NJ. Biographies has been discoiir-
aged by receptions there are moments
when he is Illuminated by enthusiasm.
His life is sacrifice for principle, and
for this he has become a revolutionary
who for a fact holds the respect Of both
friends and enemies
1t Is not often that one finds himself
in the presence of a revolutionary who
has the appearance of a philosopher
rather than combatant II NJ. Zogrs-
phos has accepted the chieftancy of this
Epirote movement. II is because he is
Epirote by birth and profoundly attach
ed to the soil of his ancestors. He Is In
dignant that the i-ellenes of this country
should have surrendered without defense
to those whose culture Is primitive and
whose customs are barbaric. The domi-
mating idea of NJ. Biographies has been
and physical forces of the Hellenic popi.-
lations of northern Epirus
Since the declaration of Independence
OF March =. 1914. the policy OF NJ. Zogra-
phos has remained un.
Follcy OF changed. His purpose
A,4. has been to obtain from
0y' Prince William. either
by persuasion or by force, the recog
milton of the national rights of the Epi-
rotes. The government OF NJ. Biographies
recognizes not only the sovereignty OF
Albania. but also the unity OF the new
kingdom. There is no question of the
political autonomy for the Epirus or
other privileges that the Albanian sover
eign could not accord without creating
regrettable, even dangerous precedents.
NJ Biographies asks only for administra-
tive autonomy. He wishes that the dis
tricts of Argyrocastro and Korytza should
form single province under the direction
of governor belonging to a third nation
neutral, having as aid a diet or general
council elected by universal suffrage. a
council of at least fifty members The
gendarmerie should be purely local For
questions of languages and schools VI.
Biographies stands on the principle already
recognized by Italy and Austria in the
note addressed Athens.
Albania should abandon all idea of mill
tary occupation of the Epirus. The gov
eminent Of Epirus autonomous would
retire and give place to the new au-
thorities. NJ. Biographies expressly
served the right to submit the result OF
the compromise to the Epirotes, and moth
ing would be signed definitely without the
consent of the population. 1t is under
stood that the conditions here enumerated
would be changed radically il Albania in
place of treating automatically should re-
sort to violent measures. The moderation
of NJ. Biographies has its limits. On the
field Of battle he would formulate de-
mands of another character
The authority of NJ. Biographies for the
moment Is very great and his popularity
is immense. correspondent from whom
I learn these details knows NJ. Biographies
personally. He recites the story Of his
meeting with the distinguished Cheikh
Jauerbey, Mussulman. who protested
for NJ. Biographies the highest regard and
esteem. Jauerbey. with tears in his
eyes. deplored the act of the Mussulman
who had haSely attacked the Epirotes at
kourvelese and Liapouria.
The military and economical situation
Of the Epirus is favorable. Every day
volunteers arrive from all parts OF
Greece, and foreign countries as We'll.
Money also Is received. accompanied
often by the most touching letters. NJ.
Biographies expresses confidence and re-
fers with satisfaction to his modest little
government. IAN improvised state whose
just cause may accomplish things which
may aStonish those who may not be
aware of the evolution which Is going on
in Epirus.'
The powers are not unmindful OF this
evolution, and there is small doubt that
the recent visits of NJ. Venizelos to the
capitals Of the interested states were in
spired by the Greek premier's duty to
submit to each situation which neither
Italy nor Austria had considered possible.
That Albania might ultimately escape
them-be redeemed by Epirotes-was an
idea that Had not yet dawned upon the
brains Of the ministers at Rome or al
Vienna 1t was due to the prescience OF
NJ venizelos that Epirus is destined to
count as an important factor in the crea-
ton of Albania.
That the Epirus was an important part
of the conversations at Abbazia is mani
tested by a proposition of an entente Al
bano-Epirote, which promises to secure
independence for Albania and satisfac-
ton for Epirus. To this end the powers
propose a modus vfvendi between Duraz-
20 and Argyrocastro. The sine qua non
of this proposition. 1t goes without say
ing, was the removal OF Essad Pasha
from the political play. in which he had
made himself the principal pawn.
The dominating idea of this PROPOSE
ton. which is due to the genius of 70
graphos and Venizelos.
Albania and is that the Albanian state
Unity. and at the same time
preserve to the Epirus its present ambi-
tion of home rule To this end II Is pro-
posed:
First, that for northern and central
Albania and for southern Albania and the
Epirus council is established for each
at Durazzo with legislative. administra-
tive and executive powers.
Second, the two councils may be united
as a council of state to treat questions
of exterior policy-such. for example. as
military and financial questions-and each
to be represented by one Of its mem
bers in the ministry. The members or
each of these councils will form a court
of appeals and are elected in proportion
to the population, with a guarantee or
the rights Of minorities.
Fifth, the great powers will be respor-
sible for the organic acts OF these coun-
ellis
The most difficult question. perhaps.
is that of the official language. The
languages being Greek. Albanian or
Koutzo-Valaque. On this point 1t has
been decided that:
There where the minority represents al
least a third Of the population that
part will furnish a third Of the func-
tionaries speaking Greek and AL
bantam. The language of the admins
tration will be Greek. In all that con-
language of the Epirus is to be exclusive
~ Creek In IFS relations with the min