Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-06-28
American Minister to Greece
Resigns, Knowing He Will
Not Be Upheld.
HIS Statement CREATES
SENSATION IN ATHENS
Full Text of Explanation Gives
Inquiry Into Atrocities
in Epirus.
Special oablegram to The Star.

Special Gablegram to The Star.
ATHENS, June T.-The public state
ment by George Fred Williams, United
States minister to Greece and monte
negro, in relation to the rebellion IN Al
bania against Prince William OF Wleo
has created a tremendous sensation here.
The brief extracts cabled to the United
States have not contained the most IN
teresting points in the statement the
full text Of which makes 1t clear that
Mr.. Williams. realizing that the United
States government would not approve his
acts has already resigned his office as
minister.
Some clue to the acts referred 10 IS
contained in Mr.. Williams assertions:
Il will not conceal the fact that 1
have taken measures which promise to
unite the people of Albania under can
tonal FORMS" and Il hope to be 1nstru-
mental in saving one whole section OF
the country from destruction
Full Text Of Statement.
The text of Mr. Williams open state
ment. as supplied by him, follows:
In the week ended June g. as minister
of the United States to Greece and Mon
tenesro I represented to my government
that conflicting reports concerning afro
cities in Epirus and misunderstanding
between the provisional government OF
Epirus and the international commission
of control at DurazZo led me to believe
that disinterested investigation by me
would help peace and save human life.
Il was therefore authorized to visit
nj P0nditinnC
. also to communicate with the interna-
tional commission. My mission was COM
munfcated to the Greek government and
TO the diplomatic corps at Athens.
Il was eagerly welcomed by Provisional
President ZographoS at Argycastro. He
and the Holland officers on the Albanian
side furnished me with every facility for
investigating the wrongs practiced by the
soldiers at Kodra and elsewhere. I left
Epirus feeling assured that no further ex-
cesses would be tolerated.
President Zographos also laid before me
all the documents. concerning the negoti-
ations for the acceptance of the Wied gov
eminent, and I was allowed to take
copies of them. : proceeded to Durazzo
fully conscious that my facts were essen
tial-to the International commission and
that President Zographos would welcome
any fair basis of adjustment
Not Received by Commission
Arriving at Durazzo I sent a mes
sage to the commission that without de-
string to intrude upon their duties I
came possessed Of the situation and
placed myself at their disposal. The
message was not presented to the COM
mission at its following session. and l
received no answ1r l learned that 1t
had been decided beforehand that 1
should not be received.
Mr.. Zographos was suspicious that
the conference and protocol Of Corfu
I-tl kv- rf,e p,tceIo
to secure peaceful possession of Epirus
without the promised international guar
antees. The action Of the commission
and other evidence which 1 possess sat
correct.
II thereupon began personal inter
views with various persons high in
authority. including commissioners,
prince, medical and naval officers,
Christians and Mohammedans.
Il had treated my business seriously.
and the union of six great powers to
constitute a government in Albania.
Il uncovered at Durazzo an epochal
scandal of anarchy, incompetence. hy-
pocrisy and murder. Its panorama was
visible from my chamber window. the
princes palace, guarded by foreign ma
rines. being on the right. the six war
ships OF the powers lying at anchor in
stretching out on the left. from which
came the sound of musketry moving
down Albanians with Albanian bullets.
Government of Armed Foreign Force
My arAt effort was 10 find the Al
banian government. l found none ex-
cept the sfx warships. and they were
silent. I took opinions the accord Of
London. Every one agreed from Its plain
reading that It created no government
except one Of armed force from abroad,
hEcha he or,fh uyar oil
oring.
Five ostensibie governments were in
sight First, the six great powers with
all the power; second. the commission
and finance: third. the Holland gend-
armerte with control Of the military;
fourth. the prince without any powers
remaining: fifth. the ministry with no
Each one Of these governments was
lighting every other. saving the first.
which apparently is so discordant within
itself that 1t has abandoned all the rest
TO their fate. All are cursing the powers
for their discord and helplessness and
are expecting at any moment to be
driven out Of Durrazzo.
Il found state of anarchy. and that
the sovereignty OF Albania remains
where it belongs, in the people of the
country. / found a prince. calling him
self king. with no powers, no terri
tory and no subjects, except his wife
TT was at this point that / deter
mined to take upon myself the re-
sponsibility for the statement, which
the United States government cannot
and will not indorse. l doubt not that
my government will be as much
shocked by it as will be all diplo-
matte authorities.
People Murdered, He Says.
Il am impelled to this statement b,
two considera tons. First that the peopl.
of an inoffensive nation are being mur
dered in cold blood: second. that the so