The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1919-11-12
ALBANIA WANTS AN
AMERICAN MANDATE
HAS UNBOUNDED CONFIDENCE In
UNCLE SAMS ABILITY TO
PROTECT HER

|
sociated Press.) = Continued appeals
are being made by the Albanians for
the United States to assume a man
date for Albania. The Albanian has
an amazing confidence in America.
same local Albanian society or group.
addressed to the Americans appeal
ing to President Wilson to intercede
on behalf of their country.
When the Associated Press corres-
pondent was passing through a small
town south of here on horseback, he
was stopped by the mayor and local
officials who presented to him an lap
peal seeking the protection of the
United States because the Greeks were
reported to have taken possession of
the city of Koritza, in Southern Al
bania.
The Italians protectorate is in op-
GRAFTON but most Albanians profess a
distinct dislike for the Italians, say
ing their desire is merely to exploit
the country and to, retain a strategic
foothold in the Balkans. Some of them
say they Jared better and the country
progressed more under the Austrians.
American observers say the Italians
have brought great material and NOR
tai good to the country and have sta
bllized things in an effectual way.
The country is extremely primitive
and there are continual internal dis
orders. Railroads or telegraphs do
not exist, many of the most ordinary
of life are wanting, san
itation is almost unknown, schools
and churches are few in number, and
altogether the country seems extreme
~ backward. Except for the southern
part which is fairly fertile, it is a bar
rem waste of rocks and woodless hills
and mountains.
Albania produces scarcely enough
crops to support its inhabitants. The
population is upward of two millions, q
dividend about evenly between Christ
ans and Mohammedans. Only about
per cent of this number is able to
ead or write.
The women do all the work. they
re veritable beasts of burden. In
Iced they compete with the ponies and
onkeys as pack carriers, but are not
Considered by the men as valuable be-
ause they cannot bear up under such
eayy loads. In the frequent sale OF
OuA6 WomCu lO1 WIVES tuc PIiCS palU
ften is not as high as that given for
good horse. This severe lie among
be women shows itself in premature
Id age and in many forms Of serious
hysical disability. Fifteen per cent
f the mothers die ia childbirth.
The men sit around coffee houses,
iscussing politics, or attend to tho
usiness Of repelling by gun or sword
ne frequent Serbian or Montenegrfn
lvaders. The hostility to the Serb
nd Montenegrin never ceases. Feuds,
istol duels and vendettas are of daily
ccurrence. The Albanian, once he
elves himself or relatives wronged,
ever rests until complete and fierce
engeance is secured. The American
ed Cross hospitals throughout the
ountry are constantly called upon to
eat the victims of these feuds and
andettas.
The Italians have a force of about
) 900 troops in Albania. The major
art of these are in the vicinity of
alona. The rest are used in police
nd garrison duty in different parts
the country. Their presence has
ended to tranquilize the country and
eep down the troublesome elements
nong the population. There are re-
Irring sporadic clashes, however, be-
ween the Albinians, Serbs and Mon
in which frequently the Ital-
ms are forced to take part.