Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-11-08
ASK u. 5. TO
DIRECT WORK
in ALBANIA
Italians in Charge But Al
banians Express Dislike
For Them.

II Tirana, Albania, Oct. 5.-(By the
Associated Press.)-Continued ap-
peals aie being made by the Albanians
for the United States to assume u
mandate for Albania. The Albanian
has an amazing confidence in A1neri-
en-. Scarcely a week goes by in which
some local Albanian society or, group
of patriots. does not prestfit q petition
addressed to, the Americans appealing
penat OF their count y. s;s:s.s: !, +;
:;s When the Associated PfeHSIcorre-
Appndent was passing through q. small
town .spoth OF here on hurseba baTss, x e
was stopped by. the mayor ans ssca;
sofdctalA who presented to; hirs an ,al,-
peal seeking the protection .of the
United Staten hAcause the Greeks were
reported to have taken possessipn of
the city Of ,Koritza,s in Southern AL
bania- 1900
y The Italian protectorate is in op-
GRAFTON but most Albanians profess a
distinct dislike for the italians, saying
their desire is merely to exploit the
country and to retain strategic foot
hold in the Balkans. Some of them
say they Jared better; and the coun-
try progressed more under the Aus
trians.. American observers say the
Italians have b:ought great material
and moral good to the country and
have stabilized things in an, effectuai
way. .,4e
The country is extremely primitive
and there are continual internal DIS
orders. Railroads or telegraphs do
not exist, many of the most ordinary
conveniences of life are wanting, sanI-
tation is almost unknown, schools and
churches are few in number, and al
together the country seems extremely
backward. Except for the southern
part which is fairly fertile, it is bar
rem waste Of rocks and woodless hills
and mountains. ~
Tlbania produces scarcely enough
crops to support it's inhabitants. The
population is upward Of two millions,
divided about evenly between Chris
tians and Mohammedans. Only about
s per cent Of this number is able to
read or write.
The women do all the work. They
are veritablel beasts Of burden. In
deed they compete with the ponies
and donkeys as pack carriers, but are
not considered by the men as valuable
because they cannot bear up under
of young women for wives, the price
paid often is not as high as that given
for a good horse. This severe life
among the women shows itself in pre-
mature old age and in many forms of
serious physical disability. Fifteen
per cent Of the mothers die in child
birth.> H.
The men sit around coffee houses.
discussing politics. or attend to the
business of repelling by gun or sword
the frequent Serbian or Montenegrin
invaders The hostility to the Serb
and Montenegrin never ceases. Feuds.
pistol ,duels and vendettas are OF
daily occurrence. The Albanian, once
he believes himself or relatives
w.onged, never rests until complete
and fierce vengeance is secured. The
American Red. Cross hospitals
throughouts the country are constant
" called upon to treat the victims Of
these fehds and vendettas.
The Italians have q force Of about
81. 600 troops In Albania. The major
pGxE of these are in the vicinity OF
Va1aa. The rest are used In police
ana sarrfsSn duty in different parts OF
the country. Their presence has tend
Cd 10 tranQutlise the country and keep
down the troublesome elements
among the population. There are re-
curing sporadic clashes, however. be-
tween, tho Albanianso Serbs and Mon
|tenekrinA In which. frequently the
Italians are forced to take part. vi
y