Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1919-12-02
PRAISES ITALIAN
ARMY IN ALBANIA
General Scriven Says 1t Earned
Worlds Gratitude for
Services in Balkans.
SAVED COUNTRY FROM FOE
Transformed Fishing Hamlet Into
Thriving Seaport-BuiIt Roads
Throughout Nation - Country
Open to Industry and Travel.

lnFCuuHOQL NdItOtt - SO0utiy
Open to Industry and Travel.
New York.-Brig. Gen. George T.
Scriven, formerly chief Of the signal
corps of the United States army, who
was for several months attached as
American military observer to the
Italian forces in the field, and who
recently returned from Rome, speaks
enthusiastically of what he saw In
Valona. or Avlona, as it is sometimes
called, the chief port of Albania, which
the secret treaty Of London, in April,
1915, allotted to Italy. Valona, he said,
is regarded by the Italians as one OF
the keys to the Adriatic, and their oc-
cupation since December, 1914, when
troops were landed because Of internal
disorder, has transformed it from
squalid fishing village to seaport that
is on its way to attain an importance
it has not enjoyed since the days OF
the Roman Empire. Docks have been
built, buildings have been erected, and
military roads, unsurpassed anywhere,
have been constructed from Valona
throughout Albania by Italian engi-
neers he said.
The general described how the
Prince of WED, placed on the Albanian
throne by the powers, was overthrown,
and a republic. set up with Essad
Pasha as president. He, too, was
forced out, and the little country was
left a prey to Austrian intrigue from
the north and the Vaccinations Of the
pro-German King Constantine of
Greece from the south. On Christmas
day, 1914, the Italian government, fear
ing possible developments in Albania,
sent the 10th regiment Of bersaglieri
to occupy the little fishing hamlet of
Valona.
Saved Albania for Allies.
''By so doing" said General Scriven,
"Italy saved at least the greater part
of southern Albania from the horrors
of Austrian and probably Bulgar occu-
patton, and, in addition, became the
deciding factor in the great ultimate
success of the Balkan campaign, which
now appears to have been the loose
stone in the arch that upheld the Ger
man power. Doubtless some day it will
be recorded that the world owes much
to the brilliant stroke of military fore
sight that sent this little force to oc-
cupy an UNDECIDED portion of the Bal
kan coast, there to perform the duty of
watchful waiting during the trying
months that held the old Triple ALI
ance in doubt.
"By this peaceful occupation mill
tary position was secured that later be-
came an important naval station for
the allies, as well as a strategic and
tactical base Of such Importance that
had it fallen into the hands Of the
enemy, the great military romance of
the Balkans, If played at all, would
have occupied a far more narrow
stage, and the whole Of western Al
bania would have been thrown open to
the Germans. For this and for the later
treatment of the country and its peo-
pie, I believe Albania and the world
owe a debt Of gratitude to Italy.
''With the entrance of the Italians
into the war, military activity in the
Balkans increased. Additional forces
were sent to Valona, from which as a
base Italian control was extended
over all southern Albania. The italian
troops, without violence, and, indeed,
at the request Of the inhabitants them
selves, occupied the interior towns, or
the ruins, as some Of them then were,
OF Tepeleni, ArgiroC Castro, Premati,
Llascoviki, Santa Quaranta, and Porto
Palermo.
Made Modern City of Hamlet.
''When the Italians landed, Valona
offered only the picture of fishing
village lying asleep in filth on the
picturesque shores of what is a really
beautiful bay.
with the arrival of the Italians the
town awoke as If by magic. Italy went
to work to make Valona not only habi-
table but prosperous. Government
buildings rose almost in the night
Docks were constructed, electric lights
were installed. Sanitation was not
neglected.
"To my mind the greatest accom-.
plishment of the Italians in Valona,
and elsewhere in Albania, lies In the
splendid military roads they have con-
structed.
another benefit conferred by the
Italians in Albania has been the en-
Tightening of the inhabitants. Former
ly there were no stopping places Of a
civilized kind for the stranger. The
natives were so suspicious and often
hostile to travellers that Albania has
been Stunned almost as much as At
RIGA or Thibet. Italy made friends
with the people. For once the torch
Of war dissipated distrust and ignor-
ance, and the country now is opened to
the enterprise and curiosity of patrons
from everywhere"
General Scriven has just been in
formed by the italian Embassy at
/ Washington that for his service with
the Italian armies the Grand Cross Of
the Crown of Italy has been conferred
upon him."