The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1921-05-06

Greek and Albanian IN EpIrus.
The Greeks have an unpleasant
little war on their hands. particu
larry bothersome at present on &C
count OF their reyerses in Asia Minor
They are forced to defend them
| selves against the Albanians IN
North Epirus, the territory along
their northwestern frontier claimed
by both Greece and Albania. Ever
since the Albanians have been strug-
Cling for independence this territory
has been a holly contested issue in a
dispute which has involved not only
The two countries themselves but also
Serbia, Italy and France. The Supreme
Council at Paris offered q solution
based on the principle of self-deter-
mination, but that this was unsuc-
cessful is shown by the intermittent
strife along the Greek-Albanian bor-
der which reached its crisis a few
days ago in battle between the two
forces at Koritza and a considerable
loss of life to both.
The question would be much more
en- silly settled were it not for Koritza
This town, beautifully situated, with
many good modern buildings, IS one of
the most progressive in the disputed
territory. II was developed largely by
Albanians They encouraged the es-
tablishment Of American schools,
which became especially popular with
the Albanian youth. During the war
Koritza was the capital of the only
then existent Albanian Government,
and the town has always been the seat
of the most intense Albanian national
ism. But at the same time Koritza
has very considerable Greek popula-
ton. In fact, the Greeks assert in
their claims that they are in the ma
jority. Thus so long as both Greek
and Albanian consider the possession
of Koritza as the cruX of the dispute
and so long as neither will yield this
possession the whole North Eplrus
controversy remains almost impossible
Of a satisfactory settlement.
A meeting was held last week in
Boston by representatives of the Pan
Epirotic Societies. that is, of Greek
societies favorlng the retention of
Epirus by Greece, at which was for
INFLATED vigorous protest addressed
to President HARDING and the Pre-
miers of the allied nations against
occupation OF the territory by the AL
banians. 1t might appear strange
thing that this meeting Of protest
should be held in America but 1t
Is a curious fact that the whole
Albanian question has been largely
fought out In this country. Here
began the early propaganda for
Albanian independence the first steps
for an established government were
taken by Albanlans in the United
States, and many of the succeeding
governmental moves came from the
same source. The reason of this is
due to two facts: there are, perhaps,
more successful Albanians in the
United States than in any other coun-
try, and the ambitious young Al
banians have come to this country
for their education and have become
leaders Of their people. There has
not been an Albanian Government In
which Harvard University has not
been represented by two or more
graduates.
America has sympathlzed with the
Albanians' efforts to establish an in
dependent State, she recognizes the
sturdy patriotism of the people and
the bravery of their fight against
great odds. Still, there must be
doubts If the Incorporation within
the Albanian borders of such large
body Of irreconcilable Greeks will
make for the strength and internal
peace Of the new State.