The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1922-01-18
koritza and the Disputed Area III
in Southern Albania


Washington, D. c.. Jan. 12-
ANY other coutry would be nom
pluscd to awake some fine morn
ing with two wars on its hands;
but such q predicament is but an
episode in Albania's history" says
a bulletin of the National Geo
graphic Society concerning the
skirInishes between Albanians
and Greeks in northern Epirus and
the reported attack of Serbians
upon Albanian towns along the
River Drin
"rhe country was created in
1912 to avert a World War, and
when World War did come the
troops of five countries occupied
various sections Of it. Germans.
Austrians and Bulgarians were in
control in the northern districts
where Scrbians are now making
attacks. while France and Italy
held the south, including the area
about Koritza, which now forms
the bone of contention with
Greece. Durazzo, chief Albanian
port, was seized by d'Annunzio.
Began Re.naking Europe's Map
perhaps history Will recognize
koritZa as the scene O. the first
definite step toward remaking the
Map of Europe. For there in
December. 1915, was set up a gov
vernment. generally referred to as
the Republic of Koritza. While
most of Albania was IN Austrian
hands this little republic, under
French military protection, started
to function as an Albanian repub
lie, issued paper money. postage
stamps, and established q national
army with a fighting strength Of
600.
Before 1914 Albania was the
newest country Of the Old World,
and it is peoDled by the most an
ciert race OF southeastern Europe.
Edward Gibbon called it "a country
within sight of Italy, which is less
known than the interior Of Ameri-
ca And more than century af-
ter that Characterization, before
the war helped introduce the Bal
kans 90 America, a letter address
sed Albania was sent from Eng
land to the United States, and was
was returned from Albany n. z,
with the notation Not for Albany.
try Europe
Few travellers visit Albania and
information about the present day
aspects of the country is measer.
Some First-Hand Impressions
The bulletin then quotes the first
hand impressions Of Brig. Gen.
George P. Scriven. L S. "A, who
was in Albania during the war, and
wrote to the National Geographic
Society as follows:
"The towns Of Southern Albani.,
are few and. though strange and
picturesque in appearance, are in
reality poor in comfort. Of cities
there are not any Keritza. with
some 10000 people, is the largest
place. but it is far from being a
city. However. if the towns are
somewhat mean and squalid, they
arc interesting to the eye and have
the charm Of old-world QuaintnesS.
There are but four worth mention
ing: Arjirokastro. SO old. at least
in appearance, that its origin falls
back into the mists of time; the
pleasant Village OF Premati, lying
in a fertile valley along the river
Viosa; koritza. held by the
French; and Nalona. clean and
thriving under the Italian army.
They are all pleasant places to
look upon, nesting among the
mountains. in the valleys. and by
the sea. with their old gray walls
and roofs Of stone ,dotted with
storks: but they possess none of
the comforts or conveniences Of
modern life.
Modern Convcnicnces Lacking
Such matter-of- fect things as
trans. hotels. or cafes do not exist
gin Albanian towns and would
seem wholly out Of place. Water
is drawn from the wells as it was
1000 years ago. or maybe from
some nearby stream Inns are rep
resented by the khan. stone build
| ing, half house, half stable, where
caravans and pack trains stop to
rest.
Albania belongs TO q time as
far back as the annals of the
world can reach and is as prinli-
tive as if it were in central China.
almost as difficult 10 penetrate as
Tibet itself It is a land unfamil-
lar to the. traveller and Stunned
by the tourist Of today.
II the three or four -ccntcrS of
population in southern Albania are
a little disappointing rs cities. this
is not true of the country or OF the
picturesque villages which gather
like gray spl2shes upon the gray
er hills, where they appear to
have nestled since the beginning Of
time Rough stone huts they arc
for the most part with fiat store
roofs. For purposes OF defense,
they are usually situated half way
up the lower hills. ard the houses
and out-buildings arc often sur
rounded by strong stone walls
The valleys are rich and Well
cultivated. chiefly BY the women.
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