Evening star., 1924-06-09

The bugle Of revolt is filing again
the mountain ranges of Albania with
its stirring echoes. The southern
state have joined hands across CEN
trail Albania, and over the head of
the government of Tirana, which re-
sides in and relies for support on the
last named section. That government
is now between two fires.
Athens reports that fierce fighting
is going on between the government
forces and the insurgents. The latter
are reported to be already in occu-
patton of Berat, the home town of
the present prime minister. Elias
Vrioni. who took over the govern
American minister, Ulysses Grant
Smith, cables that the whole Of south
ern Albania is under the control of
the revolutionists. And Belgrade, by
way of indulginG in its own COM
the Albanian reds" have occupied
Scutari, the capital of northern
Albania.
Lastly. American destroyers are
being hurriedly dispatched into Alba
nian waters, and Rome adds that the
fall of the government in the hands
of the Albanian "Fascisti' is matter
of days.
But what is all this trouble and
confusion about? Until some days be-
fore, Albania seemed to have outlived
her reputation for chronic convulsions.
and for a considerable length of time
since she won her independence she
appeared to be relegated and for
gotten in her little snug corner along
the Adriatic coast.
To be sure, observers of tnterna-
tional affairs in America have already
discounted all ncwncsS in this last
of Albanian upheavals. They have
opined that il is a mere rehashins
Of old lingering issues. revival OF
the Albanian's love for freworks $
According to them, the diagnosis Is
ing between Christians and Moslems;
a number of feuds; lot of friction
between local hereditary chiefs; a
good deal OF sectional antaGonism
and a generous sprinkling OF detes-
tation on the part of the people to
pay taxes.
with all deferenoe to the erudition Of
these observers, II is respectfully sub
mitted that not one of the above emu
merated issues is involved in the pres
ent conflict. Those issues lie DEAD ano
buried under the overwhelming political
exigencies which have arisen OF late
4 =
Ever since the opening of the hrst
Albanian Parliament in April. 1921,
bitter party strife has been waged. The
greater part of the first two years OF
parliamentary experience was spent in
the process OF readjustment and re-
alignment along party lines. And about
a year ago two distinct and well dehneu
groups came into existence, the party
in power which has designated itself
successiyely as progressive and popu-
lar" but which is largely composed OF
great landowners and other members oil
the old and moribund aristocracy. and
second. the party of opposition, which
is indiscriminately composed OF Roman
Catholics MosleuS and Greek Catholics,
ali grouped togther under the name OF
Liberals.
The bitter contest between the Two
parties for political supremacy came 10
a head on the fateful day of April 6,
when the two luclllesS American travel
ers. George B. de Long of New YORK
and Robert Lewis Coleman OF San Fran
cisco. were killed by ambuShed asSassins
The double crime stirred the whole peo-
pie of Albania The indignation II
aroused was all the more intense because
never before had any foreigners least OIL
all Americans, who are held IN Specla
esteem, been SO much as interfered Win
during their travels throughout tne
country. 1t was but inevitable that the
confidence reposed in the government
shouId be shaken. and the opposition
could not fail to make the most out OF
it. by adding one more charge In lhe
long list Of grievances against the party
in power.