The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1925-06-03

mosques, but neither reading no
writing was taught.
Though no census of population ha
been taken, 1t is estimated that tn
Albanians as whole number NOR
than two million people. Their home
land is magnificent country, with 1t!
chaos Of grand mountains, deep an(
fertile valleys and beautiful streams
"a region without forests, almost
without woodlands, 1t is true, but SUI
perb in its stern majesty.
The more attractive part of south,
ern Albania lies, of course, near the
Adriatic. Fruits and grain are profit
ably grown along the seacoast, with
its sunlit inlets shut In by pleasant
hills and with a climate which re-
sembles that of Sicily.
Excellent grazing lands extend up
the mountain sides, affording pastur-
age In times of peace for large flocks
and herds, the peoples chief source Of
livelihood, while fish from the sea
and the rivers and game from the
hills-deer, wild boar, hares, game
birds, bear, and even the chamois-
are important resources.
Among the Albanians lives a frag-
ment Of a strange people who call
themselves Rumani, said to be descen-
dants Of the Romans-of that fifth
Roman legion which dispersed and
was scattered along the old highway
stretching from DVazzo to CONSTANT
nople. This great road Of ancient
Rome (via Egnatia), called at It's be-
ginning the Appian way, passes
through Italy to Brindisi; begins again
at Durazzo, runs thence through Ell
basan by Lake Ochrida to Krusha, and
on to Monastir and Vodena; thence to
Saloniki and beyond to Constantinople
The Rumani are very proud Of their
origin, and answer the question OF
race by saying, II am a descendant
OF the Romans" They are a simple,
pastoral people, not given to robbery
or brigandage. Their primitive little
villages of stone are frequently seen
IN the mountains, often perched near
high submits. A large colony Of
hem, known as Vlachs, live on the |
slope Of the Pindus mountains in sight
# Liascoviki, but far away across val
ey and gorge
What the People Are Like.
In Albania the women are the work
RS, the orthodox more SO than the
dohammedans; but all work. They
re moral, too.
The Albanians are somewhat harsh
4 feature, though the children are
right and the young girls are some
ines pretty. The unattractive appear
nee Of the women is increased, if not
aused, by the nondescript garments
ommonly worn In these days, shabby,
lifting, and fastened together any,
ow or nohow.
The pretty national dress of the Al
anian Is seen only on gala occasions,
hen the men come out with the white
xirt, over tight-fitting breeches, vest
ad coat OF white wool, with the point
], tufted shoe and white or red tur-
IN, and usually, especially in the rain, {
le long sheepskiD cloak, generally s
ack. The cap, or fez, however, is
orn when possible as a symbol of
ce.
The Albanians are probably neither
good nor so bad as they have been
tinted, but certainly they are worth
e effort necessary to develop them
ID their country. Their chief desire '
w is to be allowed to manage their S
IN affairs and to work their little l.
rms In the fertile valleys, to herd I
cir sheep and weave their garments d
wool, II only they are let alone. n
icy do not submit easily to govern :,
'nt; have no love for chance stran- =
RS, and are slow to accept change in =
manner of living or of cultivatlng :,
, fields. T.
The lands Of Albania are largely :
ned by great proprietors. Many of
estates were in the hands of Turks
ore the war. Others of the great
Id-owners are Albanians. among
IN the powerful family of the p
'res, at Valona, which is said to n
'sess over $50 square miles of land. II
'y the application Of modern farm n
methods the Albanian valleys of :,
south could be converted into YER a.
Die gardens. The Italians made
inning In the direction of training
Albanian farmer by means of ex-
mental farms while their military
upation continued during the World OF
:. -,
In Three letter. -,