Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-09-23
ALBANIA REVERSES
TREND IN EUROPE
Change From Republic to
Kingdom Noted as
Exceptional.

Albania, for eight years repub-
lie, has crowned President Ahmed zogu
its King, reversing the trend of most
European nations.
Thus Tirana, capital of Albania. will
Join the ranks of Europes royal cities.
The modest white House" will be-
come a palace, and Mr.. President" will
be addressed His Highness.'
Until few years ago Tirana was
as little known as the rest OF Albania Is
today" says a bulletin from the Ma
tional Geographic Society.
"Boatloads of tourists drifted down
the Albanian coast, stopping now and
then at some picturesque island. or at
a coastal village, but they seldom VEN
tured far inland.
AT Durazzo former capital, and now
Tirana's seaport, they took one glance
at the impossible roads to the interior
and another glance at the SpringleSS OK
carts and donkeyS which were then the
only Albanian taXis. Then most of
them decided to see Tirana when condi-
tons were improved
Better Conditions Noted.
THE capital has changed, however,
since President Zogu established gov
Bus service on the new road from Til
rama to DuraZzo brings increasing num-
bers of travellers and the once quiet
little Moslem city is making splendid
progress.
The mosque, domes and minaretS
that once dominated the city's sky
line are being encroached upon by mod
ern government buildings and legations
OF foreign governments who recognize
Albanian sovereignty. Hotels are also
poking their upper stories above the
red roofs of old Tiranas mud-walled
structures, and new avenues. parks and
public gardens have been laid out for
the enjoyment of the city's inhabitants
and guests.
"Albanians are not travelled people
Their first railroad now is under con-
struction between Durazzo and Tirana,
and save for narrow rim along the
Adriatic Seaboard, there are few roads
within the country'S borders. But the
social aspect of the capital has changed
with the coming of representatives of
foreign governments. At the new
Sports Club AlbanianS rub elbows with
resident diplomats and the Albanian
women now compete against the ladies
Of the legations on the tennis courts.
City Market Unchanged.
THE Tirana market place is one of
the few spots in the city that have not
been disturbed by the newcomers, and
here, among the vegetables and fruits
piled on the cobbles, roam folk of the
surrounding mountains and valleys, ap-
parently unmoved by the changes TAX
ing place in their capital
Both the GhegS of the North and the
ToSks Of the South crowd the 'aisles.'
Mingling among the lively throngs one
sees bewhiSkered Moslem holy man
whose somber robes sharply contrast
with the flaming colors of the natives
garments. The Ghegs, three -fourths of
whom are Moslems. can be singled out
from the rest of the crowd by their
gray half-size fezzes, which resemble
the aluminium lids which keep pancakes
warm on American restaurant tables.
They also wear loose-fitting, sleeveless,
buttonleSs jackets, tight-f1tting trousers
and homemade sandals of oxhide.
The ToSkS are less conservative than
Gheir Northern compatriotS They like
characterization, and their costumes are
col0rful. There may be enough silver |
and gold In their regalia to pay first |
class passage from Durazzo to New |
York"