Evening star., 1928-05-20

| discreet editor has even made the
| obvious suggestion that Italy, by un-
worthy means. is gaining a strange
! hold on the economic life OF the nation
Since no political opposition to Ahmeo
| Zocu exists, or would be permitted, tnt
| matter has not been dealt with In the
local Chamber of Deputies.
Another question which is OF greal
interest to other nations which have
trade connections with Albania is the
harbor improvement work at DuraZ2o
These operationS were undertaken py
a firm of Italian contractors OF Trieste.
Their estimates of the total cost OF the
work showed a figure of 100000 golo
francs. All foreign experts VINO nave
seen the work agree that the actual
cast will exceed the estimates by very
anpreciable sum. To provide Tor Such
an event the Italian government IN
series of notes to the Albanian govern
ment has generously undertaken TO pay
the excess.
Danger to Serb Trade.
In recognition of this payment the
Albanian government viii grant tle
privilege of free entry to all ALBANIAN,
ports of Italian shipping LOT a peIloo
of FIVE wears. Thus. IN a snort time
after the completion of the harbor
work at Durazzo. it may be expected
that no ships other than those flying
the Italian flag will be able to call
and do business at Albania's most I'M
portant port. This arrangement, II
carried into effect, viii virtually XIII
the coastwise trade of JugoSlavta be-
tween Susak. Spalato, Duraz1o, Avlona
and Santa Quaranta.
The irregularity Of such contract
favoring the shipping Of Italy at the
expense of all other nations has been
brought to the attention Of Ahmed
Zogl, who says that If the question
arises he viii let the ships Of every
nation into the port of DuraZZo on
the same terms. But this statement
is an answer to a private inquiry and
the contract is still In force.
Although the economic enslavement
of Albania proceeds TO the prejudice of
its people, this cannot of itself be
considered as immoral or even unnat-
ural. The proximity of Italy and
Albania make 1t desirable that the
highly industriaiized country should sell
its products in the agricultural state.
The necessity Of granting long term
credits to an almost bankrupt republic
demands that the creditors have a
measure Of control for their own
security
Italy Enters Scene.
But political penetration is a horse
OF another color. When this is di-
rected toward making Albania an in
sIrument with which to threaten an
ofner country the Importance of main
tanning the independence of the little
republic at once becomes evident.
The sordid story of how Albania lost
q large measure OF her freedom with
the conniyance, or at least the con-
sent, Of the British government is
too vel known to be repeated here,
The documents which sealed her fate
are the treaties Of Tirana, 1926 and
1927: whereby the territorial integrity
OF the country and of the regime Of
ahmed zogu are guaranteed by Italy.
Inc means by which the Italian GOV
eminent Is using Albania to threaten
Jugoslavla are interesting. They may
pe divided into three campaigns. THE
first has its center at Scutari in north
ern Albania on the border Of Monte
negro; the second is directed from
Tirana, with its objective in xossovo.
south Serbia and the third is con-
cenLrateu In the district Of Korcha
near the Serbian frontier,
Iaat OF Scutari consists in encoIrar-
ing among the hin tribes of the border
a fear that Jugoslavia intends to make
an early attempt to regain the town of
Scutarl, which has a small Elav eIe-
ment In its population. In this district
found that every peasant is convinced
that Montenegrin hordes will sweep
down on his land and lay it to waste
II not tomorrow, at least the day after.
! found that the clergy were respon-
sible for the origin Of this remarkable
fiction. That certain priests are In the
pay OF Italy has been thoroughly es-
taolisned by those whose business 1t is
70 find out.
The second campaign concerns the
creation Of an Albania Irredenta" ia
the plain Of Kossovo, south Serbia
This territory, OF which the inhabitants
are for the most part Albanians by
race. was given TO Jugoslavia along
with much other land inhabited by nom
Slav races in the distribution following
the great war. 1t has no doubt been
governed badly by notorious, corrupt
and incompetent administration, but it
has never expressed any desire for DO
litical union with the Albanian state.
AS for the campaign which Is CEN
tered around Korcha, this would ap-
pear 70 be the most serious In that 1t
concerns third power, Bulgaria. The
little frontier town Of Koritza has be-
come foyer OF anti-Serb feeling and
one OF the most important centers OF
activity Of the Imro (internal Mace
DOMAIN revolutionary organization)
Representatives Of this society arrive
In Tihana from Italy travelling as
journalists or business men and well
equipped with funds they proceed TO
the Korcha district, whence they direct
the plans for the Spring offensive In
Macedonia. This years push has not
yet begun, but am assured by a
Macedonian friend who acts as liaison
officer for the revolutionary committee
In TIrana that IL promises 10 be more
fruitful in sudden death and destruc~
ton Of Berbian property than any
campaign Of recent years.