The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1929-07-12

prepared by the National Geographic
Society. Washington. D. CO.
u UROPE'S newest king is build
r. ing a new palace in one OF
L. Europe's newest capitals. The
king is Fog | formerly Zogu)
of Albania, who stepped to his throne
from the Presidents chair last Sep
TENDER; and his million-dollar palace
Is rising in Tirana which became the
seat of government after the World
war, when it was decided that the for,
mer capital, Durazzo, on the coast,
was too exposed. ~
Until this move was made Tirana
was as little known as the rest of AL
bania is today. Boat lbads of tourists
drifted down the Albanian coast, STOP
ping now and then at some picturesque
island, or at coastal village.
AT Durazzo, i ey took one glance az
the impossible roads to the interior
and another glance at the springless
ox-carts and donkeys which were then
the only Albanian taxis. Then most
of them decided to see Tirana when
conditions were improved.
The capital has changed, however,
since President Zogu established gov
eminent headquarters there in 1925.
Bus service on the new road from
Tirana to DurazZo brings increasing
numbers 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 modern
government buildings and legations of
foreign governments who recognize AL.
bantam sovereignty. Hotels are also
poking their upper stories above the
red roofs of old Tirana's mud-walled
structures, and new avenues, parks
and public gardens have been laid out
for the enjoyment of the city's inhabi-
tants and guests.
Market Place of Tirana.
The Tirana market place is one of
the few spots in the city that has not
been disturbed by the newcomers and
there, 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 with the lively throngs, one
sees bewhiskered Moslem holy man
whose somber robe" 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-fitting trousers
and homemade sandals of ox-hide.
The Tosks are less conservative than
their northern compatriots. They like
ornamentation, and their costumes are
colorful. There may be enough silver
and gold in their regalia to pay
first-class passage from Durazzo to
New York.
The Albanians are a rugged, priml.
tive mountain people who, it has been
said. Occasionally d from ordinary
disease. but more often from differ
ences of opinion" They are classed
along with the French, Portuguese and
Walloons as members of the Greco
Latin branch Of the Aryan race Their
mountain life has fOstered a passion
ate love of independence and they cling
to their language and their custom.
with vigorous tenacity, even wheu
groups are transplanted to other lands.
The name Of the Albanians, meaning
people of the .snow-land," has been
fastened upon them by their neigh
bors; they call themselves "Skipetari,"
or mountaineers. One important tribe.
the Catholic Mirdites, bitterly oppose
the settlement of any Mohammedans
in their vicinity.
What Visitors Buy and See.
Tirana is in the west central part
| of Albania. 20 miles inland from Du-