Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-05-18
OFFICIAL REVIEWS
ALBANIA PROGRESS.
Rome Alliance Has Aided
World Peace, Declares
Foreign Minister.
BY CARROLL BINDER.
nv Radio to The Star and the ChicG
Daily News. Copyright, 1880.

ny Radio to The Star and the Chicago
Daily News. Copyright, 1880.
TIRANA, Albania. May Tour
alliance with Italy has not only assured
Balkan peace, but has greatly aided the
cause of world peace" Raul Fitso, for
eign minister of Albania, declared in
two-hour interview.
The Tirana pacts, which created I'M
easiness in many chancelleries at the
time of their signatures in 1925 and
1927, were imperatively demanded by
the internal and external affairs Of
Albania, according to F1tSo. who added
that developments subsequent to the
alliance have indicated the course
chosen by King zogu.
There is order now in Albania,
whereas prior to the alliance the coun-
try suffered five revolutions in six years,
obliging the government to spend an
average of $1,000,000 annually IN
counter-revolutionary operations, SAID
FitSo, who also holds the interior
portfolio.
"Brigandage as we'll as rebellion was
auelled and Albania has been free to
devote its entire resources and energies
to reconstruction since the alliance
tranquillized our foreign relations.
Italian Aid Praised.
While paying high tribute to Italian
assistance, such as training the army
and building ports and highways, FltSo
explained that other nationalities were
aiding Albania to modernize and that
their contribution was welcomed with
open arms.
He enthusiastically commended Amer
tcan educational undertakings, parity
financed by the Red Cross and partly py
missionary organizations. German COM
panies share in roadbuilding. An Eng
itsh commission directs the genoarmerle,
while the classical Lycee is French and
the contemplated Albanian University
has been entrusted to Americans. :,
Both Fitso and Premier Pandeh
Evanpeli. whom 1 also interviewed, as
sured me that Albania was meeting the
s232 900 installment due in 1880 on
the S1OOOO.0O0 loan from Italy. Con-
trarv to insinuations abroad, the loan
will be repaid in full. both ministers
insisted. They also cited the progress
made by Albania in recent years.
I'm 1920 the infant nation had only
$50 miles of highways" Fitso SAID.
snow there are 1,120 miles OF them
and more building. Thirty-tWo thou-
sand children are in the pubic scnooIs,
which were wholly prohibited under the
Turks.
Budget Totals $6,250,OOO
"The budget was only $4,000 In
1920: now it totals $6,250 900, of which
much is for public works, which Is the
sole purpose of the Italian loan. dne
government is inaugurattng agrarlan
wetnrm. One-third of all estates over
IuU acres will be appropriated ana
divided among small proprietors. Plans
for irrigation are proposed to compel
o~yf,o cult xypf
modern methods. Albania expects to
finance this by an agrarian bank, whose
capital will be provided by a levy OF
one months salary on every functlon-
ary''
Though Fitso was an important
Turkish official, and, like King Zogu,
long in contact with Turkey, they are
determined to westernize Albania
Youths are sent to western schools, ana
western customs and technique are
being introduced into this admittedly
backward country.
Before the Turkish conqlest," F1tso
said. Albania was on the cultural level
of Southern Italy. Then the Turks
took our best youth as hostages to
serve the Sultan-boys for the govern
ment and girls for the harem.
Veil Fast Disappearing.
Albania pTONlQeO turkey Will oo
viziers, hundreds of generals. 40 per
cent of the higher officials, eminent
wrlJers and scientists, but herself
languished, so that her civilization was
five centuries behind Europe at the
outbreak of the World War.
Our army of 10000 should cause
no uneasiness abroad because it means
adult education. In the service the
mountaineers learn how to live in
modern fashion, as well as to read,
write and engage in hand.crafts.
Our modern women enter society
like their western sisters and the veil
is fast disappearing. Civil marriage IS
compulsory, divorce is permitted, and
polygamy has been abolished.
1.-The legal code is western instead
Of Moslem, as it was before.
I'm short, Albania, which is the old
est Balkan nation, is taking her right
full place n the family of western ma
tions."