A KING’S BROKEN ROMANCE.

Dunstan Times, Issue 3463, 31 March 1930, Page 2

A KING’S BROKEN ROMANCE.

A determined revolt against King Zogu of Albania, led by the influential tribesman, Vrlati Reg, who was formerly one 'of the king’s most trusted friends, and. turned against him only when Zogn refused to marry his daughter, to whom lie was engaged, has been frustrated on the eve of action. The ringleaders, including Vrlati Reg, and five chieftains, who were Ins accomplices, were arrested at Tiskopia, Meg’s birthplace and tlie headquarters of his tribe. \ From information supplied to the police, a' secret arsenal of the conspirators. containing 10,000 rifles with ammunition and explosives, was discovered at Gnrel. The leaders, who had evidently studied the lesson of Afghanistan and the fall of King Amanullah. had inspired their followers with religious fervor, declaring that Zogu’s proposed reform of the Constitution in Albania heralded the dawn of tyranny and ai< attack on rno faith of their fathers. The prompt action of th- authorities had an immediate result, for no disorders have so far been reported. Vrlati’s broken friendship with Zogu is a tragedy of thwarted love and furnishes yet another case of a king who sacrificed his passion on the altar of service to the State. Before the inarch on Tirana and his dramatic seizure of power Zogn was only the chieftain of a small mountain tribe. H c . was engaged to bo married to Vrlati’s daughter, with whom he was in love. Throughout the critical period of his presidency there was no more devoted ally than Vrlati. Zogu’s new rank, however, and the demand for public interest in this, as in other royal families, decided the king, on his coronation, to break off the romantic engagement in favor of a more distinguished and practical alliance. The names of many princesses were mentioned, but. owing to the present unsettled condition of Albania, the last land of the vendetta, where no fewer than 800 blood fends have been sworn against 1 lie king, following the execution before tile palace gates of a number of dangerous and powerful enemies, and the king’s failing health, the Court marriage, and with it th e dream of royal alliance, lias been postponed. The king's advisers implored him to many an Albanian woman in order to found a dynastic basis for the peaceful development of his warring land, and it was only when the king decided against a native queen that Vrlati turned against him. How would Zogn punish Ids old-time friend was the question that all Albania asked wbi'n the news of the frustrated revolt began to circulate. Zogn gave a sudden and unexpected answer. With a dramatic gesture of goodwill lie released Vrlati Reg unconditionally. without even the formality of a trial. Sncli leniency after the king's notorious and vindictive treatment of earlier opponents has created a groat surprise throughout Albania.