CONDITION OF ALBANIA

New Zealand Herald, 29 June 1914, Page 7

CONDITION OF ALBANIA

AMERICAN'S IMPRESSIONS.

"SCANDAL OF ANARCHY."

KING WITHOUT SUBJECTS. By Tclesnph—Preso Association—Copyright. (Received June 28, 5.5 p.m.) Athens, June 27. The United States Minister to Greece, Mr. Williams, after visiting Albania, describes recent Durazzo incidents as epochal, and a scandal of anarchy, incompetence, and hypocrisy. The Six Powers scheme is unworkable, owing to antagonistic rivalries. He urges the formation of a neutral State with a local government. Mr. Williams adds: "I found a Prince, calling himself a King, with no powers, no territory, or subjects. }'r. Williams's outspokenness has caused a great sensation.

PROGRESS OF THE REVOLT.

TRUCE DEFINITELY BROKEN.

Dceazzo, June 26. At the instigation of the Dutch gendarmerie officers, tho truce with the rebels has been definitely broken off.

The insurgents have hoisted tho Turkish flag at the captured towns.

The Austrian steamer Herzegovina has bombarded tho rebel positions at Kashbul.

KING'S LIFE IN PERIL. King William 1., who -went from his German principality at the call of, the European Powers three months ago to rule Albania with his wife as Queen, lias been in peril of losing his life and bis new throne in oonflict with his turbulent subjects, led by Essad Pasha, the most powerful of tho Albanian chiefs— man who held Scutari in the Balkan war, then souglft to make himself King of Albania, and was allowed under the new regime to be War Minister.

An account issued officially in Vienna at tho end of May, stated that the King (whose rank is officially only Prince, and who is termed in Albania " tho Mprot") took the initiative by sending to Essad Pasha at three in the morning to demand tho disbanding of "his bodyguard." Btreolj lighting ensued, and Prince William's force shelled the Minister's house till he surrendered to the foreign marines who had come to protect the palace. Essad Pasha and his wifo wore hurried aboard an Austrian warship. Later despatches brought news of his release on condition that he left Albania, not to return unices by consent of Prince William. Since that time the King himself has been forced to mako a hurried departure from his capital.