THE EPIRUS TROUBLE

Southland Times, Issue 17642, 4 May 1914, Page 6

THE EPIRUS TROUBLE

WOMEN AND CHILDREN MASSACRED By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright. DURAZZO, May 2. Received May 3, 5.J> p.m. Government advices state that the ■Epirotes captured and burned Kolonia, many women and children being .massacred. HISTORY OF THE PROBLEM. The movement for autonomy in those districts of Northern Epirus which have been allocated to Albania, shows very clearly that the Great Powers and their new-born child, the State of Albania, are confronted with a very serious difficulty. In all likelihood the Concert of Europe will again be put to a serious test. In order to understand the problem created by the rebelion which has arisen in Northern Epirus the two following facts must l»e kept in mind: — 1. By the terms of the Note forwarded by the Powers to the Greek Government on February 13 the Cabinet of Athens is not to be held responsible for the Epirus disturbances. Greece has been asked only to pledge herself "neither to oppose, to support, to encourage, or/to instigate resistance to the state of affairs established by the Powers in Southern Albania.” She was requested at the same time to recall her troops within the month of March, the evacuation to begin on the Ist inst., at Koritza, and in the island of Sasscno, off Valona, Greece. The President refused to comply with the request of the insurgent, leaders, who. in order to obtain full liberty of movement, would have liked to see the evacuation carried out at once throughout the contested zone. The Greek Government have wisely decided that the vacuation shall be gradual, as arranged, and have instructed their officers not to recognise the new authorities or any of their representatives. On the Italian side, the point has been raised that Greece ought to have occupied the region of Chlmarra, where signs of danger were apparent. The'reproach is groundless. Nobody ever asked Greece to extend northwards the zone under her occupation in Northern Epirus. Greece has no responsbility In the matter. and that she cannot be asked to do more than what she is doing now: 2. If all means of bringing about a peaceful settlement should fail, and if a resort to force should be deemed expedient, the European Concert, in the present state of affairs, would be unable tc act. The Triple Alliance Powers, who did not want to be involved in any militarv action against Turkey, brought about on February 6. the suppression of the paragraph in the British Note of January 23. which made provision for the enforcement of the will of the Powers either against the Bporites xir against Turkey. .Sir E. Grey has been very careful to point ont from the outset that any discrimination between Turkey and Northern Epirus was out of the question. in order to be able to intervene against the Greek insurgents the Powers ought to pledge themselves to be ready to intervene against Turkey, should the necessity arise. Albania alone is entitled to apply military coercion to the rebels. “Mpret,” William the First, is given a golden opportunity of winning his spurs. The way out of all the difficulties is to be found:—(l) In the complete application of the British Note of January 23, which provided adequate penalties for “very infringement of the will of the Powers: and (2) In the prompt granting of guarantees to the Epirote populations.