1 SEPTEMBER 1928, Page 2

The Constituent Assembly of Albania has offered the Crown to

the high-born Moslem, Ahmed Beg Zogu, who has ruled the country since he put Monseigneur Fan Noli to flight. He will probably be proclaimed as Mpret (Imperator) on Saturday with the name of Skanderbeg III, recalling the Christian national hero of the days of Mahommed II. He is young, active, and masterful, qualities needed for the post. He was educated in Constantinople, and was an impressionable boy when his country was freed from the Turks by the Balkan Wars and overrun by Serbian troops. Naturally he has little affection for Turks or Serbs. No less naturally he looks to Italy for support as Bishop Fan Noli did. It is safe to, say that he will cut a very different figure from that of the last king, the unfortunate Prince Wilhelm von Wied, who, whatever his real nature or character, could only look silly when thrust into that picture. One chiefly remembers him through a cartoon in Punch over the words, " Mpret ? M-praps ! " Yet someone has been foolish enough to advise him to remind us of his claim. * * * *