It is difficult to judge the extent and seriousness of
the Albanian rising. Messages from liskub speak of a rebel- lion all over the country, but Turkish official accounts are expressed in optimistic phrases. Probably, as the Vienna correspondent of the Times says, the truth is between the extremes. It is certain that the Turkish Govern- ment has grave apprehensions, or there would not be so many reports of troops being hurried to Northern Albania. Prenk Pasha, the chief of the Mirdites, however, is said to be about to accompany the Turkish troops operating against his own people. An interesting point is the behaviour of Montenegro. Turkish telegrams report the presence of Montenegrins with the insurgents. The King of Montenegro has withdrawn a subsidy granted to Albanian refugees in Montenegro, but has not allowed any Turkish troops to cross the Montenegrin frontier. The Montenegrin Government has appealed to the Powers to urge Turkey to introduce reforms in Albania with the greatest moderation, as Albanian unrest always reacts most injuriously upon Montenegro. The large numbers of Albanian refugees in Montenegro are a considerable tax on the country, and as the spring advances relations with Turkey might easily become strained to a dangerous point.
