THE CONQUEST OF GREECE BY GREEKS
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.]
Sra,—In his most interesting article Mr. Casson makes sonic observations on modern Greek life, which are erroneous. He considers that the Albanizing element in Central Greece amounts to 60 per cent, of the whole population, and that towns such as Sparta, Patras and Thebes are Albanizing centres. It is a well-known fact that five centuries ago Albanians settled in Greece, chiefly in the Northern Pelo- ponnesus, Attica and Euboea. Their number, according to Leak, was 200,000 at the beginning of the nineteenth century but in time not only did the Albanizing element completely disappear from the Pelopormesus, but also it is now half assimilated into the native Greek of Attica and Euboea. Sometimes Albanians from villages in Attica cannot even speak their own tongue.
The population of Central Greece (south of Thessaly) was, according to the census of 1907, 1,834,513, so even if we accept for the present Leak's statement as being correct, only one-tenth of the population would be Albanian, and not three-fifths as Mr. Casson states. I must thank Mr. Casson for his appreciation of the welcome that Greek refugees found amongst their own brothers of Free Greece.—I am, Sir, &e.,
AMALIOS TEIMICALIS
(Graduate of the Athens University).
Glasgow.
Previous page
