The extent of the task that awaits the new Sovereign
of Albania is clearly shown in an interesting article in
Wednesday's Times. The writer, who crossed from Dibra to the Mat country before the Balkan War, gives a vivid picture of this strange country, almost as little known as Afghanistan, which it closely resembles. " In Central Albania the land is so throttled with the blood feud that ordinary human intercourse is almost impossible." The houses are great fortresses, the only windows being loopholes for Martinis, and many men have not left them for years. A stranger, if he meets the enemies of his friends, is himself counted an enemy, but the murder of a stranger puts his protectors under the unusual obligation of killing not one but seven of the murderer's family. Prince William's first giant task, the writer sums up, ie to stamp out the blood feud and carry some semblance of law into the mountains. Above all, he Must rule as well as reign, for the Albanians will have no roi faineant.
