ALBANIA MAINTENANCE BY THE UNITED STATES OF UNOFFICIAL RELATIONS WITH THE REVOLUTIONARY GOVERNMENT IN ALBANIA 811.111 Rustem, Avni : Telegram The Minister in Albania (Grant-Smith) to the Secretary of State TIRANA, May 4, 1924-noon. [Received 11:25 p. m.] 40. My 35, April 20, 6 p.m.1 The opposition has profited [by] assassination of Avni Rustem 2 to launch agitation which may result in revolution. Deputies attending funeral at Valona made speeches and telegraphed majority party here demanding that Assembly meet elsewhere, alleging lack of personal safety in Tirana. Receiving negative reply, they declared intention not to return for the session opening 7th. Battalion moved to Valona. The Prime Minister made a proclamation warning that revolting would probably result in dissolution of country. Fear of continued influence of late Prime Minister of reactionary leanings and desire to force removal of seat of government apparent actuating motives. Copy to European Information Center. GRANT-SMITH 875.00/122: Telegram The Minister in Albania (Grant-Smith) to the Secretary of State TIRANA, May 18, 1924 [—12 noon]. 43. My telegram number 40 of May 4, noon. . . . Arms are being distributed here to reserves and others. Movement on Scutari planned for this week. A portion of Tirana garrison of doubtful loyalty. Should south join rebels, which seems probable, telegraph lines would be cut. I recommend that a destroyer be sent to Durazzo for communication purposes. Copy to European Information Center. 1 Not printed. GRANT-SMITH n a A prominent delegate to the Constituent Assembly who was shot on street in Tirana Apr. 20 and died Apr. 22. 3 Ahmed Bey Zogu. 875.00/124: Telegram The Minister in Albania (Grant-Smith) to the Secretary of State TIRANA, May 19, 1924—3 p. m. 44. My 43, May 18, 12 noon. Officers of Tirana garrison have notified the Government their objection to precipitating civil war by moving on Scutari. The Assembly has sent delegation to confer with recalcitrant members at Scutari. Prospects for peaceful solution brighter. Destroyer not needed unless foreign communications with central Albania interrupted. I recommend the Embassy at Rome be instructed to communicate direct with Admiral in such case. Copy to European Information Bureau. GRANT-SMITH 875.00/122: Telegram The Secretary of State to the Minister in Albania (Grant-Smith) WASHINGTON, May 20, 1924-5 p. m. 31. Your 43, May 18 and 44, May 19, 3 p. m. Department has informed Navy of substance of your telegrams and in accordance with your recommendation has expressed desire that the Commander of United States Naval Forces in European waters be authorized to despatch a destroyer to Durazzo upon receipt of a request to that effect from you or the Embassy at Rome. Embassy at Rome has been advised in the premises by telegraph. HUGHES 875.00/133: Telegram The Ambassador in Italy (Fletcher) to the Secretary of State ROME, June 2, 1924-8 p. m. [Received 8:45 p. m.] 104. I am just notified by the Foreign Office that as communication with Durazzo is interrupted an Italian destroyer is being sent immediately to Durazzo. In accordance with desire of Minister Tirana I have just relayed his request for a destroyer to the naval attaché at Athens. FLETCHER 875.00/134: Telegram The Ambassador in Italy (Fletcher) to the Secretary of State ROME, June 5, 1924—11 a. m. 105. Albanian revolution seems to be succeeding. Details as far as known here are fully covered in Associated Press reports. Copy to European Information Center. FLETCHER 875.00/136: Telegram The Minister in Albania (Grant-Smith) to the Secretary of State TIRANA, June 6, 1924-7 p.m. 49. Armistice declared evening 4th at the instance of the Government. Beys fearful confiscation of estates. The same day the majority of the Government deputies, a number of officials and families, fled to Durazzo. Tirana garrison immediately took effective measures to insure public safety. Force of tribesmen raised by Ahmed Zogu dissolving, carrying off arms. Nationalists insist upon immediate exile of Ahmed Bey . . . Destroyer Bulmer arrived at Durazzo Wednesday afternoon. Copy to European Information Center. GRANT-SMITH 875.00/138: Telegram The Ambassador in Italy (Fletcher) to the Secretary of State [Paraphrase] ROME, June 7, 1924-3 p.m. 111. Following information regarding Albanian situation is confidential. I have been requested by the Secretary General of the Foreign Office to inform you that the Governments of Italy and Yugoslavia have no intention of interfering in the internal affairs of Albania in any way and that on this point the two Governments are completely in accord.* FLETCHER In despatch no. 78, June 9, the Ambassador in Italy reported that the Italian Foreign Office had issued a communiqué to the press of similar purport to the statement reported in this telegram. 875.00/140: Telegram The Ambassador in Italy (Fletcher) to the Secretary of State ROME, June 11, 1924-noon. 114. Following from Grant-Smith: [Received 2:06 p. m.] "Repeat to Department: 51, June 8, 4 p. m. The Prime Minister, War Minister and Commander of Gendarmerie fled to Durazzo today. Some hundreds of armed tribesmen still in Tirana. Local authorities will probably be able to maintain order. Government forces in south routed. Insurgent forces expected to enter Tirana tomorrow." FLETCHER 875.002/10: Telegram The Minister in Albania (Grant-Smith) to the Secretary of State [Paraphrase] TIRANA, June 19, 1924-8 a. m. 56. The following Cabinet was announced the day before yesterday: Prime Minister, Fan Noli; Foreign Affairs, Suleiman Delvino; War, Colonel Kiafzezi; Finance, Gurakuchi; Interior, Colonel Shala; Public Works, Kotsuli; Justice, Vinyau. Foreign representatives were given the announcement formally in writing. I have not answered. It is very questionable whether Peci, the one remaining regent, has legal authority to authorize the formation of a cabinet, The Italians much desire that the present regime be given support by the admission of its legality. If this is not given they wish nevertheless that it receive the support of early recognition. Of course the British Minister, who left June 15 for London, is very much opposed to recognition. My French colleague is not inclined to admit the legality of the regime and expresses doubts regarding its stability. The Greeks and Servians may be expected to seek the overthrow of the regime, though not openly. The present regime is a minority in the Parliament which has gained power with the help of the Army and is [not?] considered a legal government under the present constitution until it has received a vote of confidence from the reassembled Assembly or until new elections have been held. It would appear that American interests would be served by the continuance of the new regime, which is favorably inclined toward us at present and is committed against the pretensions of the British. Until I receive instructions I intend to refrain from any act which rightly could be construed as recognition but I shall keep up friendly though informal relations with the leaders. GRANT-SMITH 875.002/11: Telegram The Minister in Albania (Grant-Smith) to the Secretary of State [Paraphrase] TIRANA, June 21, 1924—4 p. m. [Received June 22-11:10 a. m.] 5 58. Legation's 56, June 19, 8 a. m. Mussolini has answered a telegram which was sent to him direct from Fan Noli, and the notes which the Albanian Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs addressed to my Italian colleague have been formally acknowledged in terms which are usual after there has been a normal change of Ministry. The question of recognition was not mentioned. I have been informed by the Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that a reply to Fan Noli's telegram has been received from the Yugoslav Prime Minister in similar terms. The French Chargé has not received instructions as yet. GRANT-SMITH 875.01/244: Telegram The Minister in Albania (Grant-Smith) to the Secretary of State [Paraphrase] TIRANA, June 22, 1924-6 p. m. 59. Legation's 56, June 19, 8 a. m. Fan Noli called upon me today and made a plea for recognition by the United States. His plea was expressed in the same terms as transmitted through the Albanian consul at New York. He caused telegrams to be given to me which had been received from the League of Nations and from the Greek, Italian, and Yugoslav Prime Ministers acknowledging his announcement of the formation of a new Albanian Government. The Greek and Yugoslav replies were cordial and did not raise the question of recognition. The Italian Government had Fan Noli notified of a fact yesterday which he did not mention to me, that the telegram from Mussolini could not be construed as 'Benito Mussolini, President of the Council of Ministers and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Italy. See telegram no. 41, June 25, to the Minister in Albania, p. 311. |