Twenty Years of Balkan TangleDurham, M. E. (Mary Edith)
History
Twenty Years of Balkan Tangle
Durham, M. E. (Mary Edith)
Balkan Peninsula -- Description and travel; Balkan Peninsula -- History; Eastern question (Balkan)
I learnt from Dr. Totirtoulis and others the following facts about
the so-called "Epirote" government of Zographos. The plan was made
in Paris, for, as Krajevsky had declaimed, France did not mean
Albania to exist. The Greeks brought some Greeks from America and
presented them to Cambon, and, it is believed, to Sir Edward Grey
also, saying that they were "Epirotes." The Greek society in Paris
was a strong one, and pushed them. Cambon, in November, advised them
to form an independent government, which was done, as we have shown.
Mr. Lamb (now Sir Harry) told me that at Corfu he told Zographos to
his face that most of his "Epirotes" were Cretans, and that the mere
fact that a Greek ex-minister of Foreign Affairs was running this
"independent government" and trying to dictate terms, was enough in
itself to "give the whole show away," but for the fact that certain
Powers were determined not to see.
The Albanians in the defence of their land had been much hampered by
shortage of ammunition, though quantities had been sent from
Durazzo. It never reached Koritza, for Essad, who was Minister of
War, diverted if for his own purposes. He was in league with the
Serbo-Greek combine, and did not mean the Albanians of the South to
win. He was hated by all the South for his conduct when commanding
gendarmerie in Janina, and also for betraying Scutari. He knew that
a victory for the South meant ruin for him.
A rumour rose soon that the ammunition had gone up to Essad's town,
Tirana, and that there was unrest at Shiak, a village on the road
leading there. Mr. Lamb and the German commissioner hastened to
Durazzo. The foul play over the munitions convinced the Nationalist
Albanians that Essad was brewing mischief. Unless he was preparing a
coup against the Prince, he could have no need of a private munition
store. Information was given to the Prince, who had him arrested by
the Dutch gendarmes and a band of Nationalists on the night of May
18th. A few shots were fired amid shouts of "Down with the
tyrant." He was arrested by the Dutch officer in command, and taken
first to the palace, and then to the Austrian battleship Szigetvar.
Essad was, as most folk knew, the agent of the combine against
Austria and Germany. Italy was ready to partition Albania between
the Greeks and Serbs, rather than let Austria gain power there. Now
she has realized that the Slav is her enemy, but then, in May 1914,
she was furious at Essad's arrest, and demanded his release. The
correct course was to try and, if guilty, execute him. But trial
would have meant conviction, and Italy would not hear of it. The
Italian and Austrian battleships cleared for action, though the
Powers had neutralized the Albanian coast. For twenty-four hours the
position was precarious, but Austria once more swallowed her pride
and yielded--this time to Italy. The Prince surrendered Essad to the
Italians on condition that he did not return to Albania. With
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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