No. 41.
Mr. Kasson
to Mr. Evarts.
Vienna, May 5, 1880. (Received May 19.)
Sir: The condition of affairs in Montenegro and Albania is again attracting attention here and causing anxiety. In that region east of the Adriatic, without a press, situate outside of the limits of foreign travel, without correspondents even, other than those connected with the dipplomatic and consular service, popular movements and military events take place, without the knowledge of foreigners, which may involve other nations in war.
[Page 55]You are already aware that it has been necessary, through Italian mediation to eliminate from that very imperfect mosaic called the “Berlin Treaty” a section which ceded Albanian territory to Montenegro, and to substitute another cession which was supposed to excite in a less degree the hostility of the warlike Albanians. The action of the Turkish officials has prevented the peaceful delivery of the ceded district. Troops are assembling by thousands on both sides. The honor of the great powers seems to be pledged to this new cession. Meantime, Albanian determination to keep every acre of their territory seems to increase. They are inclined to cut loose from the Porte.
The following proclamation has been for some time moving that people toward independence. It is also designed to check Austria in her aspirations for extension of her power from the Herzegovina to Saloniea. I translate it from the French:
Albanians! Europe has for the Bulgarians erected a principality; has subjected Bosnia and Herzegovina to the power of Austria; has given territories and independence to Montenegro and to Servia; has accorded autonomy to Roumania; and to us—what have we received? Nothing; absolutely nothing! We others, we Albanians, who are no immigrants, but the veritable original inhabitants of this land, who were already in possession of our independence ages ago, we must reclaim for ourselves the right to form a state. Thessaly, Epirus, and Albania proper—behold there a country of three millions of Albanians; and this country we wish to be free, independent, and governed by a prince. This is what we wish, or death! We will no longer support a shameful existence.
I transmit it for your information as showing a new and really important factor in the coming readjustment of territory and of government in what was lately European Turkey but what is now a seething region of conflicting aspirations of various nationalities, all with aversion from the Turkish authority, and all looking for local independence and national unity.
I have, &c.,