File No. 867.00/642
The Consul at Saloniki (Kehl) to the Secretary of State
Saloniki, July 31, 1914.
[Received September 4.]
No. 132]
Sir: I have the honor to submit the following report on the political situation in this district:
The reoccupation of Kortcha on July 7 by the Epirotes adds another very serious phase to the already deeply enmeshed principality of Albania. The invading army headed by Capt. Tzontos Vardas, whose resignation from the Hellenic Regular Army was accepted through royal decree a few days before the occupation, is referred to in the Grecian press as the army of autonomous Epirus. On the other hand it has been repeatedly asserted by Albanian interests that this army is commanded largely by officers of the Greek Regular Army and that the Epirus propaganda has the moral, if not the material, support of the Hellenic Government.
[Page 89]The following synopsis of Kortcha events may be of some interest: It will be recalled that the town was first occupied by Greek regulars during the latter part of November 1912. In course of time the European concert decided on the conversion of Albania into an independent principality. Greek forces, mostly Epirotes, were in possession of a large part of Albania and there was no indication of a willingness to relinquish the occupied territory. An international commission for the delimitation of the south Albanian frontier was accordingly appointed by the European powers. In the filial decision of this commission, made public during October 1913, the districts of Kortcha, Colonia, and Argyrokastron were embodied in New Albania. The Hellenic Government and many Greek inhabitants of southern Albania protested vigorously against the delimitation as fixed by this commission, contending that the districts in question are purely Greek and would never submit to Musulman jurisdiction. A delegation of Korizians called on Prime Minister Venizelos in Saloniki and expressed their determination to destroy Kortcha by fire rather than see it fall into the hands of the Albanians. The Prime Minister counseled against such action and is said to have remarked, “Why should we destroy that which eventually will be ours?” Following the decision of the boundary commission, the European concert requested the Hellenic Government to remove its troops from Kortcha and other parts of Albanian territory before January 1, 1914. Under one pretext or the other, Greek regulars remained in Kortcha and exercised full military and administrative control up to March 2, 1914, on which day the town and district were handed over to the Albanian authorities. The greater part of the Greek army of occupation withdrew to Florina, 50 miles east of Kortcha, while many inhabitants of the affected district took up their abode in Argyrokastron and vicinity and there continued their opposition to annexation.
On February 23, 1914, the autonomy of Epirus, with Argyrokastron as seat of government, was declared. On the same day a committee for the defense of Epirus was organized in Athens, electing Mr. Christaki Zographos President of the provisional Government. Arms, ammunition, and soldiers were acquired in remarkably quick time and in less than one month the army of autonomous Epirus was in the field ready to oppose Albanian assimilation by force of arms. The revolt was strong, determined, and very popular in new and old Greece. It soon became evident that this separatist movement could not be quelled by a counterforce of arms and that liberal administrative concessions would be necessary to cope with the situation. Accordingly the International Commission of Control invited Mr. Zographos and other leaders of the Epirus movement to Corfu for a conference. The protocol of this conference, signed on May 17, 1914, provides in behalf of the Epirotes: Full religious freedom for the Greek Orthodox Church; official recognition of the Greek language; Christian governors for the districts claimed by the Epirotes and the administrative councils of these districts proportioned according to the predominance of the various religions; the gendarmerie to be composed of Christians; amnesty to all Epirote revolutionists; a continuance of the privileges and immunities enjoyed under Ottoman régime, etc. This protocol was approved by the Albanian Government on June 7, 1914. It appears [Page 90] that the concessions made to the Epirotes occasioned great dissatisfaction among the Mohammedans. The political interests of several neighboring states also appear to have been instrumental in adding to the pandemonium. The followers of Essad Pasha revolted, which in turn caused the adherents of other Albanian leaders to leave the ranks of the Nationalists and join in a movement for the overthrow of Prince William and thereby have created a civil war.
The powers responsible for placing Prince William on the Albanian throne now appear to be indifferent to his success or the future of Albania. The Epirotes were quick to take advantage of the disturbed situation and pushed their army beyond the lines of the accepted autonomous district and are now occupying all of the Albanian territory originally claimed by Greece. The International Commission of Control have protested against this extension of the so-called autonomous Epirus zone but without avail. The Albanian situation has now developed into a three-cornered fight—Epirotes, Insurgents, and Nationalists. The Epirotes, insisting on the abdication of Prince William, are disorganized but in possession of the greater part of Albania.
* * *
During the past six weeks there has been a very noticeable activity in military circles. Officers of the French military mission have visited and inspected the five army divisions distributed throughout Macedonia. Maneuvers are of daily occurrence. Recruits for the army and the gendarmerie are being drilled and distributed as rapidly as conditions permit. The practice fire of artillery and the fortifications in the vicinity of Saloniki can be heard daily between 7 and 10 a.m. Particular stress is being laid on developing the cavalry and artillery under the tutelage of French officers. A large quantity of old steel rails has arrived in Saloniki. These rails are being used for the construction of fortifications. Forage and army supplies, including winter capes, have arrived in large quantities during the past four weeks. It is estimated that 60,000 men of all arms, on a war footing, are now concentrated in Macedonia east of the Vardar River. This concentration is directed against Bulgaria. Skirmishes between Greek patrols and Bulgarian comitadjis are of daily occurrence. An element of uncertainty is very apparent throughout the whole of Greek-occupied Macedonia. The Bulgarian Government is making strenuous efforts for a revision of the Treaty of Bucharest. The Greco-Bulgarian commission charged with fixing the frontier lines at Okdjilar are unable to come to an agreement and have discontinued their conferences. The Ottoman Government declines to amicably surrender to Greece the islands of Chios and Mytilene. There is much conjecture as to the attitude of the Ottoman Government after her navy has been strengthened by the acquisition of the two dreadnoughts, Rechadie and Sultan Osman, now in English yards and about ready for delivery. Greek refugees continue to arrive but in a lesser number than during the month of June. The greater part of the arrivals during the past two weeks hail from Thrace which indicates that the Bulgarians are making a clean sweep of Greeks within their territory.
[Page 91]The Austro-Hungarian declaration of war against Servia, on July 28, has greatly weakened the political position of Greece in Macedonia. The new Balkan situation, which temporarily deprives the Hellenes of their ally, is of too recent origin for development. If reliance can be placed on the despatches published by Saloniki newspapers, a Greco-Bulgarian war is imminent.
I am forced to believe that Saloniki is facing a very serious situation. At present there are 20,000 refugees in this city and an additional 70,000 within a radius of 25 miles. The greater part of these refugees are being maintained by the Hellenic Government. In the event of another war, most of the inhabitants of Greek Macedonia will flee to Saloniki and within ten days this city will have no less than half a million mouths to feed in addition to caring for certain needs of the army. The available food supply under most favorable circumstances, will not suffice for eight days without replenishing. Another serious feature is the maintaining of a good sanitary condition in Saloniki. Cholera exists in the Gumuldjina district from which 5,000 refugees arrived in Saloniki during the past two weeks. I am unable to confirm a persistent rumor of the existence of cholera in Saloniki. The Department of Health reported 43 deaths from “cholerine” during the week ended July 25.
The inhabitants of Saloniki are very much disturbed over the general situation. In the event of a European war, which now seems inevitable, Greek Macedonia may be plunged into a third war, more savage than either of the last two, and more than likely devoid of all respect for the laws of civilized warfare.
I have [etc.]