875.6363/111: Telegram
The Chargé in Albania (Swift) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 28—2:54 a.m.]
48. Department’s no. 27, August 7, 7 p.m. The Legation is unable to say at this time whether or not all foreign governments will adopt [Page 392] the Financial Adviser’s suggestions. His advice does not seem to carry great weight with leaders of the Government.
I am reliably informed that at a meeting attended yesterday by a score of deputies of the Government party, including the Prime Minister and most of the Cabinet, an attempt was made to make the question of oil concessions a party issue with the object of forcing the adoption of the Anglo-Persian’s contract later on. The Prime Minister, the Minister of Justice, the Minister of Public Works, the President of Parliament and a deputy from Durazzo spoke in favor of the motion. Their arguments were based on the great advantage to be won by gaining Great Britain’s support while the final decision of the Council of Ambassadors on the boundary question is still pending. The Minister of Finance, the Minister of Public Instruction, the President of the Government party and deputies from Scutari and Durazzo spoke against adoption as a party measure. Other deputies did not participate in discussion. The suggestion was made that all contracts for oil concessions be published so that deputies would be able to study them and then vote independently and according to individual judgment. There was no vote taken on any question, however, and the meeting adjourned.
Thus it appears that the more influential leaders of the Government party favor the adoption of the Anglo-Persian Company’s contract, but it is also apparent from what took place at the party meeting that there seems to be opposition inside the Government party. Observers of experience, however, are inclined to think that the division of opinion in the Government ranks is factitious rather than real and was arranged by those in control.
The members of the Opposition comprise approximately one-third of the Parliamentary votes and are believed to oppose en bloc the ratification of the Anglo-Persian’s contract.