875.01/291

The Minister in Albania ( Hart ) to the Secretary of State

No. 525

Sir: I have the honor to report that in the order named Italy, Greece, Hungary, Uruguay, the United States, Yugoslavia, Bulgaria, France and Great Britain have recognized the Albanian Kingdom.

After recognition by Uruguay a silence reigned for several days which became exceedingly oppressive to King Zog and his advisers. This spell was broken by the receipt on September 13, of President Coolidge’s telegram of felicitation. The King sent at once to the Foreign Office for a translator and when the telegram was read to him all of official Tirana began to buzz. At about 4 o’clock in the afternoon of the same day, Ilias Vrioni, Minister for Foreign Affairs, asked an appointment and came to see me a half hour later, exhibiting the original telegram.

His face was lighted and he was in ecstasies. He handed me the telegram to read, as I had to confess that I had received no word from Washington. With all of his joy there was an underlying malice against Great Britain, France and Yugoslavia. He intimated that the American recognition would force the other powers to take notice. Then, as when I presented the formal note of recognition on September 15, he said this was the crowning diplomatic triumph of the new government.

The recognition of Italy he said had no special significance because Italy is an ally of Albania, and while Albania was pleased to have the acknowledgement of Greece and Hungary, their recognition failed to impress the world. “But”, he continued, “when the greatest government on earth recognizes, the others will realize that it is time for them to find out what they are going to do.”

Vrioni saw to it that everybody in official life in Tirana heard the news of President Coolidge’s telegram before the night was over and the following morning representatives of most of the governments which had not recognized came early to see me and verify the report. It seemed to me that there was an atmosphere of gloom hovering over them because they believed that it might upset the consultations which they had heard were going on between Paris, London and Belgrade.

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The Yugoslav government recognized on the same day that I delivered the formal note, and it is my opinion that immediately after American recognition the British and French governments suggested that Belgrade act favorably at once and without reservations. My French and British colleagues made no effort to veil the fact that their governments were studying the question of Recognition jointly and that the stumbling block up to that time had been the title voted to the new monarch, “Bang of the Albanians.”

While Great Britain and France recognized on September 21, it is my conviction that, if they did not make representations to the Royal Albanian Government, they agreed upon a joint policy to be pursued in the event that any new pacts with Italy are brought to light which threaten to cause another ruction in the Balkans. And I also can say most assuredly that even Italy had become just a little worried over the silence of Great Britain and France. And no doubt was left in my mind that the Italian Legation here was more than gratified when the United States recognized.

A demonstration was ordered to be held in front of the Legation on the evening of September 15. I invited the multitude to come into the Legation court. There were about 1,500 persons, headed by the Government’s military band. The band first played the American and then the Albanian anthem and gave vociferous applause at which juncture nothing was left for me to do but make a speech, which I had not intended doing.

The Department will not receive a copy of the speech, which was entirely impromptu, but let it suffice to say that I said nothing that would do any harm. While it is the usual course for many foreigners, official and otherwise, when speaking to the people of this country, to treat the Albanians as children, I have never done that.

My policy adopted at the beginning of my career here was followed once again. I assumed that I was facing an assemblage of several hundred intellectual Babe Ruths and gave everyone of them a base on balls. An Albanian who is a graduate of the American Junior Red Cross School responded in genuine oratory.

The Constituent Assembly, meeting at irregular intervals, continues the work of revamping the Constitution. The Statute creating the monarchy, which is about the only finished product of the Assembly, is made an enclosure herewith.10 I quote here the reply of the Royal Government to my formal note of recognition:

Mr. Minister:

I have had the honor to receive your letter of the 14th instant by which Your Excellency kindly informed me that the government of [Page 852] the American Republic had taken note of the resolution of the Constituent Assembly of Albania concerning the establishment of the Monarchical régime in Albania and the elevation to the throne of His Majesty, Zog I, King of the Albanians.

This act of cordial friendship on the part of your honorable Government, recognizing, among the first, the new regime in Albania, is very much appreciated by the Royal Government and the Albanian people, who see in it one more testimonial of the sympathetic sentiments of the great Republic towards Albania.

I pray that Your Excellency be kind enough to interpret to His Government the warmest thanks and the profoundest gratitude of the Royal Government for this amiable action on the part of the Government of the Republic, an action which will add new forces to the cordial relations which exist so happily between our two countries.

I beg Your Excellency to kindly accept the assurances of my very high consideration.

The President of the Council, Minister for Foreign Affairs, ad interim

K. Kotta

I have [etc.]

Charles C. Hart
  1. Not printed.