811.4061 March of Time/40: Telegram

The Chargé in Albania ( Riggs ) to the Secretary of State

36. Department’s telegram No. 22, November 23, noon. In interview today with the Prime Minister4 and Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs I presented copy of message and added suitable oral explanations in full. Prime Minister was cordial and courteous and desired to express the thanks of himself and his Government for the friendly and considerate message. He said he understood the situation but gently remarked that nevertheless sovereigns and heads of states should be immune from slander and ridicule. I replied that greatly as it deplored such cases our Government had no legal power to take action. I cited the recent case with Japan.5 My impression is that he now considers matter officially closed.6

Riggs
  1. Mehdi Frasheri.
  2. See telegram No. 119, September 16, 6 p.m., to the Chargé in Japan, and telegram No. 187, September 17, 5 p.m., from the Chargé in Japan, vol. iv, pp. 296 and 298.
  3. The American Minister, after his return to Tirana, reported in his despatch No. 269, December 23, 1936, that he had an audience with King Zog on December 17, when he mentioned “the profound regret of my Government over this incident,” and in reply His Majesty expressed “his sincere gratitude for the attitude” of the United States Government. (811.4061 March of Time/45)