Office of the Historian

711.75/2–446: Telegram

The Representative in Albania (Jacobs) to the Secretary of State

top secret
priority
Tirana, February 4, 1946—5 p.m.
[Received February 5—12:35 p.m.]

85. As our relations here continue to worsen and Soviet prestige increases, herewith with résumé developments to be followed in separate telegram9 by certain deductions and recommendations:

1.
Since seeing Hoxha, Jan 31 regarding alien staff have heard nothing from him but names of all Italian employees have been posted at deportation camp for departure. As Marinschak’s name has not appeared I assume Hoxha and authorities intend to say no more than he indicated. Marinschak’s case is special but Italians must go (my telegram 73, Jan 31).10
2.
Press and radio campaigns indirectly slapping US continues. (My telegram 71).11 During Sunday morning regular radio program an Albanian opportunity taken poke fun at Stettinius as head of UNO12 when commentator said that probable reason why Stettinius did not want Albania admitted was that he had heard that Albanians “eat men”. Same commentator made fun UNRRA saying it brought in “frogs” (meaning jeeps) to kill “dogs”. Sunday issue Bashkimi13 in more sober tone expressed regret to Albanian people that its American and British Allies were affording asylum in neo-Fascist Italy to such war criminals as Kadri-Cakrani and Xhelal Staravecka who executed massacres Tirana February 4, 1944. Persons mentioned are two of Albania’s three worst war criminals (Devais [Khafer Deva?] third) whom Brig. Hodgson recommended last July should be turned over to Albanians.14
3.
Marked falling off in calls at Mission of friendly Albanians and according to word reaching us, some have been warned to stay away and others are afraid to come because of press and radio campaign against US, Great Britain and UNRRA. Also, while these three Missions have always been under certain surveillance it is now more strict than ever.
4.
Restrictions imposed upon members of my staff as well as British and UNRRA personnel still continue. All permanent passes to drive on road to Durazzo canceled in December have never been renewed. On Saturday afternoon while walking in hills on outskirts Tirana, Robinson, British Press Attaché, was arrested by soldiers, taken to headquarters and warned not to go walking out of city again. If passes are issued for trips a partisan accompanies.
5.
In discussing opening of Italian representative Turcato’s pouches on his departure (mytel 58, January 2415) Bashkirmi has argued that Albanian authorities have right to open diplomatic pouches to determine whether papers inimical to Albania or contraband are contained therein.
Note should be taken of this because that rule may some day be applied to us.
6.
Most of our informational literature and that of the British is not being displayed and we suspect some not allowed to circulate.
7.
There is considerable military movement in and around Tirana especially northward where marching soldiers frequently seen. These may be mere maneuvers under tutelage Russian army officers now here. But it is possible that these troops are in northern Albania to intimidate opposition who exist largest numbers there.
8.
Number Russians continue increase and one rumor places Russian army officers now here as high as 300. Mytel 68.
9.
There is noticeable silence in press and radio on Albanian Greek problems and Bevin’s speech.16
10.
Deportation of Italians continues. It is believed they will be completely eliminated from country except for few persons with technical knowledge who will promptly be sent out when replaced by Albanians, Yugoslavs or Soviet technicians. Mytel 68, Jan 29.

Repeated Caserta 41, Moscow 8.

Jacobs
  1. See telegram 87, February 5, infra.↩
  2. Not printed; it reported on Jacobs’ conversation with Hoxha relative to the Albanian regime’s order that all alien employees and members of the staff of the United States Mission in Albania leave the country by February 15. Jacobs reported that the “trend of conversation with Hoxha indicated lack of cordiality which has hitherto characterized our conversations.” (124.75/1–3146)↩
  3. Not printed.↩
  4. Edward R. Stettinius, Jr., United States Representative to the United Nations.↩
  5. Newspaper of the Albanian Democratic Front.↩
  6. Brig. D. E. P. Hodgson was Commander, British Military Mission in Albania. His recommendations were reported to the Department in telegram 3288, August 15, 1945, from Caserta (740.00116 EW/8–1545). For United States policy with regard to Albanians in Allied custody charged with war crimes by the Albanian regime, see telegram 31, July 7, 1945, to Tirana, Foreign Relations, 1945, vol. iv, p. 41.↩
  7. Not printed.↩
  8. On Bevin’s speech to the United Nations Security Council on February 1, 1946, see telegram 1275, February 2, from London, vol. vii, p. 104.↩