Herbert for the Albanians: Beautiful, intelligent, brave, loyal, but against the state order... and the Ottoman Empire did only what they wanted!

This is a partial translation from the book 'A record of eastern travel' by the author Aubrey Herbert, the greatest friend of the Albanians, who appears in this work under his pseudonym Ben Kendim. The book was published in 1923 and this part presents a brief note of Albanian history that covers the period from the Ottoman era until independence. Interestingly, the writing has been simplified in order to be read and understood by the general British public.

Shqipëria

"We don't want roads in our country because roads lead to occupation, exploitation and loss of our heritage," the Albanians said.

'Very well', said Stambolli, 'you will have no way'.

"We don't even want military service because we were all born free, regardless of whether we are Catholic, Orthodox or Muslim," the Albanians said with great determination.

Even with this request, Porta agreed, while most Albanians joined the Turkish Army as volunteers.

"We don't like Turkish judges", the Albanians declared.

'Now, don't overdo it,' said Porta. 'Don't go that far as this issue touches the depths of the state. Accept this compromise. Allow the Turkish judges and we promise you that they will not judge anyone'.

"Okay", said the Albanians.

The old regime in Turkey was willing to accept freedom and permission to approve anarchy in Albania, which at that time was a useful servant of the empire. It is fair to say that Turkish law has not ruled anywhere in the mountains of Albania, although it has slowly been established in cities such as Shkodra, Elbasan and Ioannina.

Albanians are and have always been great lovers of their lands and rocks and the system of life they have built. It was a heavy system, but it suited the people; each man has been his own sufficient policeman, and revenge has been their accepted law. What Europe would label as revenge, Albanians have called justice. From the point of view of civilized countries, Albania has been a country without law. However, the small crimes that in Western Europe overwhelm the newspaper chronicles, the police and the courts, have been very rare in Albania.

There is much to be said for Albanian law. Truth, courage and reliability have been qualities of this people who have cultivated them diligently and this fact has been known throughout the Near East. Bank guards, from Cairo to Greece and from Istanbul to Jerusalem, have often been Albanians. Breach of trust or theft of money by Albanians in these responsible positions has been so rare that it is practically unknown.

Albanians also possess an indescribable quality. They have a charm of their own kind and a magic attractiveness for their country which leaves a lasting impression on most of those who have been to Albania.

In appearance and body, the Albanians of the north rival any race in Europe. On market days in Shkodër, in the past, one could see the Thatanic highlanders with half-shaven heads and their restless eyes torn between interest in market goods and tense caution for the possibility of an enemy. in the vicinity. Women have a cuteness that no two people enjoy and that is also different from any other race. They look like Madonnas who have come down from the snowy mountains. But the intelligence and quickness of mind of mountain men is more interesting than the rare beauty of their women.

In 1880 Mr. Goschen and Lord Edmund Fitzmaurice drafted a memorandum for the formation of an autonomous Albania. The borders they proposed differ widely from today's as they included the plain of Kosovo, the vilayet of Shkodra, the city of Ioannina and parts of the vilayet of Manastir. They have been impartial people, and their proposal was aimed at achieving peace. Their proposals were not approved.

During the centuries when Turkey dominated the Balkans, the national feeling was wrapped up and not nourished in the lands of its rule. Bulgarians have slept without dreams, while Serbs only remember the greatness of the past from dreams. The aspirations of the Greeks were limited only to a small circle of their intelligence. In Albania, there are no doubts and no dreams because the people have never, not even for a moment, lost knowledge of the authenticity of their race.

The spirit of union has sailed for a long time on the water, but has not yet found its boat. Before the country reaches the articulated common goal it must go through an experience of fire. Throughout the winter of 1912, the Montenegrins were engaged in propaganda work towards the highlanders in the north.

A commission under the leadership of Adil Beu and accompanied by Mr. Robert Graves has gone through Albania in order to eliminate the problems that caused fermentation. In Shkodër, Adil Bey appointed Hysen Riza Pasha as vali and military commander of the city, which he immediately began to fortify. The mission came under fire more than once during the journey and failed to succeed. Very soon the Albanian revolt broke out in Kosovo under the leadership of Isa Boletini. Albanian weapons triumphed everywhere. The Albanians took possession of Skopje and kept most of the north where I had the good fortune to see the incidents which I will describe in another chapter. Porta understood that I have to make a deal. The Albanians were promised autonomy which would include the vilayet of Kosovo, Shkodra, Ioannina and part of that of Manastir. This concession came late. This gave reason for the aggression of the Balkan Alliance, which did not want an independent Albania.

The eyes of the prophet were not needed to see the division of Albania that was the result of the victory of the Balkan Alliance. Ismail Bey Qemali came to Vlora in August 1912, before the declaration of war by the Balkan states, and at the beginning of the war he returned to Istanbul. He returned again to Vlora and proclaimed the independence of Albania by raising the national flag on November 28, 1912. Qemali notified the Powers who did not pay any attention. The Greeks, awakened by the birth of the new Albanian state, took matters into their own hands and blocked Vlora, the seat of the provisional government whose members were Dom Nikollë Kaçorri, Mufid Bej Libohova and Mithat Bej Frashëri.

In 1913, the Albanian delegation, led by Ismail Bey Qemali, consisting of Mehmet Bey Konica a Muslim from the south, Filip Noga a Catholic from the north, Monsignor Fan Noli an Orthodox from Ibriktepe and Faik Bey Konica who represented Albanian immigrants from America within the Vatra federation, came to London to present their demands to the Ambassadors' Conference.

On March 6, 1913, King George of Greece was killed in Thessaloniki, and King Constantine came to the throne. Meanwhile, the war was going badly for the Turks: Thessaloniki was taken almost without a shot being fired; Adrianople [Edrene] put up heroic resistance; The monastery was still surrounded. In Shkodër, Hysen Riza Pasha was killed after leaving Esat Pasha's house where he had had dinner. In the Balkans it was customary for the host to send one or two men armed with lanterns to escort the guest home after dinner. Hysen Riza Pasha left Esat Pasha's house alone. Riza Pasha was brought back to Esat Pasha's house a few minutes before he died. Bounuo kim yapdi – 'who did this'? - asked Esat Pasha. Sen bendenü bilirsin – 'you know better than me' – Hysen Riza had said and died.

Then, Esat Pasha took command and made an agreement with the Serbs. His critics have said that finances have played an important role and that he [Esat Pasha] was also promised the principality of central Albania. He marched from Shkodra on April 23. The powers refused to recognize the Montenegrin occupation of Shkodra and Admiral Cecil Burney went to the city as head of the international force on 13 May when the Montenegrins were forced to evacuate the city.

Thus it happened that Albania, being the first in the war for freedom, on its own account opened the way for the expansion of other Balkan states. The Balkan Allies invaded Albania as friends and as liberators, but remained there as possessors and as heirs. Albania has been like Samson in the Gaza Temple. She [Albania] overthrew the Ottoman Empire, and on her head fell the heights. /Telegraph/