The role of Ismail Qemali in the independence of Albania

By: Evarist Beqiri

Much has been said and much has been written about the role of Austria-Hungary in the realization of Albania's Independence. It is worth emphasizing from the beginning that the Austro-Hungarian and Italian political support was extremely important in the establishment of the modern Albanian state. However, beyond myths and complexes towards foreigners, which hide at best ignorance and at worst malice, it is worthwhile to objectively analyze historical events and facts. Because, the more clearly we look at our past, the more clearly we can discern our future... Beyond clichéd servility, it should be emphasized at the outset that Austria-Hungary and the other Powers, faced with under the pressure of growing Pan-Slavism, were for maintaining the status quo in the Balkans. They were against secession of other non-Turkish peoples from the empire. Therefore, Albanian patriots initially sought autonomy from the Ottoman Empire. The secession of the Albanians from the Ottoman state, even by revolutionary means, would require the intervention of the neighboring states that were actually waiting for this moment, as it happened.

Also from Evarist Beqiri:

- Ismail Qemal's clashes with the Sultan

- Ismail Bey Qemali at the Congress of Young Turks in 1902 in Paris

- "The New York Times" about the escape of Ismail Qemali from Istanbul

- Strength of character and leadership: Ismail Qemali's skills as governor of Beirut

In these conditions, Albanian patriots were working to raise the level of national consciousness by intensifying the work for the cultivation of the Albanian language and opening as many schools as possible in the mother tongue. Ismail Qemali, during the period he lived in Brussels and was working on the Albanian issue, held meetings with various diplomats. Such was also the case with Count Metsch Khevenhüller, the Austro-Hungarian ambassador in Brussels, which was conveyed in a report sent to the Foreign Minister of Austria-Hungary, Count Agenor Maria Gołuchowski, from Brussels on June 6, 1901. In the report he reflected the diplomatic conversation between him and Ismail Qemali.

In this meeting, Ismail Qemali directly asked the Austro-Hungarian consul for the support of Austria-Hungary, in advancing the Albanian issue, awakening the Albanian national consciousness through the cultivation of the Albanian language in schools. At the same time, he sought support to strengthen the idea of ​​autonomy and gradually prepare Albania to stand on its own as an independent state, in the event of the eventual destruction of the Ottoman Empire.

The diplomatic reports of this period also reflect the increase in controls on the use of books and newspapers in the Albanian language. This manifestation of the nervousness of the Ottoman authorities and their great concern is noticed immediately after the escape of Ismail Qemali from Istanbul. The Turkish authorities had increased vigilance in Albania, since Ismail Qemali was one of the most prominent Albanians who served in the Ottoman state. Also, Ismail Qemali had many followers in South Albania, who appreciated him as a statesman with great culture. These facts worried the Ottoman authorities. But, with their aggressive reaction to Ismail Qemali's escape, they gave him a brighter halo. In the wake of these actions, the palace charged Esad saw Toptan to collect signatures in South and North Albania, for a statement against Ismail Qemali. Albanian patriots and the entire population that was dissatisfied with the situation, began to feed great hopes and ideals to the figure of Ismail Qemali. These developments transformed him into the most important Albanian personality. As a result, the Ottoman authorities were frightened and became even more nervous. They began to carry out numerous checks in the homes of Albanian patriots. They also carried out arrests of Albanian patriots in Albania and Turkey.

As early as the first decade of the 1908th century, Ismail Qemali was universally accepted as the leader of the Albanians. At the same time, even after the victory of the Young Turk Revolution (XNUMX), he was seen as one of the main Ottoman figures.

Two important events for the fate of the Balkans would take place in 1908: the complete annexation of Bosnia-Herzegovina by Austria-Hungary and the declaration of independence of Bulgaria. The Young Turks realized that, if they were to follow this line, the end of the Ottoman rule would be quick, so they immediately started centralizing policies. In these moments there were two Albanian patriotic currents: 1) The nationalist wing led by Ismail Qemali wanted this moment to be used and for the Ottoman state to officially recognize the existence of the Albanian nation and at the same time for Albania to govern itself as a well-defined political entity; 2) The moderate wing, headed by Mid'hat Frashëri, was for the advancement of cultural demands and for education in the Albanian language, while they were not for political demands.

The uprising of 1910, in Kosovo, was strongly supported by the Albanian deputies in the Ottoman Parliament, where Ismail Qemali, Hasan Prishtina, Nexhip Draga and Myfit Libohova stood out. Ismail Qemal Vlora, during the activity in the Turkish Parliament, courageously defended the fight of the Kosovo Albanians in the uprising of 1910 against the Young Turk government, which was violating their rights and freedoms. In his speech, he asked the Young Turks to keep the word of their ancestors and respect the centuries-old tradition in Albanian-Turkish relations, not interfering in the internal affairs of Albania. In the descriptions of Austrian politicians and diplomats, the uprising in Northern Albania was seen as the personal work of Ismail Qemali. According to them, he was convinced that sooner or later Austria-Hungary will be forced to help the Albanians in their struggle for freedom.

But, until the years 1910-1911, the attitude and official policy of Austria-Hungary towards the Albanian people did not go beyond sympathy and interest for it to develop within the Ottoman Empire and in accordance with the Turkish state interests. Austria-Hungary saw the Albanians as a very important element of the Ottoman Empire. The Austro-Hungarians were with both the Albanians and the Turks and did not want to interfere in the internal affairs of the Ottoman Empire.

Meanwhile, Ismail Qemali, with his far-sighted vision, continued to persistently seek the support of Austria-Hungary towards the Albanian issue, seeing the impending destruction of the Ottoman Empire on the horizon. His political and diplomatic skills would come to the fore again, in the formulation of the Memorandum of Greece, in June 1911. This document was the embodiment of Albanian demands for full autonomy. It preserved the spirit of the basic political documents of the second half of the XNUMXth century.

However, this political development in the Albanian lands proved to the broad international opinion that there was still an unresolved problem in the Balkans. This memorandum became the basic political document for any kind of political steps that would be taken later. Finally, on the eve of the fall of the Ottoman Empire, Austria-Hungary saw an independent Albania as its only ally in the Balkans in its attempt to put a barrier to Pan-Slavism and Italian expansion. But, despite the important role of Austria-Hungary, Albania's independence was not granted. Because nobody forgives anything in the arena of international politics. Apart from political support, from a logistical point of view the request that the Austro-Hungarians made to Ismail Qemali was minimalistic but important. They provided him with a means of navigation to reach the Albanian coast.

The saga for Albanian independence was coming to an end. Ismail Qemali and the delegates left Trieste for the Albanian coast on November 19 with the Austrian ship "Brünn". In the evening of November 20, 1912, under the light of the twinkling moon that was shining on the Albanian coast, near Cape Rodon or Cape Skenderbeu, they went down to the other Austrian ship "Wurmbrand", where they spent the night before landing in Durrës. Under the stars of the magical Albanian autumn nights, divine Providence had predicted that before they crowned their holy mission in Vlorë, they should make a last stop, right in front of the Castle and Church of our National Hero, in Rodon. It seems that our national hero wanted to give his protection and blessing to Ismail Qemali, in this golden autumn of Albanianism. Here's how a participant in this event, Dhimitër Zografi, remembers this moment: "On the same day as the Bucharest delegates, Ismail Qemali and Luigj Gurakuqi arrived in Trieste (returning from a visit to Austria-Hungary - EB note). They brought the news that Vlora was blocked by the Greeks, so they had to leave immediately for Durrës before this road was closed. At the disposal of the Albanian delegates, Austria had put the special steamer 'Graf Wurmbrand'. Their mission would be the protection of Austria and Italy. In Trieste they bought weapons and ammunition and headed for Albania. Another steamer from Austria followed everything that was happening in Albania" In Durrës, Ismail Qemali did not want to be late at all. He explained the current situation in Albania. "Turkey washed its hands of the Balkans", he said, "but, so that Albania does not fall into another captivity, we must raise the double-headed red and black flag, and declare the self-government of Albania welcomed by the Great Powers". For a moment the whole meeting was confused, what they heard from the mouth of Ismail Qemali was between the believable and the unbelievable.

In fact, none of the Great Powers intended to grant us independence. If it was not done at that last moment, it could never be done again. If Ismail Qemal Vlora had not gathered the patriots from all over the Albanian lands that end of November in Vlora, surely Albania would have been torn apart once and for all between predatory neighbors. Therefore, the declaration of Albania's independence had to be done at all costs, alive or dead. Only in this way would the Great Powers recognize the legitimate rights of Albanians. Because if there's one thing human history teaches us, it's the fact that every battle for human freedom has been won by force. Albania's independence has its foundations in the centuries-old struggle for freedom, in the sacrifices and blood shed over the centuries by Albanians. The Austro-Hungarians supported Ismail Qemali, because they were aware that he was the only leader who could unite the Albanians at this historical moment. They agreed with the creation of independent Albania, regardless of its size. The power of the Austro-Hungarian Empire influenced the Albanian issue to find a solution, even a partial one. However, the Albanian territories were brutally dismembered, leaving almost half of the ethnic Albanian population outside the border. Ismail Qemali, not without sadness, would say: "If the Albanians will not have enough strength to repel the unjust attack [of their neighbors], then they will not lose hope that the civilized nations of Europe and especially the Powers the Great, which ... will recognize the righteousness of our intentions. ... Even if diplomacy will not immediately recognize the rights of Albanians, time will definitely recognize them later".

In the interview given to the largest Austrian newspaper of the time, "Neue Freie Presse", in Vienna on November 8, 1912, Ismail Qemali revealed his ideas about the policy that the Albanian state would follow in relation to its Balkan neighbors. He compares Serbia's claim to have a port in the Adriatic, just as if Switzerland surrounded by mountains said, since it is landlocked, it cannot exist if it is not given the port of Genoa. Ismail Qemali further declares that independent Albania will be a country with about two and a half million inhabitants. This state should include the entire Vilayet of Shkodra, the Albanian part of the Vilayet of Ioannina, the Albanian part of Manastir, the western part of Manastir around Ohrid, Dibra, Elbasan, Korça, the Sanjak of Peja with Gjakova, the Sanjak of Prizren, a part of Sanjak of Skopje and a part of the sanjak of Pristina. Taking as a model the "beacon of freedom" in the world, the USA, Ismail Qemali said: "The capital of Albania could be Elbasan, due to its central position, but Vlora could also play a big role, where he could go the railway. Elbasan could be Washington, while Vlora could be our New York". Regarding the relations with the two powers that supported the idea of ​​an independent Albanian state, he expressed that he wanted to have good relations with Austria-Hungary and Italy, so that these two states would support our cultural and economic needs. "A small country needs the support of big countries and it is clear that this support to the two allied countries of the Adriatic, Austria-Hungary and Italy, will come naturally. Thus, the great neighboring monarchy, whose guest I am now, can only benefit from an independent Albania", concludes Ismail Qemali.

The prominent patriot of Gjirokastr, Thoma Papapano, brings us an authentic testimony when he describes in his memories a visit that an Albanian government delegation made to Europe in 1913, to protect the Albanian territories from fragmentation. The delegation included several Albanian personalities, such as Myfid Libohova, Petro Poga, Rauf Fico, Thoma Papapano, Eqrem Vlora, Lame Petri and Ajet Libohova. What is interesting is his description of the meeting held in Vienna, on August 21, 1913, with the Austro-Hungarian Foreign Minister, Count Leopold Berchtold: "Well, when we were leaving his office, greeting and thanking him, he stopped us and said: 'It has been said and talked about that we were the ones who pushed Ismail Qemal bey to return to Albania and declare the independence of your homeland, but this is not true. You know that Ismail Qemali went from Istanbul to Bucharest, gathered there the Albanians of the Albanian Colony of Romania and with them decided to declare the Independence of Albania. So, the Declaration of Independence of Albania was the initiative of Ismail Qemali himself. This should be known" (AQSH. P. 441, D, 846. Memoirs of Thoma Papapanos, p. 103-111). This account is also consistent with another authentic testimony, written in the newspaper "Bashkimi i Kombit", on August 11, 1944: "Myfit Libohova about some events", writes Ali Asllani, "he left angry with the Elder, he did not come to participate at the meeting of the Council of Ministers, but when he returned from Vienna and from Rome that he had been to, he changed his behavior and came to the first meeting of the Council. That day, before the talks began, addressing Ismail Qemali, he said: 'Bey Efendi, forgive me, I have accused you that you came to Albania pushed and advised by the two protective kingdoms, while yesterday I was in Vienna and in Rome from the competent mouth I heard and learned the truth; so give me permission to kiss your hand'".

The Austro-Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Count Berchtold, on November 17, 1912 requested the cooperation of Italy regarding the settlement of the Albanian problem. In the telegram addressed to his Italian counterpart, he made known the common interest that the parties had in the creation of an autonomous Albania, which should include within its borders all territories inhabited exclusively by Albanians, or at least, provinces inhabited by most of them. Austria-Hungary did not support Serbia's exit to the Adriatic, while regarding the borders of the South, it agreed to give Greece the territory south of the Kalamas River. The rivalry between Austria-Hungary and Italy in the Albanian issue influenced the reaching of an agreement between them as early as 1907. According to the agreement reached by the Foreign Ministers, Erental and Titoni, the formation of the Albanian state was the only solution that met their interests mutual, in case of impossibility of preserving the Ottoman rule in this region. Their stance on maintaining the status quo remained unchanged even after the beginning of the Balkan wars. And, in the end, the Great Powers would agree to the creation of an independent Albania, regardless of which territories would be included in the new state.

The Austrian diplomat, Alfred Rappaport, who was the best connoisseur of the Balkans and Albania in the Austro-Hungarian Foreign Ministry, wrote that Ismail Qemali's declaration of independence "was a major condition for changing the destructive plans against Albania. Ismail Qemali knew how to ingeniously choose the place and the time for the great diplomatic work". "The only good work during these two months (that is, from the outbreak of the First Balkan War until the opening of the London Conference)", said Alfred Rappaport, "that of Ismail Qemali, that is, the declaration of the self-government of the Motherland of his in Vlora on November 28. The head of the Provisional Government had a deep diplomatic understanding, because he chose the most favorable time for the step he took; so, with the manifestation of the will of the Albanian people, a sound argument for the conference that was to be opened was given to those who were trying for the self-government of Albania. Besides, it was a very wise thing indeed to declare Independence in a country which the Balkan allies had not yet conquered; because it was not easy for them to shut the mouth of the Provisional Government".

On the eve of the first anniversary of independence in October 1913, Ismail Qemali, in his speech before the people in Vlora, said, among other things: "It is possible that from then until today the government did not do some things that should have been done, or did it wrongly." some others; if you are sure that he worked like that, not being able to behave otherwise. A work of great value cannot be denied to our government, to hold aloft the flag of freedom. Is this an important job? Yes, there is no doubt! In addition, you should note the efforts made by the government not to let the poor suffer. When Europe was deciding its destiny, we lived in this closed city, without having any relationship with the outside world and without knowing when our case would start. It is easy to understand, therefore, that the interest counts for us to go outside and try for our rights that were in danger. We found a way to get out, we doubled and first of all we tried to open the block, which surrounded Vlona and which had brought so many hardships to the people of these countries, that with all the measures of the government, the people were very afraid of the next day. Outside, we understood who had tried for the good of this country. After it was decided to create an Albania, the issue of the borders of the south was under discussion because from the north and northeast the conference had given the death sentence to Kosovo and Dibra. There is no doubt that it was the government's duty to try to ensure that no Albanians are outside of Albania. But, unfortunately, we were not prepared enough, and even though Austria kept 1 million soldiers on foot, and Italy tried in every way, and England had to protect us, but, in order not to start a European war, she had to make us butcher". In closing, Ismail Qemal Vlora predicts that the day will come when there will be justice for the Albanian issue and declares: "We have unshakable faith in the justice of those who have the fate of our nation in their hands. They will know how to weigh the reasons that lead the Mountaineer to seize the rifle and win with its help that right which he could not win with wisdom after trying and which you had to win. We expect to see Europe putting its weight, justice, patience, wisdom and our blood generously shed on one side; and on the other hand, injustice, meanness, and the blood of the Serbs will be spilled."

Mit'hat Frashëri, who served in the Government of Vlora, would say: "Without wanting to make an apology for Ismail Qemal bey, who may have flaws in other points, he undoubtedly had the merit of initiative and diplomatic talent, and these qualities will always secure him in the grateful memories of his compatriots and Albanophiles".

Ismail Qemal Vlora laid the foundations for the construction of the modern Albanian state. He conceived the political line on which this state would walk. The foundations of Albanian state institutions were built on his legacy. Ismail Qemali's vision continues to lead Albanian diplomacy. Ismail Qemal's political doctrine conceived of Albania as a factor of balance, stability and peace in the Balkan Peninsula; Albania has played such a role and continues to play it successfully even today all day in the Illyrian Peninsula.

Ismail Qemali emphasized the importance of the fact that in order to finally realize this goal, the national rights, independence and territorial integrity of the new Albanian state must be respected: "We are convinced that a fair attitude towards us will not only be in the best interest ours, but also those who intend to benefit at our expense. The reconstruction of the Balkan block and its guarantee will be one of the most fruitful factors for peace in the East and in the world. The rise of the Balkans can only be stable if Albania is strengthened, which constitutes its fourth supporting pillar".