Durham: Albanians do not denounce the criminal and this is an obstacle to the creation of the state

Edith Durham, in a letter sent to Aubrey Herbert, writes about her activity and that of some other Englishmen in relation to the Albanian issue in London during 1915. Durham also mentions a problem faced by the English group committed to the Albanians and the state. theirs.

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An Albanian boy named Mehmet Sharra, who had gone to London for education, had engaged in bad jobs. Among other things, Sharra was engaged as a 'pimp' of a prostitute and demanded tribute from the only Albanian known to live in London, Toni Presha, who owned a restaurant. Under Durham's initiative, the deportation of Mehmet Sharra is required, as he was damaging the reputation of the Albanians for which the group was committed.

The letter - which you can read in full below - was prepared and translated for the Telegraph by the publicist and researcher, Daut Dauti.

Read too Aubrey Herbert and the diary of a day in Kosovo: Among the Albanians you lacked civilization!

"London, June 25, 1915
Dear Colonel Herbert,

The Manchester Guardian has published the Ultimatum in its entirety. I have also sent it to the 'Near East', where it will probably be published. Hirst has written to me that he will try to push it into the next issue of Commonsense, and I hope Brailsford will put a notice of it in the Nation as well. I have sent a copy to old Lord Fitzmaurice, who has expressed great interest and thinks that the prospectus of the Albanians has a good future.

Regarding Mehmet Sharra, I have thought about it several times and I think it is best that you ask Scotland Yard to call him to testify about how he spent the nine months here. Pitmans, too, may be asked what report he gave of it. The fact about 'Scotland Yard' is that he [Mehmet Sharra] came in October together with his brother in order to finish school. His brother has worked hard and achieved success, but Mehmeti, as we have been informed, has not done anything and has taken a bad path. For this reason, it is possible to be proved as an 'undesirable foreigner'.

Since he is from Vlora, I assume he technically qualifies as an Italian citizen. His father was exiled to Italy as he was one of the leaders who was considered to be involved in the uprising against Italy in the Vlora area. If Mehmeti were to be deported, there is a possibility that Italy would also deport him.

I met Phillips and Cunnington yesterday. Phillips was of the opinion that Presha should do the job by asking for protection from the Police. But, I feel sure that Presha will never do this since the Albanians have embedded the feeling of protecting their countrymen, which is left over from the Turkish rule and which is so deep that this is one of the main obstacles of the establishment of the Government in Albania. None of them want to denounce the criminal. Also, I told Presha that I will try to keep his name hidden. Therefore, please do not mention this matter to him. But if you don't get deported, we're all going to have problems with it.

Have you seen the shipment included in the last letter? Vivian, of course, is mad against the Serbs, but I like that things are very bad [for the Serbs]. The Slavs are now bloodied on the warpath and a strong whip is required to derail them. And we have destroyed the Teuton, the power they seriously fear.

Thousands of pounds have flooded Serbia to support the needy, hospitals and feed orphans. I know this because I am in the 'Save the Children' committee, where I protested until the end. The Serbs have their own funds, so this money will help you prepare war material.

I am thinking of going to northern Italy. It would be interesting. In Vienna and Trieste I will be able to find out if Shkodra is in good condition.

Please let me know what Scotland Yard is doing.

Here's some news for you. Spencer is leading 'Standard Oil' in Istanbul! 'Scotland Yard' reminded me of Spencer", the letter says. /Telegraph/

(This article was prepared exclusively for the Telegraph)

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