ALBANIA RECOGNITION BY THE UNITED STATES OF THE GOVERNMENT OF AHMED ZOGU1 875.01/258: Telegram The Minister in Albania (Grant-Smith) to the Secretary of State TIRANA, January 5, 1925. [Received January 6-10:05 a. m.] The Prime Minister who fled in June last has returned together with most of his colleagues and announced the resignation of his Cabinet. A new one is in process of formation under Ahmet Zogu as Prime Minister. One regent remains, the others' terms having expired. Ahmet Zogu is admittedly dictator of Albania and having foreign support will doubtless remain so for some time. In view of his having been sentenced by a court, whose jurisdiction has not been questioned, as one of those responsible for the murder of Coleman and De Long, early instructions are respectfully requested as to the attitude to be assumed towards the new Government. My foreign colleagues are preparing to accept it as fully regular. Copy to European Information Center. GRANT-SMITH 875.01/259: Telegram The Minister in Albania (Grant-Smith) to the Secretary of State TIRANA, January 8, 1925-6 p. m. [Received January 9-10:30 a. m.] 3. The Italian Government will withhold recognition from the Government of Ahmed Zogu even though it may fulfill constitutional forms but will await developments. My Italian colleague, who informs me of this, had offered the contrary advice. French, British, Servian and Greek representatives seem to anticipate no difficulties will be raised by their Government [s]. Ahmed Bey has assumed portfolio of Ministry of Foreign Affairs ad interim. Con 1For previous correspondence regarding relations with the revolutionary government in Albania, see Foreign Relations, 1924, vol. 1, pp. 306 ff. "Robert Lewis Coleman and George B. De Long, American citizens, were murdered by bandits in Albania, Apr. 6, 1924. stituent Assembly adjourned last May reconvened for January 15th to regularise new regime. GRANT-SMITH 875.01/258: Telegram The Secretary of State to the Minister in Albania (Grant-Smith) WASHINGTON, January 10, 1925—2 p. m. 2. Your unnumbered January 5 and No. 2, January 6, 10 a. m.3 In the event that government of Ahmet Zogu is firmly established Department would not be disposed indefinitely to withhold recognition for the reason indicated in second paragraph of your telegram of January 5, since careful examination of the notes of the trial, as submitted in your despatches No. 358, November 29, 1924, and No. 359, December 6, has failed to convince Department there is any serious evidence to support the charge, apparently advanced for political reasons, that Zogu was implicated in the killing of Coleman and De Long. Pending further instructions from the Department you should maintain informal relations with the present authorities and keep Department fully informed of action of other powers. Also telegraph briefly regarding stability of present régime and submit statement of your views as to weight of evidence brought against Ahmet Zogu. HUGHES 875.01/260: Telegram The Minister in Albania (Grant-Smith) to the Secretary of State [Paraphrase] TIRANA, January 14, 1925-7 p. m. [Received January 15-2:32 a. m.] 4. Department's 2, January 10, 2 p. m. Chiefly because of fear inspired by Zogu the regime appears to be relatively stable. Portions of Northern Albania are as yet not entirely pacified. In spite of the nature of the evidence brought against Zogu at the murder trial it seems that the fact that he was convicted is almost the only hope left of eventually securing the arrest and punishment of the murderers and their accomplices who without doubt have received protection from high authority. In order to clear Zogu officially the case is to be reopened. Latter not printed. 'Neither printed. I am trying to convince Zogu that the only way to clear his name is by swift and searching justice since he has been branded as a criminal before the world. Probably the whole matter will be dropped as soon as the records of the court have been changed to Zogu's satisfaction, if we disregard the verdict from the outset. GRANT-SMITH 875.01/260: Telegram The Secretary of State to the Minister in Albania (Grant-Smith) WASHINGTON, January 22, 1925-3 p. m. 3. Your No. 4, January 14, 7 p. m. Department feels there is nothing to be gained by indefinitely withholding recognition, nor does it appear prosecution those responsible killing Coleman and De Long would be materially affected by such decision. If therefore you can secure definite assurances from Ahmet Zogu that the prosecution will be pressed, Department would consider sending you early instructions to accord recognition. Before taking this step, however, Department desires to know what definite action has been taken subsequent to your No. 3, January 8, 6 p. m. by other powers and whether assembly has met and given vote of confidence to new régime. HUGHES 875.01/261: Telegram The Minister in Albania (Grant-Smith) to the Secretary of State TIRANA, January 25, 1925–9 a. m. [Received January 26-3:20 p. m.] 6. Referring to your January 23 [22], 1 [3] p. m., number 3. Assembly gave vote of confidence 19th. Only British, Greek and Bulgarian representatives having [have] replied to formal notification. French colleague requesting instructions. Italian Minister left on extended leave of absence 18th. Republic proclaimed 21st. All but American representative sent acknowledgment in reply to official notification. Italian Chargé d'Affaires asserts his was noncommittal. Ahmet Bey down with influenza. Will [omission] additional assurances as soon as possible. Copy to European Information Center. GRANT-SMITH 875.01/265: Telegram The Minister in Albania (Grant-Smith) to the Secretary of State TIRANA, January 29, 1925-5 p. m. [Received January 30-10:29 a. m.] 8. My 6, January 25, 9 a. m. In response to informal written inquiry Ahmet Bey replies that in order to prove the falsity of the charge brought against him in connection with the murders every possible measure has been already taken for the arrest, exemplary punishment of those responsible and he is confident that the results will be positive. The Italian Chargé d'Affaires in pursuance of instructions has replied to the notification of the vote of confidence formally but without enthusiasm. Mussolini did likewise to second telegram from Ahmet Bey announcing the Republic. In view of the purport of the Prince's note mentioned above nothing would presumably be gained by our longer deferring recognition. Copy to European Information Center. GRANT-SMITH 875.01/265: Telegram The Secretary of State to the Minister in Albania (Grant-Smith) WASHINGTON, January 31, 1925—6 p. m. 5. 1. Your No. 8, January 29, 5 p. m. and No. 6, January 25, 9 a. m. You are authorized to extend recognition to the new régime in Albania and to acknowledge the receipt of official notification of establishment of the republic. 2. Department's No. 1, January 9, 7 p. m. and your despatch No. 362, December 12.5 When above action has been taken you are authorized leave of absence as requested. 3. Telegraph action taken. HUGHES 875.01/266: Telegram The Minister in Albania (Grant-Smith) to the Secretary of State TIRANA, February 3, 1925-3 p. m. [Received February 4–7:51 a. m.] 10. Department's 5, January 30 [31], 6 p. m. Acknowledgment notification of vote of confidence and of adoption of republican form of government made under date of 2d instant. Copy to European Information Center. "Neither printed. GRANT-SMITH RENEWED REPRESENTATIONS BY THE UNITED STATES FOR EQUITABLE TREATMENT OF AMERICAN OIL INTERESTS IN ALBANIA' 875.6363/157: Telegram The Secretary of State to the Minister in Albania (Grant-Smith) [Paraphrase] WASHINGTON, February 4, 1925-6 p. m. 6. The Standard Oil Company of New York informs the Department that it has received word of renewed activity on the part of Anglo-Persian in Albania. The company is disposed to send a representative to Albania should the situation warrant. Please make a brief telegraphic report. HUGHES 875.6363/156: Telegram The Minister in Albania (Grant-Smith) to the Secretary of State 7 [Paraphrase] TIRANA, February 4, 1925-7 p. m. [Received February 5-12:07 a. m.] 11. In the course of an interview which I had today with the President and Minister for Foreign Affairs, I repeated representations concerning the murders and reminded them of our position regarding the matter of the oil concessions. Their assurances with respect to the former were satisfactory, but on the latter question both Ahmed and the Minister maintained a noncommittal attitude. They promised to give me a statement on the 7th defining the Government's attitude. The Italian representative has urged that the matter be postponed, and the Yugoslav representative has asked for instructions from Belgrade immediately. Ahmed Bey told me that the British Minister will request earnestly a speedy conclusion of the matter. The arrival of the Anglo-Persian representative is expected. news has been received of the Standard Oil agent. GRANT-SMITH No For previous correspondence regarding oil concessions in Albania, see Foreign Relations, 1923, vol. 1, pp. 371 ff. Robert Lewis Coleman and George B. De Long, American citizens, were murdered by bandits in Albania, Apr. 6, 1924. |