WOULD STEAL A REPUBLIC

Shannon News, 17 September 1926, Page 2

WOULD STEAL A REPUBLIC

MCSSOLINIS BIG BLUFF. AN ASTOUNDING STOiiV LONDON, Sept. 'J. Full official details of the carefully concealed story of Mussolini's 4 at , tempt to grab Albania as an Italian protectorate have, now come to light.

The official documents show that Count Aloise went to Ahmed Bey Zog-u, president of the Albanian Republic, on -June 27, and literally levelled a pistol at him, demanding- hi'' immediate consent' to tin 5 placing of Albania under man Italian protectorate on the ground that economically Albania was entirely dependent upon the Italian banks. The President immediately sum moned his diplomatic corps and reported the demands of Count Aloise. These included the transfer of the representation of Albania in foreign countries to Italian diplomatic control. Serbian Attack If the demand was conceded, Mussolini offered a large sum of money and _ also Iq equip fully the Albanian army in an attack upon Serbia. ' If the demand was rejected, Aloiss threatened; Italy would occupy- the seaport ol ! Valona, in the -.Adriatic Sea, and would demand other sanctions. The Albanian President informed Count Aloise that the diplomats had rejected the ultimatum, and Aloise left, in high dudgeon on a, destroyer lying' in.the harbour of Durazzo. The Albanian' Government, rushed troops to defend Valona, and suspended all Italian military instructors. Britain's Demand The foreign diplomats in Albania, in great excitement, telegraphed (o their respective Governments. The Serbian-Minister for War at once sent advance nioblisation notices to the •Serbian Army. The British ambassador at Rome visited Mussolini and categorically demanded an explanation. Mussolini asserted that the Albanian President was an absolute liar. Count'Aloise, he said, has presented no sueli demand.

The only thing Italy demanded was a pact providing- that neither Italy nor Albania would commit an act of aggression against the other. Offically, this closed tin; incident, upon which the Government interested kept a close-mouthed silence. It was most .significant, however, that British cruisers, which were ordered to Albanian ports immediately after the incident, were afforded an enthusiastic reception by the authorities and population.—(Sydney "Labour Daily" Cable.)

Albania was proclaimed an independent country on June '3, 1917, and a provisional Government was set iy> at Durazzo. A Republic was later proclaimed with a constitution, a Parliament of 99 members, and a Senate of 18. The country's independence was 'guaranteed by the Supreme Council of the Allies, and in 1920 Albania was admitted as a member of the League of Nations. Albania's population is about 832,000, and an estimated area of 17.350 square miles.