CONQUEST COMPLETED

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 April 1939, Page 5

CONQUEST COMPLETED

ITALIAN OCCUPATION OF ALBANIA Count Ciano Supervising Formation of New Government FUTURE STATUS OF COUNTRY UNDECIDED By Telegraph. —Press Association. —Copyright. LONDON, April 9. Messages from Albania make it clear that, apart from incidental skirmishing, the conquest of Albania is completed. Elbasan, the last city to resist, has been occupied. Albanians are laying down their arms, and the officers are reported to be offering to serve Italy. After hours without fresh news from Albania, a message from Rome announced that the Italians had entered Tirana at 8.30 a.m. (G.M.T.). The Tirana radio station broadcast the Italian national anthem, signifying that the occupation had been completed. Wireless, telegraph and telephone services with Tirana were restored shortly after the arrival of the invaders. Armed bands which had continued resisting on the outside of the city are converging on Tirana and surrendering their arms. The Italians have entered Scutari, near the Yugoslavian border. The Prefect of Koritza, in the vicinity of the Greek frontier, placed himself at the disposal of General Guzzoni, Italian Commander-in-Chief.

It is stated in Rome that the populace cheered the Italian troops entering Tirana where the newspapers, in special editions, acclaimed “the friendly Fascists under General Guzzoni who had established a new order in Albania.” Many notable Albanian people called at the Italian legation to “pay homage to Italy and the Duce.” Count Ciano, who arrived at Tirana piloting his own plane, is supervising the formation of a new Government, in which there will be no Minister of Defence or Minister of Foreign Affairs, as Albania henceforth will depend on Italy for these offices. After a triumphal parade, Count Ciano addressed a delegation of notables. “The Duce,” he said, “intends to give the order for welfare progress within the framework of your national life.” To this the former Albanian Regent replied expressing his devotion to Italy. Distribution of food and clothing from Fascist welfare centres has begun.

It is stated in Rome that only when all resistance has been completely stamped out will the future status of the country be made known. It is highly probable that an Italian protectorate will be established. Italy apparently aims at securing privileges similar to those Britain has in Egypt, consisting essentially of the use of Albanian ports for the Italian navy and the right to establish Italian garrisons at certain key points. Apart from this, Albania will continue to exist as an independent State.

Italy has decided to outlaw King Gog, who escaped to Greece. He will' be tried if found in Albania. It is expected that Mustapha Kraja, King Zog’s exiled political rival, will form a “national Government.” The Italian Government has always kept in the closest touch with Kraja.