Interdisplinary Journal of Research and Development “Alexander Moisiu“ University, Durrës, Albania Vol (III), No.1, 2016 ________________________________________________________________________________________________ RESEARCH PAPER ITALY AND WAR OF VLORA DURING 1920 Xhilda SHUKA Institute of History University Centre of Albanological Studies, Tirana, Albania Email: [email protected] Abstract Placing the province of Vlora under the Italian sovereignty for its great strategic importance in possessing the Adriatic Sea, military and political forces in Italy were paying special attention. Italy had deployed in October 1914 in Sazan and had occupied Vlore since December 1914. But for the Albanian people liberation of Vlora was a key moment for its survival. It was the victorious War of Vlora in 1920, following the decisions of the Congress of Lushnja which reconfirmed Albania's independence and which put Albania in the course of a normal independent country. The important role of the war in direct confrontation with the Italian political and military forces of the time, are intended to be reflected in this article based on historical arguments and new perspective of our days. Keywords: War of Vlora, Italy, Lushnja Congress, the National Defense Committee. Introduction on truncated Albanian state that would emerge from Italian goal over Vlora was part of the requirements the Peace Conference. of Rome to the Adriatic Sea possession. Entente’s Feelings of anger that seized the broad masses of diplomats approved this request of Rome. As a the people because of the new plans for tearing consequence the statement of this request in the Albania, was the reason for unleashing a powerful Secret Treaty of London was like "Italy will take patriotic movement on a high national basis. But full sovereignty over Vlora, Sazan Island and over a the center of the movement for the protection of vast territory, enough to ensure the protection of territorial integrity and national rights became the these points," it was stated in the VI article of the city of Vlora. Even earlier the people of Vlora had Treaty of 26 April.1 "The borders in north and east shown a total dissatisfaction and opposition to the would be Vjosa River, south would reach nearly to Italian occupation, despite the appearing of Italian the northern border of Himara"2, designation which politics as a protective of Albanian interests. was requested by the British representative, E. "On November 28, 1918, on the 6th anniversary of Gray, who wanted to give the entire Himara to the Declaration of Independence, in Vlora was Greece.3 organized an event in commemoration of this event. This request was also accepted by the Russian But the most powerful manifestation was organized Empire, with some remarks. Representatives of a year later, on November 28, 1919, which the Russia's related the approval of the application of Italian army violently suppressed hurting ordinary Rome regarding Vlora, with other Italian territory people. Not only that, but the occupation authorities on the east teared dozen of Albanian flags and used the pieces coast of the Adriatic, especially on the Dalmatian to wrap a dog, which then they walked around in the coast. Russian diplomacy was ready to accept the streets of Vlora”.5 passage of the Vlora region under the sovereignty Patriotic circles and the mass of people raised in of Italy, aiming that Rome would give up or would revolt, not only disagreed with the proitalian policy limit its claims to Dalmatia.4 Besides Vlora, Italy followed by the temporary government of Durres, asked the secret Treaty of London also the mandate but rejected it by all means and ways. The momentum that took the movement against the 1 S. Sonnino, Carteggio, 1914-1916, Bari, 1974, dok.133, Italian occupation, against the proitalian orientation p.209. of the government of Durres, and against some 2 Muin Çami, Albania in the course of history (1912- 1924), Tiranë: Onufri, 2007, p.62. 3S. Sonnino, Carteggio…, dok.268, p.412. 5 Albanian people's war for national liberation 1918- 4 M.Çami, Albania …p.63. 1920 (documentary), vol. II, Tirana, 1976, dok.322.p.54. 23 Italy and war of Vlora … Xh. Shuka ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ antialbanian doctrines of several European powers Albania”.11 "Populli" newspaper of Shkodra wrote and neighboring countries at the Peace Conference "Albanians fought and are still fighting in Vlora in Paris, led to the organization of the Congress of because they are convinced that their fate is related Lushnja, which was held at the end of January to Vlora's fate."12 The issue of Vlora as a key issue 1920.6 for the territorial integrity of Albania, is very well Congress of Lushnja in January-February 1920 and summarized in an article of the "Drita" newspaper": the War of Vlora, in June-August 1920 were "With the placement of Italy in Vlora, Albania will highlights of the Albanian national movement. be in danger. Neighboring states of Balkan while Lushnja's Assembly in January 1920 approved this raising their searches in Albania they do not document that constitutes the essence of patriotic present any of their rights. They show only one movement: "The National Assembly, setting in reason: Vlora and its hinterland ... If it is accepted Lushnje, protesting against the decision the sovereignty of Italy in Vlora, we should know condemning a neutral and known country, and one for sure that Albania will narrow from south to of the most ancient nations of Europe to pave the north more than we might know".13 way for the imperialist goals of neighboring Popular consciousness was crystallized and governments ... national assembly requires a mobilized against the Italian occupation of Vlora. complete independence ... and decided not to accept At a rally in Tirana in the summer of 1919 it was any foreign mandate or protectorate. Albanians are declared that: "We do not give up from any inch of ready to make any sacrifice until the last drop of land of Vlora, Sazan or Pashaliman".14 Vlora's their blood against any decision that could release constitutes in "a capital matter on jeopardize their independence and national integrity independance" of the Albanian nation.15 ".7 The direct goal of the armed war that started in June Lushnja Congress ousted the government of Durres 1920 was the liberation of Vlora by Italian troops. and chose a new government, which was But conquers of our country were then two other established in Tirana. During March-May 1920 was neighboring monarchies, Greece and the Serbs- assured the union of Shkodra and Korca to Tirana's Croats-Slovenes kingdom. At the end of May 1920, government. As for the liberation of Vlora, this when French forces had left Korca, the Greeks were congress began work with a note directly addressed able to invade several villages at the south of to the Italian Senate in Rome stating: "Assembly of Bilisht, and Serbo-Montenegrins had taken a wide the Nation organized in Lushnje, declared to the strip of land in the northeast, the right coast of the representatives of Italy that in the cells of Albanian Black Drin, Highlands of Tropoje, Tarabosh, right people there is still Skanderbeg's blood, so that side of Buna's spill. great-grandchildren, can not be humbled enough to Tirana’s government though it was not directly, for become part of the Italian colony and be used as a diplomatic reasons, leader of the War of Vlora had a reward for feeding the imperialist desires of their very critical role in favor of this war: the union of neighbors"8 To the Albanians, Vlora was made as Shkodra with Tirana in March 1920, signing of the the Achilles heel for the national cause. The press of Albanian-Greek Protocol of Kapeshtica 28 May that time shows clearly the situation created in 1920, elimination of esadist armed movement of Albania: "Any protest of ours should have Vlora as June 1920. Wisely using Italian-Yugoslav a starting point", "good or evil that may come to contradictions Tirana government sent in April Albania comes from Vlonë".9 The "Drita" 1920, a representative of its own (Sejfi Vllamasi) newspaper of Gjirokastra noted "all the Albanians with the mission of informing the Serbian must realize that the salvation or loss of Albania is government that the Albanians will revolt against closely associated with Vlora.”10 or "issue of Vlora Italian occupiers and urged the sympathetic attitude is a common issue that has to do with the life of of Belgrade to this war16. 6 Valentina Duka, Cities of Albania in the years 1912- 11 “Drita” 31.7.1920, art.: War of Vlora and our duty 1924. Tiranë: Toena, 1997 pp. 70-71 12 “Populli” 31.07.1920, art.: Vlona e Shkodra 7 Arben Puto, Some legal problems of Albanian 13 “Drita” Gjirokastër, 06.05.1920, art.: Valona e nostra independence, “Historical Studies”, Nr.1, Tirana: Mihal dhe Vlora of Albania Duri,1965 p.24 14 The Central State Archive of Albania (AQSH), F. L. 8 Albanian people's war …., vol. II, dok.47, p. 60. Skendo, d.12, the letter of the date 27.08.1919 9 “Populli”, 11.7.1919, art.: On the unexpected news 15 “Gazeta e Korcës”, Nr. 13, dt. 31 korrik 1920 10 “Drita” Gjirokastër 16.6.1920 art.: Vullnetarët per 16 P.Milo. Albania dhe Jugosllavia 1918-1927, Tiranë Vlorë 1992, pp.103, 106-107. 24 Interdisplinary Journal of Research and Development “Alexander Moisiu“ University, Durrës, Albania Vol (III), No.1, 2016 ________________________________________________________________________________________________ They are designed and written a lot of works in the the war by the Italian and Austrian experts, which field of historiography, within and outside the England was aiming for itself.