1940: Albania

Ever since the military occupation of this little country on April 7, 1939, and the replacement of indirect Italian domination with outright subjugation, there has been a virtual blackout on news originating in Albania. The puppet government set up under Italian 'advisers,' in accordance with the personal union of Italy and Albania under Victor Emmanuel's crown, has carried out Mussolini's orders with silent efficiency. Certain material benefits have followed Italian control. Land reclamation efforts designed to increase farm production were undertaken in February 1940; some food was shipped into the country; and employment was provided on public works, especially roads built for strategic purposes. The oil output is said to have been increased, and preliminary surveys have been made of iron, chromium and copper deposits.

Italy's objectives, however, were primarily military. Although 25,000 Italian 'miners' and 'farmers' were scheduled to be sent to Albania by June 1, 1940, it was reported before the end of May that the Yugoslav-Albanian frontier had been closed and that munitions were being shipped to Albania for storage. Albanian national ambitions were being stimulated, it was said, by publication of maps of a 'greater Albania' embracing Greek and Yugoslav territory. Nevertheless, conditions remained quiet during the summer.

In September, Tomori, the Italian-controlled Tirana newspaper, attacked Greece for the alleged mistreatment of Albanians living just across the frontier. In October, Albanian army members who had violated Italian army law before April 1939 were amnestied by King Victor Emmanuel. Then, on October 28, reinforced Italian troops estimated to number 200,000 moved into Greece in expectation of an easy victory. Reports of Albanian revolts behind the lines immediately followed, and Albanian exiles urged their countrymen to aid the Greek cause. Albanian guerrilla warfare against the Fascists, as well as the apathy of Albanian soldiers conscripted and brigaded with the Italian force, contributed not a little to Italian difficulties.

As the year ended, the advancing Greeks attempted to allay old hatreds by adopting a scrupulously correct attitude toward the inhabitants. They pointed out that the Italians had looted Albania's gold reserve and resorted to the printing press to secure currency for army payments in the country. On Dec. 19, General Alexander Papagos, commander of the Greek forces, ordered restoration of the laws of the deposed King Zog in Greek-occupied areas. Zog himself had been reported in London. While the Moslem population of the Albanian towns was believed to favor his restoration, since his régime had furthered their interests, the Orthodox Christians appear to prefer Fan Noli, Albanian prelate, patriot, and former prime minister, exiled by Zog and living in Boston. It was anything but certain, however, that Albania would regain its independence. See also GREECE; ITALY.