Ismail Kemal exclusive interview in Vienna (1912)

The Albanian leader has at the time talked about the serious ruling mistakes of the echoes, of Serbia's terrible intentions in our country and, above all, Albania's independence.

Next, you will find the full interview, brought into Albanian by Aurante Bebja blog “Das (Klos), Matt É Albania”:

A Letter From Vienna

Ismail Kemal and the Albanian issue,

Vienna, November 21st.

Ismail Kemal Beu, one of the most undisputed leaders of the Albanian Nation, was detained for several days in Vienna. He came from Budapest, where Hungarian politicians reserved a warm welcome and where official monarchs, without distance from the diplomatic reserve imposed by circumstances, did not hide their sympathy and interest in the issue he defends. He, despite his insistence, failed to meet the Duke Bertchold; however, he was contacted by some senior foreign affairs ministry officials.

The moment of his visit to Budapest happened, furthermore, at the height of the Austro-Serbian crisis: the consuls' issue bothered public opinion, already dissatisfied with Serbia's incompatible stand on the port issue.

Ismail Kemal found in Austro-Hungari a favourable atmosphere for his projects: he seemed somewhat worried and nervous.

I'm leaving tonight, he told me, for Trieste. An Austrian ship will take me to Durres, where I hope to arrive before the Serbian Army arrives. No more time to waste. My friends and I will try to organise a defence committee in the country, a kind of temporary government. But it must at last take Europe out of its indifference and manifest by acts the interest it proves to have on our unfortunate issue. In Austria, Germany, as well as France and England, public opinion is in our favor; our right is unanimously recognized, and the preservation of our independence seems to be in line not only with the principles of European diplomacy but also with the interests of great powers. What is Europe waiting for to support us? It will be useless to declare the right of our nation to exist and autonomy when we no longer exist. The goal of Serbs is clear: they burn, massacre everything along their way; it is not enough for them to conquer Albania; they want to exterminate Albanians”.

An elderly Ishmael bowed his head and paused for a few moments, and then resumed:

We can't, we don't want to be Slavs. Of all the nations that populate the Balkans, ours is the oldest. It's true we're not very civilized: we've suffered so much! But is that one reason why a tree because of its lack of care is expected to fail to thrive? We were the first, after 1908, to stand up against the tyrannical claims of the xhonturical government. Seeking then reform and a more just approach, protesting the unconventional requirements with our customs and conditions, we did not defend exclusively the rights of our race, but also those of all nationalities: our programmes then testify to these purposes. Our efforts were unsuccessful: They were crushed by the most unjust and violent pressures. The Balkan peoples joined; they took on the issue we tried to protect. And today that they triumph, their first act is to turn against us! They know our intentions, which are not hostile to them: we considered them allies. They know that we will not pursue any expansion and propaganda plans; we ask only one thing: to let us live in our territory. And that claim, we will support it to the extreme end. We will allow neither annexation nor division nor immersion of our people into the course of a foreign population. The issues of finding the political formula or that of creating a government are secondary, and, in the present time, we are a little concerned. The key point is that national feelings are now prevalent over all particular feelings, political preferences, or confederacy. Catholics, Orthodox, Muslims, all Albanians are united to protect nation rights and Albania's independence”.

Ismail Kemal used the words “independence” and “auauthonomi” during the conversation. I asked her if the Albanians were already clear about their intentions. He made an apathy gesture:

“What value is playing with words? He said. No one had wanted more than I to regenerate the Ottoman Empire; no one was more determined than me to sacrifice much, anything that was possible to sacrifice, that Turkey become a modern, well-run and well-managed, stable and strong state. We have rebelled only against abuse of power by a party that prejudiced our rights and intended to crush us as a nation. This party has already destroyed Turkey -- what will remain in Europe from the Ottoman Empire? It is no longer about an autonomous Albania subject to Turkish rule. Links to an isolated and distant province from the Empire would be artificial and difficult to maintain. We do not demand autonomy, but independence: an independence that does not threaten anyone and even offers certain guarantees”.

Ismail Kemal knew that before going to meet him, I had met Hysen Jahid, the former director of Tanina, who, leaving Constantinople as the threat of a sentence, had taken refuge in Vienna. He asked me what Jahid thought about events and how he anticipated the future. I did not hide that I was surprised by his optimism. He had lost nothing in his former enthusiasm and faith. The experience that had failed in Europe would be renewed in Asia, where she had a better chance of success. There, no superstition, no obstacle. Armenians could not pose a danger: they had so many common interests with Turks! Arabs would be granted broad autonomy. Progress would be achieved gradually. The country would be organized, made prosperous.

“Dream”! He said Ishmael.

No reality, as brutal and terrible as it is, will awaken these people! They have destroyed, because of their mistakes and arrogance, the most beautiful and hopeless situation in the world. What sympathy and faith Turkey enjoyed in Europe after the revolution! The fact was unexpected, a vital and energy power with undiscovered resources appeared. Europe as a whole trusted the new Turkey and offered its assistance. They didn't understand and used anything. Every time I tried to open my eyes, I begged them not to use the advantages of a unique situation that the country will never again find; Not only they would benefit, but the entire Empire. For several months, they were removed from all - the great powers, which were dealt with with by an incredible illusion, turned their backs on us; within the empire, nationalities threatened by a blind and brutal policy, thought to shake off the yoke that made their existence impossible. The result of all of this is the history of these last days: no doubt, they still do not find it quite clear”.

Ismail Kemal, while ready to say goodbye, insisted again in the hope that he would see the Great Powers of Europe effectively support Albania's demands. He seemed very pleased with the arrangements he had in Austro-Hungari, much less with what the Italian press wrote for several days. I told him, it doesn't always translate the government's opinion”. Ishmael shook his head and did not answer. M. P.