The city of Elbasan was the first to declare independence from the Ottoman Empire. The lightning victories of the Balkan states forced the Great Powers to reconsider their decision not to allow the status quo to change in the Balkans. Already at the end of October, in diplomatic circles and in the European press, people started talking about the need for territorial changes for the benefit of the Balkan allies. In these conditions, the Albanian patriots who were outside the homeland decided to take a new political action. The purpose of this action would be to save Albania from dismemberment, preserve its territorial integrity and convene a national assembly that would decide on its fate. The idea of convening an assembly in Albania, which would present the demands of the Albanian people to the Great Powers, had found the support of the Austro-Hungarian government. Such was the opinion that prevailed in the diplomatic circles of other Great Powers. But autonomy within the framework of the Ottoman Empire already had no meaning. The Ottoman army in the Balkans was shattered on all fronts. Serbian, Montenegrin and Greek troops had entered deep into Albanian land. Under these conditions, the only fair solution to the Albanian issue was the declaration of independence. This was the conclusion reached by the group of patriots led by Ismail Qemali, who on November 19 declared in Trieste, where he had arrived together with his friends, that: “… immediately after his arrival in Albania, the Independence of Albania would be proclaimed and to elect the interim government”. Accompanied by delegates from Durrës, Shijak, Tirana and Kruja, Ismail Qemali and his friends left for Kavajë. From there, through Karatoprak, they went to Fier, where they met with the Kosovo delegates, and on November 25 they arrived in Vlora. Meanwhile, the Serbian army was rapidly advancing on Albanian lands. It was approaching Durrës, Tirana, Kruja and Elbasan. The patriotic districts of these cities decided to declare independence as soon as possible, to put the Serbian military authorities in front of the fait accompli. On November 25, Elbasan was the first to declare independence. The next day it was announced by Durrësi and Tirana, and on November 27 by Kavaja, Peqini and Lushnja. On November 28, 1912, the Independence of all Albania was proclaimed. (In the photo: Act of Declaration of Independence, Elbasan, 1912.)
Text: The history of the Albanian people – Vol. II , Academy of Sciences of Albania, “Toena”, Tirana, 2002, page 508-510.
Photo: © Albanian Telegraphic Agency
Graphic processing: AHCF
