Autonomous Albanian Republic of Korçë
Encyclopedia
The Autonomous Albanian Republic of Korçë was an autonomous state established in 1916, by the local French
forces, after the city of Korçë
fell under their control, during World War I
and lasted till 1920.
Due to developments in the Macedonian Front
of World War I
the city of Korçë
came under French
control (1916–20). During this time 14 representatives of Korçë and French Colonel Descoins signed a protocol that proclaimed the Autonomous Albanian Republic of Korçë under the military protection of the French army and with Themistokli Gërmenji
as Prefect of Police.
The new authorities introduced Albanian
as the official language and replaced Greek
schools with Albanian
ones, which were forbidden during the Greek administration of the city. There was also a French school in Korçë
, and one of its many students was Enver Hoxha
, who was apprentice
(1927—1930) and then teacher
(1937—1939). He would later become the First Secretary of the Albanian Party of Labour
, serving from 1941 until his death in 1985.
. The Austro-Hungarian
army invaded northern Albania in the spring of 1916, the Kingdom of Bulgaria
's army occupied the eastern parts of Albania, including the city of Elbassan (which was later handed over to Austria-Hungary
). The French army occupied Korçë
and its surrounding areas on November 29, 1916. Italy
occupied the port of Vlorë
and the region of south Principality of Albania
on December 1914 and in the autumn 1916.
belongs to the region regarded as Northern Epirus
, a region with substantial Albanian
, Aromanian
and Greek
populations. The Greek national view was to classify all Albanians as Aromanians, and those people who called themselves Albanian Orthodox as part of the Greek minority. The Great Power
s signed the Protocol of Florence and awarded the region to the newly founded Principality of Albania
on December 17, 1913. Gradual withdrawal of the Greek
army would enable the Albanian forces to take control of the region. Consequently, to avert this possibility, pro-Greek Epirotes decided to declare their own separate political identity and self-governance.
was declared in Gjirokastër and the provisional Government was formed to support the state's objectives. The Protocol of Corfu
was signed on May 17, 1914 and the Albanian Government
officially recognized the area of Northern Epirus
as an autonomous region within the Albanian state. Soon after the outbreak of World War I
(July 1914), the situation in Albania became unstable and political chaos ensued. As the country split into a number of regional governments, Prince William departed the country in September 1914.
' resignation in December however, the succeeding royalist governments were determined to exploit the situation and pre-determine the region's future by incorporating it formally within the Greek state. In the first months of 1916, Northern Epirus participated in the Greek elections and elected 16 representatives for the Greek Parliament. In March the region's union with Greece was officially declared, and the area was divided into the prefectures
of Argyrokastro and Korytsa.
in autumn 1915, many ethnic Albanians
joined the Bulgarians who gave them weapons. The Kingdom of Bulgaria
used its army to occupy the eastern part of Albania at the beginning of the occupation of Albania
.
After the occupation of the eastern parts of Albania, inclusive of the city of Elbasan, on August 18, 1916 the Bulgarian army, probably attempting to join Austrian forces in Albania
and in a combined attack on the Italian army, occupied Korçë
and ejected the Greek garrison from the city. Bulgaria's objective was to persuade the Albanian leaders to elect Prince Kiril, second son of Ferdinand I of Bulgaria
, as their king . An additional reason for the Bulgarian occupation of Korçë was that Bulgarian positions in Bitolj would be seriously threatened if the Allies
gained control of Korçë.
French troops entered Korçë on November 29, 1916 during a military operation
that aimed to connect the Allied front in Thessaloníki
in the Macedonian front
to the region in south Albania
, which was held by the Italian troops. French troops in Korçë were under General
Maurice Sarrail
, and under direct command of Colonel
Descoins. There were two groups of rebels active in the region of Korçë, one was led by Themistokli Gërmenji and another by Sali Butka
. In the meantime, Albanian irregular bands, headed by Butka and cooperating with the Austrian forces, completely ravaged Moscopole
, and threatened that if Korçë would suffer the same fate if it did not raise the Albanian flag and surrender to Albanian authorities.
Colonel Descoins made arrangements with the leading Albanian nationalists from Korçë. French officers had a meeting with Themistokli Gërmenji on November 24, 1916. Themistokli Gërmenji came to Korçë from Pogradec
, which was occupied by the armies of Austria-Hungary and Bulgaria
. The French officers appointed a commission led by Gërmenji. The commission had fourteen members, seven Christians and seven Muslims. The members of this commission were: Rafail Adhami, Kostandin Nocka, Nikolla Vangjeli, Vasil Singjeli, Vasil Kondi, Llambro Mborja, Thimi Cale, Shaqir Shabani, Tefik Rushiti, Hysen Dishnica, Emin Rakipi, Qani Dishnica, Sali Babani and Haki Shemshedini.
The commission held a meeting on December 10 at 9 a.m. in the Saint George's School and Gërmenji held a speech to the gathered men and after the meeting led the commission to the prefecture. In the prefecture they met with Colonel Descoins and with the other French officers. Haki Shemshedini approached to Colonel Descoins on behalf of the commission. Colonel Descoins informed the commission that they should sign a protocol. On December 10, 1916 Colonel Descoins and the commission signed a protocol, according to which an autonomous province would be established on the territories of Korçë, Bilishti, Kolonja, Opar
and Gora. It was also agreed that the 14 members of the commission would make up the administrative council, responsible for maintaining order.
The new authorities in Korçë organized the police force and gendarmerie
, a post office
system and issued postage stamps.
proclaimed a new statute which repealed constitutional protocol. The Administration was entrusted to the commander of the army group Malik. The Administrative Council was replaced with an Advisory Council which was reduced to 12 members (still half Muslims and half Christians). Territory under French administration was divided on two parts, north (Pogradec) and south (Republic of Korçë) of Devolli.
. In the following period the Greeks of the city were persecuted by the Albanian nationalist elements that aimed at acquiring control over Korçë. As a result the local Greeks asked the French authorities to prolong their occupation until the end of World War I.
In the period of March 1917 — February 1918, Qani Dishnica was appointed as the Chairman of the Albanian Administrative Council. On the French side, the delegated governors of the Republic of Korçë were Henri Descoins (December 10, 1916 — May 11, 1917), Salle (1917—1919) and Reynard Lespinasse (June 1919 — May 26, 1920).
The French delegated governors appointed an officer to be their delegate to the Council. The first officer appointed was reserve Lieutenant Bargeton, who was replaced in the middle of January 1917 by a Lieutenant Siegfried.
intended to help in establishing 200 elementary schools on Albanian language
, as part of the strategy of Albanian national affirmation. On the other hand all the Greek schools were forced to close down, while the Greek element of the city was persecuted. The Albanian National Lyceum
high school in Korçë was established in 1917. French authorities claim that they banned opening of the high school because they did not want to offend their Greek allies led by Eleftherios Venizelos
' Movement of National Defence
, who claimed rights over the area. Some sources find this claim inappropriate, considering that the French Lycée in Thessaloníki sent professor Vital Gerson to lead a small team of three Albanian professors to join a French officer, who gave some notions of French culture, on the opening ceremony of the school. The French National Lyceum was the first Albanian high school that was open to the students of all faiths.
) or franc (French
) was the currency of the Autonomous Albanian Republic of Korçë (also written "Koritza" on the currency) between 1917 and 1921. It was subdivided into 100 centimes. The currency was introduced during the period of French occupation. It was only issued in paper money form, with notes issued in denominations of 50 centimes, 1 and 5 frange. Both paper money
and post stamps were engraved by the soldier Davier (a student of Louis-Oscar Roty
).
undertook an action against the armies of Austria-Hungary and Bulgaria
in Albania, and on September 9 French troops captured Pogradec
. Together with the armies of Bulgaria and Austria-Hungary, there were Albanians
, led by Hysejn Nikolica, fighting against the French troops. Themistokli Gërmenji was awarded the Croix de guerre
in November 1917, for his participation in the French capture of Pogradec with the battalion from Korçë. Although the French government considered appointing Essad Pasha Toptani to govern the Pogradec region it remained under French administration.
and executed in Thesaloniki after being sentenced to death by the French military court.
General Salle removed the already limited autonomy
of the Council on February 16, 1918. After the armistice
s and capitulation
s at the end of First World War, it was agreed that France and Italy should continue to govern the territories they occupied, and that France
, Italy
and the British Empire
together should govern Shkodër
. As a result, the French army moved from Korçë on June 15, 1920. After the French army left Korçë, the fate of the territory that it administered was decided by the Paris Peace Conference in 1919
.
demanded explanations from the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through its ambassador, stating that the establishment of the Autonomous Albanian Republic of Korçë violated the Treaty of London. Austria-Hungary
used the French precedent in Korçë to justify the proclamation of the independence of Albania under its protectorate on January 3, 1917 in Shkodër
. The Kingdom of Italy
followed suit when proclaiming the independence of Albania under its protectorate on June 23, 1917 in Gjirokastra.
Because General Maurice Sarrail
had demonstrated a tendency to interfere in politics, Prime Minister Georges Clemenceau
relieved him of his command in December 1917. There was a strong French influence in Korçë even after the Autonomous Republic ceased to exist. The Albanian National Lyceum
remained active until 1939; a French Military Cemetery
was built and can still be seen in the city.
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
forces, after the city of Korçë
Korçë
Korçë is a city in southeastern Albania and the capital of the Korçë District. It has a population of around 105,000 people , making it the sixth largest city in Albania...
fell under their control, during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
and lasted till 1920.
Due to developments in the Macedonian Front
Macedonian front (World War I)
The Macedonian Front resulted from an attempt by the Allied Powers to aid Serbia, in the autumn of 1915, against the combined attack of Germany, Austria-Hungary and Bulgaria. The expedition came too late and in insufficient force to prevent the fall of Serbia, and was complicated by the internal...
of World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
the city of Korçë
Korçë
Korçë is a city in southeastern Albania and the capital of the Korçë District. It has a population of around 105,000 people , making it the sixth largest city in Albania...
came under French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
control (1916–20). During this time 14 representatives of Korçë and French Colonel Descoins signed a protocol that proclaimed the Autonomous Albanian Republic of Korçë under the military protection of the French army and with Themistokli Gërmenji
Themistokli Gërmenji
Themistokli Gërmenji was one of the activists of the Albanian National Awakening, the leader of the Albanian irregulars from 1909 to 1914, and the prefect of police of Autonomous Albanian Republic of Korçë from 1916 to 1917.- Biography :...
as Prefect of Police.
The new authorities introduced Albanian
Albanian language
Albanian is an Indo-European language spoken by approximately 7.6 million people, primarily in Albania and Kosovo but also in other areas of the Balkans in which there is an Albanian population, including western Macedonia, southern Montenegro, southern Serbia and northwestern Greece...
as the official language and replaced Greek
Greeks
The Greeks, also known as the Hellenes , are a nation and ethnic group native to Greece, Cyprus and neighboring regions. They also form a significant diaspora, with Greek communities established around the world....
schools with Albanian
Albanians
Albanians are a nation and ethnic group native to Albania and neighbouring countries. They speak the Albanian language. More than half of all Albanians live in Albania and Kosovo...
ones, which were forbidden during the Greek administration of the city. There was also a French school in Korçë
Albanian National Lyceum
The Albanian National Lyceum was a high school in the city of Korçë, Albania, fully financed by the Albanian government, but that emphasized the French culture and the European values. The school fully functioned in the years 1917-1939...
, and one of its many students was Enver Hoxha
Enver Hoxha
Enver Halil Hoxha was a Marxist–Leninist revolutionary andthe leader of Albania from the end of World War II until his death in 1985, as the First Secretary of the Party of Labour of Albania...
, who was apprentice
Apprenticeship
Apprenticeship is a system of training a new generation of practitioners of a skill. Apprentices or protégés build their careers from apprenticeships...
(1927—1930) and then teacher
Teacher
A teacher or schoolteacher is a person who provides education for pupils and students . The role of teacher is often formal and ongoing, carried out at a school or other place of formal education. In many countries, a person who wishes to become a teacher must first obtain specified professional...
(1937—1939). He would later become the First Secretary of the Albanian Party of Labour
Albanian Party of Labour
The Party of Labour of Albania was the sole legal political party in Albania during communist rule...
, serving from 1941 until his death in 1985.
Background
The Republic of Korçë was established in 1916 during World War IWorld War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. The Austro-Hungarian
Austria-Hungary
Austria-Hungary , more formally known as the Kingdoms and Lands Represented in the Imperial Council and the Lands of the Holy Hungarian Crown of Saint Stephen, was a constitutional monarchic union between the crowns of the Austrian Empire and the Kingdom of Hungary in...
army invaded northern Albania in the spring of 1916, the Kingdom of Bulgaria
Kingdom of Bulgaria
The Kingdom of Bulgaria was established as an independent state when the Principality of Bulgaria, an Ottoman vassal, officially proclaimed itself independent on October 5, 1908 . This move also formalised the annexation of the Ottoman province of Eastern Rumelia, which had been under the control...
's army occupied the eastern parts of Albania, including the city of Elbassan (which was later handed over to Austria-Hungary
Austria-Hungary
Austria-Hungary , more formally known as the Kingdoms and Lands Represented in the Imperial Council and the Lands of the Holy Hungarian Crown of Saint Stephen, was a constitutional monarchic union between the crowns of the Austrian Empire and the Kingdom of Hungary in...
). The French army occupied Korçë
Korçë
Korçë is a city in southeastern Albania and the capital of the Korçë District. It has a population of around 105,000 people , making it the sixth largest city in Albania...
and its surrounding areas on November 29, 1916. Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
occupied the port of Vlorë
Vlorë
Vlorë is one of the biggest towns and the second largest port city of Albania, after Durrës, with a population of about 94,000 . It is the city where the Albanian Declaration of Independence was proclaimed on November 28, 1912...
and the region of south Principality of Albania
Principality of Albania
The Principality of Albania refers to the short-lived monarchy in Albania, headed by William, Prince of Albania and to the state after the First World War, until the abolition of the monarchy in 1925, when Albania was declared a republic.-Principality:The Principality was established on February...
on December 1914 and in the autumn 1916.
Northern Epirus
KorçëKorçë
Korçë is a city in southeastern Albania and the capital of the Korçë District. It has a population of around 105,000 people , making it the sixth largest city in Albania...
belongs to the region regarded as Northern Epirus
Northern Epirus
Northern Epirus is a term used to refer to those parts of the historical region of Epirus, in the western Balkans, that are part of the modern Albania. The term is used mostly by Greeks and is associated with the existence of a substantial ethnic Greek population in the region...
, a region with substantial Albanian
Albanians
Albanians are a nation and ethnic group native to Albania and neighbouring countries. They speak the Albanian language. More than half of all Albanians live in Albania and Kosovo...
, Aromanian
Aromanians
Aromanians are a Latin people native throughout the southern Balkans, especially in northern Greece, Albania, the Republic of Macedonia, Bulgaria, and as an emigrant community in Serbia and Romania . An older term is Macedo-Romanians...
and Greek
Greeks
The Greeks, also known as the Hellenes , are a nation and ethnic group native to Greece, Cyprus and neighboring regions. They also form a significant diaspora, with Greek communities established around the world....
populations. The Greek national view was to classify all Albanians as Aromanians, and those people who called themselves Albanian Orthodox as part of the Greek minority. The Great Power
Great power
A great power is a nation or state that has the ability to exert its influence on a global scale. Great powers characteristically possess military and economic strength and diplomatic and cultural influence which may cause small powers to consider the opinions of great powers before taking actions...
s signed the Protocol of Florence and awarded the region to the newly founded Principality of Albania
Principality of Albania
The Principality of Albania refers to the short-lived monarchy in Albania, headed by William, Prince of Albania and to the state after the First World War, until the abolition of the monarchy in 1925, when Albania was declared a republic.-Principality:The Principality was established on February...
on December 17, 1913. Gradual withdrawal of the Greek
Kingdom of Greece
The Kingdom of Greece was a state established in 1832 in the Convention of London by the Great Powers...
army would enable the Albanian forces to take control of the region. Consequently, to avert this possibility, pro-Greek Epirotes decided to declare their own separate political identity and self-governance.
Autonomous Republic of Northern Epirus
On 28 February 1914, the Autonomous Republic of Northern EpirusAutonomous Republic of Northern Epirus
The Autonomous Republic of Northern Epirus was a short-lived, self-governing entity founded on February 28, 1914, in the aftermath of the Balkan Wars, by the Greeks living in southern Albania ....
was declared in Gjirokastër and the provisional Government was formed to support the state's objectives. The Protocol of Corfu
Protocol of Corfu
The Protocol of Corfu , signed on May 17, 1914, was an agreement between representatives of the Albanian Government and the Provisional Government of Northern Epirus, which officially recognized the area of Northern Epirus as an autonomous region within the Albanian state...
was signed on May 17, 1914 and the Albanian Government
Principality of Albania
The Principality of Albania refers to the short-lived monarchy in Albania, headed by William, Prince of Albania and to the state after the First World War, until the abolition of the monarchy in 1925, when Albania was declared a republic.-Principality:The Principality was established on February...
officially recognized the area of Northern Epirus
Northern Epirus
Northern Epirus is a term used to refer to those parts of the historical region of Epirus, in the western Balkans, that are part of the modern Albania. The term is used mostly by Greeks and is associated with the existence of a substantial ethnic Greek population in the region...
as an autonomous region within the Albanian state. Soon after the outbreak of World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
(July 1914), the situation in Albania became unstable and political chaos ensued. As the country split into a number of regional governments, Prince William departed the country in September 1914.
Greek military and civil administration
On 27 October 1914, after approval from the Great Powers, the Greek army re-entered the area. During the Greek administration, and while the First World War continued, it had been agreed between Greece, Italy and the Great Powers that the final settlement of the Northern Epirote issue should be left to the future, after the war ended. After VenizelosVenizelos
Venizelos is a Greek surname; it may refer to:* Eleftherios Venizelos , Greek politician* Sophoklis Venizelos , Greek politician, son of the above* Evangelos Venizelos , Greek politician, unrelated to the above...
' resignation in December however, the succeeding royalist governments were determined to exploit the situation and pre-determine the region's future by incorporating it formally within the Greek state. In the first months of 1916, Northern Epirus participated in the Greek elections and elected 16 representatives for the Greek Parliament. In March the region's union with Greece was officially declared, and the area was divided into the prefectures
Prefectures of Greece
During the first administrative division of independent Greece in 1833–1836 and then again from 1845 until their abolition with the Kallikratis reform in 2010, the prefectures were the country's main administrative unit...
of Argyrokastro and Korytsa.
Bulgarian occupation of Korçë
After the beginning of Bulgaria's engagement in First World War on the side of the Central PowersCentral Powers
The Central Powers were one of the two warring factions in World War I , composed of the German Empire, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the Ottoman Empire, and the Kingdom of Bulgaria...
in autumn 1915, many ethnic Albanians
Albanians
Albanians are a nation and ethnic group native to Albania and neighbouring countries. They speak the Albanian language. More than half of all Albanians live in Albania and Kosovo...
joined the Bulgarians who gave them weapons. The Kingdom of Bulgaria
Kingdom of Bulgaria
The Kingdom of Bulgaria was established as an independent state when the Principality of Bulgaria, an Ottoman vassal, officially proclaimed itself independent on October 5, 1908 . This move also formalised the annexation of the Ottoman province of Eastern Rumelia, which had been under the control...
used its army to occupy the eastern part of Albania at the beginning of the occupation of Albania
Bulgarian occupation of Albania
Bulgarian occupation of Albania refers to the occupation of Albania by the Kingdom of Bulgaria's army during World War I. It lasted between December 10, 1915, when Bulgarian army crossed the Drin river and entered the Albania, and lasted until September 9, 1917, when French troops captured...
.
After the occupation of the eastern parts of Albania, inclusive of the city of Elbasan, on August 18, 1916 the Bulgarian army, probably attempting to join Austrian forces in Albania
Albania (toponym)
The toponym Albania may indicate several different geographical regions: a country in the Balkans; an ancient land in the Caucasus; as well as Scotland, Albania being a Latinization of a Gaelic name for Scotland, Alba...
and in a combined attack on the Italian army, occupied Korçë
Korçë
Korçë is a city in southeastern Albania and the capital of the Korçë District. It has a population of around 105,000 people , making it the sixth largest city in Albania...
and ejected the Greek garrison from the city. Bulgaria's objective was to persuade the Albanian leaders to elect Prince Kiril, second son of Ferdinand I of Bulgaria
Ferdinand I of Bulgaria
Ferdinand , born Ferdinand Maximilian Karl Leopold Maria of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha-Koháry, was the ruler of Bulgaria from 1887 to 1918, first as knyaz and later as tsar...
, as their king . An additional reason for the Bulgarian occupation of Korçë was that Bulgarian positions in Bitolj would be seriously threatened if the Allies
Allies of World War I
The Entente Powers were the countries at war with the Central Powers during World War I. The members of the Triple Entente were the United Kingdom, France, and the Russian Empire; Italy entered the war on their side in 1915...
gained control of Korçë.
French occupation of Korçë
Military operation
Military operation is the coordinated military actions of a state in response to a developing situation. These actions are designed as a military plan to resolve the situation in the state's favor. Operations may be of combat or non-combat types, and are referred to by a code name for the purpose...
that aimed to connect the Allied front in Thessaloníki
Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki , historically also known as Thessalonica, Salonika or Salonica, is the second-largest city in Greece and the capital of the region of Central Macedonia as well as the capital of the Decentralized Administration of Macedonia and Thrace...
in the Macedonian front
Macedonian front (World War I)
The Macedonian Front resulted from an attempt by the Allied Powers to aid Serbia, in the autumn of 1915, against the combined attack of Germany, Austria-Hungary and Bulgaria. The expedition came too late and in insufficient force to prevent the fall of Serbia, and was complicated by the internal...
to the region in south Albania
Albania (toponym)
The toponym Albania may indicate several different geographical regions: a country in the Balkans; an ancient land in the Caucasus; as well as Scotland, Albania being a Latinization of a Gaelic name for Scotland, Alba...
, which was held by the Italian troops. French troops in Korçë were under General
General
A general officer is an officer of high military rank, usually in the army, and in some nations, the air force. The term is widely used by many nations of the world, and when a country uses a different term, there is an equivalent title given....
Maurice Sarrail
Maurice Sarrail
Maurice-Paul-Emmanuel Sarrail was a French general of the First World War. Sarrail endeared himself to the political elite of the Third Republic through his openly socialist views, all the more conspicuous in contrast to the Catholics, conservatives and monarchists who dominated the French Army...
, and under direct command of Colonel
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
Descoins. There were two groups of rebels active in the region of Korçë, one was led by Themistokli Gërmenji and another by Sali Butka
Sali Butka
Sali Butka was an Albanian nationalist figure, kachak, poet, and one of the delegates of the city of Korçë to the Albanian National Congress of Lushnjë.Butka was born in village Butkë of Kolonjë District...
. In the meantime, Albanian irregular bands, headed by Butka and cooperating with the Austrian forces, completely ravaged Moscopole
Moscopole
Moscopole was a cultural and commercial center of the Aromanians, and now a small municipality in Korçë District, modern southeastern Albania. At its peak, in the mid 18th century, it hosted the first printing press in the Balkans outside Istanbul, educational institutions and numerous churches...
, and threatened that if Korçë would suffer the same fate if it did not raise the Albanian flag and surrender to Albanian authorities.
Establishment of the Autonomous Albanian Republic of Korçë
Pogradec
Pogradec is a city in southeastern Albania, situated on the shores of Ohrid lake. It is the capital of the District of Pogradec, in the County of Korçë, located at 40.87°N and 20.70°E with a population of around 30,000 . The total area of the district is 725 km². Pogradec alone occupies about...
, which was occupied by the armies of Austria-Hungary and Bulgaria
Bulgarian occupation of Albania
Bulgarian occupation of Albania refers to the occupation of Albania by the Kingdom of Bulgaria's army during World War I. It lasted between December 10, 1915, when Bulgarian army crossed the Drin river and entered the Albania, and lasted until September 9, 1917, when French troops captured...
. The French officers appointed a commission led by Gërmenji. The commission had fourteen members, seven Christians and seven Muslims. The members of this commission were: Rafail Adhami, Kostandin Nocka, Nikolla Vangjeli, Vasil Singjeli, Vasil Kondi, Llambro Mborja, Thimi Cale, Shaqir Shabani, Tefik Rushiti, Hysen Dishnica, Emin Rakipi, Qani Dishnica, Sali Babani and Haki Shemshedini.
The commission held a meeting on December 10 at 9 a.m. in the Saint George's School and Gërmenji held a speech to the gathered men and after the meeting led the commission to the prefecture. In the prefecture they met with Colonel Descoins and with the other French officers. Haki Shemshedini approached to Colonel Descoins on behalf of the commission. Colonel Descoins informed the commission that they should sign a protocol. On December 10, 1916 Colonel Descoins and the commission signed a protocol, according to which an autonomous province would be established on the territories of Korçë, Bilishti, Kolonja, Opar
Opar, Albania
Opar is a community in the in the Korçë District, Korçë County, Albania.The origin of the noble Albanian family Muzaka, who would later rule in the Muzaka Principality of Berat is from Opar. The masons of the area speak a unique sociolect known as Purishte....
and Gora. It was also agreed that the 14 members of the commission would make up the administrative council, responsible for maintaining order.
Protocol
The text of the protocol, which stated that it was made according to the wishes of the Albanian delegates of kaza of Korçë, had 9 points that are summarized below:- the autonomous province of Korçë is established by this protocol, and refers to the territory of Korçë, Bilishti, Kolonja, OparOpar, AlbaniaOpar is a community in the in the Korçë District, Korçë County, Albania.The origin of the noble Albanian family Muzaka, who would later rule in the Muzaka Principality of Berat is from Opar. The masons of the area speak a unique sociolect known as Purishte....
and Gora - the kaza Korçë will be governed by the Administrative Council with 14 members, half Christan and half Muslim
- appointments to the positions in the kaza will be made by French military authorities, based on the proposal of the administrative council
- for maintaining order in the kaza, the prefect of police will be responsible, using newly established gendarmerie and police
- there shall be established a special unit of "Albanian gendarmerie mobile" which would be responsible for safeguarding the territory's independence and freedom of its people
- for the same purpose there can be established a regular battalion of volunteers
- Police, gendarmerie and volunteer troops would be under superior authority of the French officer
- the official language is Albanian
- the flag of the kaza Korçë will be traditional Skanderbeg flag with tricolor French flag
The new authorities in Korçë organized the police force and gendarmerie
Gendarmerie
A gendarmerie or gendarmery is a military force charged with police duties among civilian populations. Members of such a force are typically called "gendarmes". The Shorter Oxford English Dictionary describes a gendarme as "a soldier who is employed on police duties" and a "gendarmery, -erie" as...
, a post office
Post office
A post office is a facility forming part of a postal system for the posting, receipt, sorting, handling, transmission or delivery of mail.Post offices offer mail-related services such as post office boxes, postage and packaging supplies...
system and issued postage stamps.
Statute
On September 27, 1917 General Maurice SarrailMaurice Sarrail
Maurice-Paul-Emmanuel Sarrail was a French general of the First World War. Sarrail endeared himself to the political elite of the Third Republic through his openly socialist views, all the more conspicuous in contrast to the Catholics, conservatives and monarchists who dominated the French Army...
proclaimed a new statute which repealed constitutional protocol. The Administration was entrusted to the commander of the army group Malik. The Administrative Council was replaced with an Advisory Council which was reduced to 12 members (still half Muslims and half Christians). Territory under French administration was divided on two parts, north (Pogradec) and south (Republic of Korçë) of Devolli.
Administration
On December 10, 1916, Henry Descoins, the commander of the French garrison of Korçë, with the approval of Maurice Sarrail, declared the Autonomous Albanian Republic of Korçë, and appointed Themistokli Gërmenji as prefectPrefect
Prefect is a magisterial title of varying definition....
. In the following period the Greeks of the city were persecuted by the Albanian nationalist elements that aimed at acquiring control over Korçë. As a result the local Greeks asked the French authorities to prolong their occupation until the end of World War I.
In the period of March 1917 — February 1918, Qani Dishnica was appointed as the Chairman of the Albanian Administrative Council. On the French side, the delegated governors of the Republic of Korçë were Henri Descoins (December 10, 1916 — May 11, 1917), Salle (1917—1919) and Reynard Lespinasse (June 1919 — May 26, 1920).
The French delegated governors appointed an officer to be their delegate to the Council. The first officer appointed was reserve Lieutenant Bargeton, who was replaced in the middle of January 1917 by a Lieutenant Siegfried.
Education
FranceFrance
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
intended to help in establishing 200 elementary schools on Albanian language
Albanian language
Albanian is an Indo-European language spoken by approximately 7.6 million people, primarily in Albania and Kosovo but also in other areas of the Balkans in which there is an Albanian population, including western Macedonia, southern Montenegro, southern Serbia and northwestern Greece...
, as part of the strategy of Albanian national affirmation. On the other hand all the Greek schools were forced to close down, while the Greek element of the city was persecuted. The Albanian National Lyceum
Albanian National Lyceum
The Albanian National Lyceum was a high school in the city of Korçë, Albania, fully financed by the Albanian government, but that emphasized the French culture and the European values. The school fully functioned in the years 1917-1939...
high school in Korçë was established in 1917. French authorities claim that they banned opening of the high school because they did not want to offend their Greek allies led by Eleftherios Venizelos
Eleftherios Venizelos
Eleftherios Venizelos was an eminent Greek revolutionary, a prominent and illustrious statesman as well as a charismatic leader in the early 20th century. Elected several times as Prime Minister of Greece and served from 1910 to 1920 and from 1928 to 1932...
' Movement of National Defence
Movement of National Defence
The Movement of National Defence was an uprising by Venizelist officers of the Hellenic Army in Thessaloniki in August 1916 against the royal government in Athens. It led to the establishment of a separate, Venizelist Greek government in the north of the country, which entered the First World...
, who claimed rights over the area. Some sources find this claim inappropriate, considering that the French Lycée in Thessaloníki sent professor Vital Gerson to lead a small team of three Albanian professors to join a French officer, who gave some notions of French culture, on the opening ceremony of the school. The French National Lyceum was the first Albanian high school that was open to the students of all faiths.
Currency
The frange (AlbanianAlbanian language
Albanian is an Indo-European language spoken by approximately 7.6 million people, primarily in Albania and Kosovo but also in other areas of the Balkans in which there is an Albanian population, including western Macedonia, southern Montenegro, southern Serbia and northwestern Greece...
) or franc (French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
) was the currency of the Autonomous Albanian Republic of Korçë (also written "Koritza" on the currency) between 1917 and 1921. It was subdivided into 100 centimes. The currency was introduced during the period of French occupation. It was only issued in paper money form, with notes issued in denominations of 50 centimes, 1 and 5 frange. Both paper money
Paper Money
Paper Money is the second album by the band Montrose. It was released in 1974 and was the band's last album to feature Sammy Hagar as lead vocalist.-History:...
and post stamps were engraved by the soldier Davier (a student of Louis-Oscar Roty
Louis-Oscar Roty
Louis-Oscar Roty usually known as Oscar Roty was one of the most celebrated medallists of the Art Nouveau period.-Biography:...
).
Pogradec
In September 1917 General Maurice SarrailMaurice Sarrail
Maurice-Paul-Emmanuel Sarrail was a French general of the First World War. Sarrail endeared himself to the political elite of the Third Republic through his openly socialist views, all the more conspicuous in contrast to the Catholics, conservatives and monarchists who dominated the French Army...
undertook an action against the armies of Austria-Hungary and Bulgaria
Kingdom of Bulgaria
The Kingdom of Bulgaria was established as an independent state when the Principality of Bulgaria, an Ottoman vassal, officially proclaimed itself independent on October 5, 1908 . This move also formalised the annexation of the Ottoman province of Eastern Rumelia, which had been under the control...
in Albania, and on September 9 French troops captured Pogradec
Pogradec
Pogradec is a city in southeastern Albania, situated on the shores of Ohrid lake. It is the capital of the District of Pogradec, in the County of Korçë, located at 40.87°N and 20.70°E with a population of around 30,000 . The total area of the district is 725 km². Pogradec alone occupies about...
. Together with the armies of Bulgaria and Austria-Hungary, there were Albanians
Albanians
Albanians are a nation and ethnic group native to Albania and neighbouring countries. They speak the Albanian language. More than half of all Albanians live in Albania and Kosovo...
, led by Hysejn Nikolica, fighting against the French troops. Themistokli Gërmenji was awarded the Croix de guerre
Croix de guerre
The Croix de guerre is a military decoration of France. It was first created in 1915 and consists of a square-cross medal on two crossed swords, hanging from a ribbon with various degree pins. The decoration was awarded during World War I, again in World War II, and in other conflicts...
in November 1917, for his participation in the French capture of Pogradec with the battalion from Korçë. Although the French government considered appointing Essad Pasha Toptani to govern the Pogradec region it remained under French administration.
Disestablishment of the Autonomous Albanian Republic of Korçë
In November 1917 General Salle reported that the attempt at cooperation between Christians and Muslims had resulted in frequent difficulties. At the end of 1917 Germenji was accused of collaboration with the Central PowersCentral Powers
The Central Powers were one of the two warring factions in World War I , composed of the German Empire, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the Ottoman Empire, and the Kingdom of Bulgaria...
and executed in Thesaloniki after being sentenced to death by the French military court.
General Salle removed the already limited autonomy
Autonomy
Autonomy is a concept found in moral, political and bioethical philosophy. Within these contexts, it is the capacity of a rational individual to make an informed, un-coerced decision...
of the Council on February 16, 1918. After the armistice
Armistice
An armistice is a situation in a war where the warring parties agree to stop fighting. It is not necessarily the end of a war, but may be just a cessation of hostilities while an attempt is made to negotiate a lasting peace...
s and capitulation
Capitulation (surrender)
Capitulation , an agreement in time of war for the surrender to a hostile armed force of a particular body of troops, a town or a territory....
s at the end of First World War, it was agreed that France and Italy should continue to govern the territories they occupied, and that France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
and the British Empire
British Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
together should govern Shkodër
Shkodër
Shkodër , is a city located on Lake of Shkoder in northwestern Albania in the District of Shkodër, of which it is the capital. It is one of the oldest and most historic towns in Albania, as well as an important cultural and economic centre. Shkodër's estimated population is 90,000; if the...
. As a result, the French army moved from Korçë on June 15, 1920. After the French army left Korçë, the fate of the territory that it administered was decided by the Paris Peace Conference in 1919
Paris Peace Conference, 1919
The Paris Peace Conference was the meeting of the Allied victors following the end of World War I to set the peace terms for the defeated Central Powers following the armistices of 1918. It took place in Paris in 1919 and involved diplomats from more than 32 countries and nationalities...
.
Aftermath
On December 12, 1916, ItalyItaly
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
demanded explanations from the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through its ambassador, stating that the establishment of the Autonomous Albanian Republic of Korçë violated the Treaty of London. Austria-Hungary
Austria-Hungary
Austria-Hungary , more formally known as the Kingdoms and Lands Represented in the Imperial Council and the Lands of the Holy Hungarian Crown of Saint Stephen, was a constitutional monarchic union between the crowns of the Austrian Empire and the Kingdom of Hungary in...
used the French precedent in Korçë to justify the proclamation of the independence of Albania under its protectorate on January 3, 1917 in Shkodër
Shkodër
Shkodër , is a city located on Lake of Shkoder in northwestern Albania in the District of Shkodër, of which it is the capital. It is one of the oldest and most historic towns in Albania, as well as an important cultural and economic centre. Shkodër's estimated population is 90,000; if the...
. The Kingdom of Italy
Kingdom of Italy (1861–1946)
The Kingdom of Italy was a state forged in 1861 by the unification of Italy under the influence of the Kingdom of Sardinia, which was its legal predecessor state...
followed suit when proclaiming the independence of Albania under its protectorate on June 23, 1917 in Gjirokastra.
Because General Maurice Sarrail
Maurice Sarrail
Maurice-Paul-Emmanuel Sarrail was a French general of the First World War. Sarrail endeared himself to the political elite of the Third Republic through his openly socialist views, all the more conspicuous in contrast to the Catholics, conservatives and monarchists who dominated the French Army...
had demonstrated a tendency to interfere in politics, Prime Minister Georges Clemenceau
Georges Clemenceau
Georges Benjamin Clemenceau was a French statesman, physician and journalist. He served as the Prime Minister of France from 1906 to 1909, and again from 1917 to 1920. For nearly the final year of World War I he led France, and was one of the major voices behind the Treaty of Versailles at the...
relieved him of his command in December 1917. There was a strong French influence in Korçë even after the Autonomous Republic ceased to exist. The Albanian National Lyceum
Albanian National Lyceum
The Albanian National Lyceum was a high school in the city of Korçë, Albania, fully financed by the Albanian government, but that emphasized the French culture and the European values. The school fully functioned in the years 1917-1939...
remained active until 1939; a French Military Cemetery
French Military Cemetery, Korçë
The French Military Cemetery is a large cemetery located in Korçë, Albania. It's located near Rinia Park. The French military cemetery has 640 crosses. They mark the graves of the French soldiers that died here in the conflicts of the First World War....
was built and can still be seen in the city.
See also
- Themistokli GërmenjiThemistokli GërmenjiThemistokli Gërmenji was one of the activists of the Albanian National Awakening, the leader of the Albanian irregulars from 1909 to 1914, and the prefect of police of Autonomous Albanian Republic of Korçë from 1916 to 1917.- Biography :...
- Maurice SarrailMaurice SarrailMaurice-Paul-Emmanuel Sarrail was a French general of the First World War. Sarrail endeared himself to the political elite of the Third Republic through his openly socialist views, all the more conspicuous in contrast to the Catholics, conservatives and monarchists who dominated the French Army...
- French Military Cemetery, KorçëFrench Military Cemetery, KorçëThe French Military Cemetery is a large cemetery located in Korçë, Albania. It's located near Rinia Park. The French military cemetery has 640 crosses. They mark the graves of the French soldiers that died here in the conflicts of the First World War....
- Italian Protectorate on southern Albania
- List of French possessions and colonies
External links
- L’Albanie et la France dans l’entre-deux-guerres : une relation privilégiée ? by Guillaume Robert - dissertation submitted to the DEA Fourth Section of the EPHE under the leadership of Professor Christian Gut, as the French cultural diplomacy and influence in Albania during the period between the wars.
- Web site with illustration of flag of Republic of Korce and its brief history
- Text about Themistokli Gërmenji on web site kosova.albemigrant.com