Dashnor Kaloçi
Memorie.al publishes the unknown story and the great echo that had in Albania and throughout the Albanian colonies around the world, the death of the Emperor of Austria-Hungary, Franc Joseph (the old man), who passed away at the age of 87, in November of 1916. How was the loss of the old man of the famous Habsburg dynasty commented on by the newspaper “Vëllazënija”, published by the Albanian colony of Vienna, and the high considerations that the Albanians expressed for that statesman, whom they called a friend and their great protectors?!
Full 96 years ago, in November 1916, as the First World War (in the whirlpool of which Albania was included) was reaching its peak, the news spread around the world that he had passed away at the age of 87. The Emperor of Austria-Hungary, Franz Joseph (the Elder), who at that time, though at a young age, had a not insignificant role in the world war, where Austria-Hungary had become a party and had hundreds at the front and thousands of its soldiers. The death of Emperor Franz Joseph had a great echo in Albania, as at that time most of its territory was under the control of Austro-Hungarian troops, whom Albanians saw as their saviors. Based on this fact, the death of Franz Joseph was received with great sorrow by what can be called the Albanian political class of that time, as well as by the leaders of different tribes, who constituted the leadership of Albania in those years, to who, as a sign of deep reverence and respect, went to Vienna to pay homage and to express to the imperial family of the Habsburgs the most cordial considerations and thanks to that statesman, whom they regarded not only as a great friend. of them, but also as the most loyal defender of Albania, where they had hung all hopes. All these, among other things, at that time were reflected in detail by the newspaper “Brotherhood”, which was published by the Albanian colony of Vienna, which devoted entire pages to that event, considering Franz Joseph as one of the saviors of Albania. From that newspaper (“Vëllazënija”) we have selected and are publishing some parts of her writings, which follow from November 1916, when Emperor Franz Joseph died, until April 1917, when the Albanian delegation went to to pay homage to Vienna. We are publishing these writings in their original version, in the written language of that time (without any changes), making only some clarification from the dialectal side of Gegërisht.
Writing of the newspaper ‘Vëllazënija’ with the title: Deka of Emperor Frano Zefi I
The peoples of Austria-Hungary are having. Emperor Frano Zefi (Franc Joseph, our note), father of the homeland, beloved father of the people died. The bells are ringing loudly, the black flags are fluttering everywhere in the Monarchy’s sheep, millions (millions) of people have put on mourning clothes, they have fallen even more beloved; at, their emperor, how ma. His faithful eye, saw the acquisition of the arms of Austria-Hungary, the loyal defenders of the Monarchy, how the raging attacks on the enemies were broken on the iron walls of the brave Austro-Hungarian army; They said to me, “Peace be upon him, to whom he had devoted his life.” As did Emperor Frano Zefi, so did some; in the environment of his work, in the environment of incessant care for his people, in the environment of the performance of duty, qi has filled his whole life. To the coffin of the great Emperor, are the peoples. In any case, who reads the cramps, which in these days millions of hearts permeate, that world was the beautiful and peaceful spring, in which the old emperor gave his soul. How can you tell us in these few lines, what has this great emperor done, what has happened to the people of the Monarchy and all those whom he loved well? Do many storytellers with unknown books have the means to end it? This wonderful man lived before most of us saw the light of day. With faithful care, with kindness and justice, with an iron accomplishment of his duty he shone you of our own peoples but as an example. In joy and merriment his father cheered him, in difficult times he was the hope of all. The life and destiny of all the peoples of Austria-Hungary had been connected with him for almost seventy years. When he says something Austrian “Our Emperor”, there was in this word a sound so special, sweet and gentle, as when one speaks of his beloved father. In these difficult years of the great war (World War I), the love of the peoples for their emperor became even more cordial and deep. Whatever happened in the opposition of the peoples was reflected in the emperor! And when, in the early hours of the morning, the horrific murder took place in Sarajevo. A single goat word was heard in our Monarchy, word of mouth: “Our best old man, emperor”! And when the enemies seized the Monarch with ashes in battle, that world was spoken of by the emperor in that historic manifesto, with which he called the peoples to take up arms, for their hearts. The great desire we had was, years, qi ash Tenzot, he had given me a run, to devote himself to the deeds of peace and to save my peoples from the threads (sacrifices), difficult from the heavy burden of war – in court of Nalti because they did it differently ”. When the peoples of Austria-Hungary heard the emperor’s roar, they gripped their flames. This long war leads not only to great gains, but also to fiery threads of blood and care. By performed his duty incessantly and with love the emperor participated in the fate of his peoples and from where that calm hope flowed, qi but like a hot light penetrated everywhere. As a miracle sat on the throne (headquarters), this old man eighty-six years sixty-eight years over his people. It was as if the elders had not touched your body as well as your soul. And it was this magnificent, this excellent, this good one I go. A deep sigh is pervading the records of the Monarchy. What Frano Zefi did, what he suffered and sacrificed for his people, I will tell the history of the world. The good deeds, the nobility and the blessing, which she has performed in her life, have erupted with the will of the people, as has never happened to another monarch on earth. Even the Albanian nation trumpeted Frano Zefi a good and loving father. Now, for many years, the emperor has had in his heart the fate of the Albanian nation from being torn apart and destroyed, she spoke her powerful word, when the Serbs wanted to overthrow the Albanian people. How many times has the emperor Frano Zefi received the leading Albanians in the audience and assured them that he has in his heart the fate of the Albanian nation? Every Albanian who had the good fortune to be received by the emperor and to talk to him, then told him with fervor and joy, how well the emperor knew all the affairs of Albania and how much lively interest for her for every fortune and lot of the Albanian nation, to take a hot part in all affairs. Ë now qi died good emperor, our uncle Frano! But at his western grave our peoples, who had already sacrificed their will, are making it a sacred condition today; to preserve and bring home the homeland, to the good of which all his life belonged. Let me tell you the enemies, that the Monarchy of Austria-Hungary will last as long as its life and how much power all its water will be broken. The love for the great attenuer emperor, who dies, will be revealed by the peoples of the Monarchy, who united faithfully and with a burning heart around the Heir, to lead this war in honor of the Monarchy.
Burial of Emperor Frano Zefi
The body of the great emperor Frano Zefi I is now resting in the royal tomb of the generous Habsburg house; where your forefathers rest. The people conveyed to you this last time for the charitable father, for whom he had a special wish. The king, the prince, the people ‘s nobility, and the people themselves took part in his burial. Vorrit was given the lid and the emperor Frano Zefi was given forever by the peoples, who have protected them as a faithful father; to whom with an unwavering faith they reward all that love they had for them. The peoples of the Monarchy and the Albanian people have the veil to be exactly a loving father. Your destiny, love and gratitude will never be forgotten generation after generation. And it was too soon for me to fully understand what Emperor was the Monarch qi was given to us. Emperor Frano Zefi is great here as a man and great as a ruler. Few people in this world have suffered as much. For someone else it was to have this incredibly heavy burden. Emperor Frano Zefi was the true father of the peoples; she really understood what the duty of a ruler was, and to this I consecrated her whole life and all her power. For sixty years in a row you lead the peoples of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy in all the waters of life. That world when you took control in your hands were difficult times; the ancient world gives way to the new world. New ideas spread to all states and major shifts were made. But like a rock in the middle of the sea I stood Emperor Frano Zefi for almost seventy years all the waterfalls in all the storms of the peoples of the Monarchy and the others had a living hope in it, from which they never loved the eyes. Is not Emperor Frano Zefi the one who kept the peace of Europe for many years? How many times through his mediator was he not allowed to shed blood? The emperor of peace rightly called it the world, but now in the end we are very angry when your enemies greedily declare this great war. The writers of the history of the present time have to describe in real volumes the life of the great Monarch; they have shown that the purpose of his life was good and duty. His idea was the hope of the peoples; which illuminates you in good and difficult days and this knowledge of his always found its way. Here is the mirror of a man who always does his duty. No matter how old he was, he never quit his job. Perandro was still at his desk working without it. He never had time for pleasure, and he knew nothing but pleasure; and when your doctor advised him to rest and guard the themselves, he found that he would do his duty. Thus, he lived until old age and until the last days and in the middle of work came the muck.
The burial of the Emperor
On the 30th of November, after lunch, the Emperor Frano Zefi I was buried with incomparable splendor. The streets of the big city were filled with hundreds of thousands of people, who duel to greet the Emperor and the Deacon for the last time. At 2 o’clock in the afternoon, under the sound of all the bells of Vienna, the coffin was taken from the chapel of his palace and brought to Ringstrasse, Franc Josefa-Kai of Rotenturmstrasse, where it was taken to the church of St. Stephen. The emperor’s servants on horseback lead the dead in hire, followed by a squadron of the Emperor’s Dragons, a company of infantry, cavalry, and the guardians of the West, both Austrian and Hungarian. After them came the imperial chariot dressed in black and lifted by eight black horses. Above the cart was the box covered with black cloth. Next to the chariot runs the Emperor’s guard ear for beauty. Everywhere the Emperor of the Deacon crossed, the army was lined up, the men were standing with their heads uncovered and the women were standing there. In the church of St. Stephen was gathered the Parish of the Monarchy, princes, ministers, generals, deputies and everything. From other countries came foreign kings, princes, diplomats and many delegations. When you arrive at the coffin with the deceased emperor in St. Stephen’s Church, I bless the Cardinal of Vienna Dr. von Pifil; which was surrounded by other bishops and the whole clergy. After the blessing in the church, the ark was put back on the chariot and the sound of the bells was heard and conveyed to the church of the Capuchins, where the imperial tombs are located. The ark was carried back by Emperor Karl, Empress Zita, together with the little heir. The king and queen of Bavaria (Bavaria), the king of Saxony, the king of Bulgaria, the heir of Germany, the heir of Turkey, the heir of Sweden (Sweden), the Infant Fernando of Spain, the Waldemar prince of Denmark, Duke Philipp Albrecht.
The last hours of Emperor Frano Zefi
In the days of the deacon the emperor had a clear mind and had a lively interest in all events. The capture of Craiova, which was the news last night, filled the emperor with great joy. At six o’clock in the evening he fell into bed; his doctor, Dr. Von Kerzel asked, “What is Your Majesty ordering for tomorrow?” The emperor replied: “I will be taken as usual at 3 o’clock in the morning”, then I will put the old emperor to sleep; from which he will never wake up again.
A diffusion of Emperor Frano Zefi over Emperor Karl
The president of the Hungarian academy of knowledge, adviser Von Berzeviczy duel a few months ago in an audience with Emperor Frano Zefi, the emperor told the president in conversation: “I am too old and I will not have a long life. But do not be afraid that my heir is a very good and kind boy; I have it in my heart, and I have put all my hopes in it “.
Emperor Charles I
On the 22nd of November, Emperor Charles I took power and announced his former Austrian-Hungarian ministers as subordinates. On that very day, the ministers and generals received the audience and consulted with them. The new emperor here prepares to rule after the wishes and care of the old emperor. While he was serving as a soldier, it was clear that the new emperor was full of good things; he had a clear mind and how to beg for time day by day with a serious smile; he was given a mark especially for the flaw (character) he had, and wherever his work required him, he always did his duty. Emperor Charles I was a soldier of flesh and blood. The military action of the possible years was so heavy for him that he did not even have time to rest for an hour. When he was serving in Vienna in the 4th regiment, he lived in the Hetzendorf castle and in the morning, he was sent to the barracks at seven o’clock in the barracks. After 2 or 2 and a half days he returned to Hetzendorf and had lunch with his mistress. At 4 o’clock he goes back to the barracks, where he grows up to the end and thus does his duty as if they had a soldier whatever. He loved hunting very much, and the new Emperor is not only a great friend of hunting, but also of nature. Since the beginning of the war, the Emperor has been at the forefront of the fighting. Every once in a while, in Vienna for two or three days I announce to the great uncle, Emperor Frano Zefi, how the war is going. Now, for 28 months, I have been marking and watching all the battles of the war, you have spoken word of mouth with the soldiers, and your heart was very pleased when those heroes who had defended the homeland were given marks. He speaks and writes all the languages of the Monarchy and our peoples hold him in high esteem. After defeating the Italians near Bulgaria with his army and fighting everywhere in the front, he gave the marks to the soldiers with his own hand. The heir, Archduke Otto, is 4 years old, a handsome man, smart and with blond hair.
Emperor Charles l, his soldiers
His Majesty Charles I announced this order to the army and navy: “Soldiers! The first of the whole army, my high uncle, the emperor and king Frano Zefi I, who for almost seven and ten years took care of you, your grandparents, loved everyone like him, duel now in the afterlife. Always keep in mind and as an example of a soldier who always does his duty and dedicates all his knowledge to the goodness of You and the homeland until the last hour, you had an empire in your mind and heart, loving and brave soldiers. Soldiers! In this great war I passed among You until today difficult days, but crowned with unforgettable gains. At this important time, I came out of your vehicle and became the Commander-in-Chief of the famous army of my fleet. We will fight with the help of God together with our covenants – with unwavering hope for the rights and signs ours until we have the profit in hand. The soul of the Unforgettable, which was given to us, will have you with you and will have given you the heart to fight bravely even after today, until they said, that the crown of victory will be placed on the grave of You, as a sign of gratitude s’one faithful to all that love and care that that generous heart has always felt for its faithful army. Vienna, 22 november 1916. Charles I m. p.
Thanks to Emperor Frano Zefi to his peoples and his troops
His Apostolic Majesty Frano Zefi I, qi died, left in his will these words of thanks for his people, as well as for his army and fleet; “I am thanking all my peoples for all that incomparable love, which was shown to Me and to My back, both in the days of joy and in difficult times, and this feeling of true love I rejoice the heart to strengthen me even more qi made the task of Me as a ruler. Yes, I have a living hope that my people will preserve that patriotic feeling for my hair! I do not thank the army and the navy for their bravery and faith, which they always showed. Their profits fill me with amusement and innocent risks break my heart. The incomparable spirit that always reigns in the army, in the fleet, as well as in the two defensive armies of the country, assures me that the heir of Em is as precious as I am. ”
“An honor of the Albanians for the blanket of Emperor Frano Zefi I”
Among the hundreds of telegrams and letters of condolence sent to the great and famous Habsburg family on the death of Austro-Hungarian Emperor Franz Joseph, by many emperors, kings, princes, prime ministers, ministers, deputies, senators and various personalities from all over the world was that of the Albanian colony of Vienna. The letter of condolence, which was published in full by the newspaper “Vëllazënija”, reads: “The Albanian colony of Vienna sent this letter to the foreign minister and the imperial house: Excellency! Together with the peoples of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy, the Albanian people are also mourning at the coffin of the late Emperor His Apostolic Majesty Frano Zefi I. The great emperor here also for the Albanian people a loyal and loving father. The generous heart of His Majesty was filled with ardent feelings for our people, who had from him unknown unknown good. The costly word of the dead emperor has protected our nation in difficult times from the nails of the enemy, who would tear us to pieces; all the time when our people were in danger, His Majesty, they waved their hand quickly. For this reason, all Albanians, regardless of religion, had a special love for the great Emperor. When in former times our country suffered; then they turned their eyes to our beloved father, in whom they had placed our only hope. And if we are free today and have all these good things, we will first give thanks to His Apostolic Majesty who brings our wishes to fruition. Thus, with a broken heart, we mourn the loss of our beloved father, our emperor, to whom our people will be honored a hundred and one thousand times. At this time, qi all the Monarchy is covered in mourning, we are asking Your Excellency to like our warmest condolences to assure Your Excellency that the Albanian people will never forget all those good things, qi has followed from the Great Emperor. The Albanian nation, with its love and gratitude, is forever with the high Door of the Habsburgs. We ask Your Excellency to humbly place before the high throne of Your Apostolic Majesty, the Emperor and King Charles I, the unwavering and unbreakable faith of the Albanian people. Your Excellency, you like our honors and the humility with which they are always being signed. Albanian colony of Vienna. Vienna on November 27, 1916. (Under this article, Mr. Abdi Bej Toptani, Filip Noga, Bajram Curri, Masar bej Toptani, Nexhib Bej Bashaj, the mayor of Peja) and many other patriots who are in Vienna. /Memorie.al
