![Durrës Essad Pasha Toptani [in uniform] and dignitaries, March 1914](https://memorie.al/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Durrës-Essad-Pasha-Toptani-in-uniform-and-dignitaries-March-1914.jpg?v=1613423864)
Dashnor Kaloçi
Memorie.al publishes some unknown articles published in September 1913 in the newspaper “Përlindja e Shqypniës” published in Vlora, where in one of them, its author who has signed it with the name, (Met Fiso) addresses Esat Pasha Toptan, taking into analysis all his political and military movements. All the details of the letter, from his heroic fight for the defense of the city of Shkodra, the reasons for handing over the city to Montenegrin troops, to his resignation as minister of the Vlora cabinet, where Pasha Toptanas resigned, after accusing Ismail Qemali that had taken over the powers of the ministers! As well as some other unknown articles from the Albanian press of 1913, mainly to the newspaper “Përlindja e Shqypniës”, where some well-known patriots such as: Mihal Gremeno, Bahri Omari, Hiqmet Delvina, Kol Tromara, Ibrahim Shyti, etc., sent some open public letters to Esat Pasha Toptan, where they called on him to give up the betrayal he was doing to Albania and the government of Vlora!
“The name of Esad Pasha Toptan is known to our Albania – as he knows it, it is not our job to say it here. Even outside Albania, the name of Esad Pasha became quite famous when the fierce and unforgettable fighting in Tarabosh, Bërdicë and Bardhanjoll, made the world remember the bravery of those who have defended Shkodra more times in the past. When she took on the role of Mr. Esad Pasha, that is, when Shkodra was given into the hands of the Montenegrins who had surrounded her, then the name of her protector went a little dark, in oblivion, as you once found it before. Hamja, (hunger, our note), they say, forced the brave Assad to leave the city just when the Serbs, the largest part of the army that had circled (surrounded, our note), Shkodra, were getting ready for the road, then when the international fleet arrived in the waters of Montenegro to implement the decision of the London Conference to expel Shkodra. Shkodra fell: the last hope of Albanian bravery was lost; the thing that could hold the sedra of Albania on its feet disappeared. Upon leaving Shkodra with the unstinting honors of the Montenegrins, as a brave opponent deserved, Mr. Esad Pashaj himself in Tirana, where you are in Serbia “. This is what the newspaper “Përlindja e Shqypnis” published in Vlora, in one of its September 1913 issues, wrote about Esat Pasha Toptan, who was then appointed by the Prime Minister Ismail Qemali, to the post of Minister of Works. of Internal Affairs of the government of Vlora that was formed after the declaration of independence of Albania on November 28, 1912. For more about this article where its author has signed under the name Met Fiso, as well as some other articles published at that time by some well-known names, prominent patriots, such as: Mihal Gremeno, Bahri Omari, Hiqmet Delvina, Kol Tromara, Ibrahim Shyti, etc., who publicly attacked Esat Pasha Toptan in the press, the article in question that Memorie.al published by last number.
Continued from the previous issue
“Math rally in Vlona, against the Tirana Click”
The anti-national activity of Esad Pasha Toptan and his political-military movements in the opposite direction to what he was pursuing the government of Vlora, aroused great indignation not only among many well-known Albanian patriots of that time who sent some letters to Pasha Toptan open to the public through the press, but also to many young Albanians. Some of them organized a series of rallies in the city of Vlora, where, among others, spoke some well-known patriots such as: Mihal Gremeno, Mustafa Hilmi and Jani Minga, who condemned the anti-national activity of Esad Pasha and his supporters in Tirana. Regarding this rally, among others, in the newspaper “Përlindja e Shqipniës” of September 1913, it is written:
“Yesterday at 10 o’clock a math rally was held in Muradije, which was organized by a committee. The purpose of the rally was to protest against the Tirana Clique which has the shamelessness to bring turmoil today when Albania is in a difficult day. So, I ran to this rally, which showed very nicely the wishes of the Albanian nation that will never accept the anti-patriotic thoughts of some people who want the loss of Albania. The first word was given by Mr. Ibrahim, a villager from Vlora, who showed the beginning of the proclamation of self-government to Albania, says that some black clouds have been raised in Durrës and Tirana, by some bad people to disturb the peace of Albania. These people said they want the capital Durrës to be changed, the cabinet to be changed, forming a new Esad Pasha and to ask the Prince to come an hour ago, he is saying that these searches (request, our note), cannot be fulfilled never since the capital will be chosen later, as the International Commission comes and the Government cannot be changed without the arrival of the Prince, since the current Government has been elected by the nation and the nation has full confidence until Albania is organized. The people unite shouting long live the Government! Down with the treacherous clique of Durrës! After Mr. Ibrahim, Mihal Gramenoja spoke, who says that only the Albanian heart cannot have the clique of Tirana, which tries to confuse the country with anti-patriotic goals. Such people are the enemies of the nation, which are foreigners, because other people cannot ask for things without reason, when today Albania is in danger and is violated by enemies. Even to try the foreign language, he says that this clique works under the order of the Despot of Durrës, who is a Greek and does not want only the good of Albania. He concludes by saying that the days when adventurers and liars were swearing at the people, that today the people woke up and will protect the homeland from any danger and from any traitor, therefore calls for unity, that the people are the hope and pillar of a nation, and not two or three wicked people who with the title want to reign and disturb the peace. After Mr. Grameno takes the floor Jan Minga, who with a patriotic and warm word addresses the people saying: “People, those who have left you poor, wake up. Awaken people from sleep, that those wicked people seek and then sell the skin in the market. Unite around the sacred flag and swear that you will die for this flag, which after 500 years was raised with so much trouble and so much danger. Protest against those traitors who have never had compassion for the homeland but instead trampled on it. Today, when Albania is in danger, we must be ready to give our souls and help the Government, to save the homeland! Let us all shout with these words that we are ready when the Government orders us. After Mr. Minga, Mr. Mustafa Hilmi took the floor, who with an oratorical talent counts the evil intentions that the traitors of Durrës want. Not the love of the homeland but the evil led the clique of Tirana to make trouble to fill its evil intentions, but today the nation does not become a tool of some traitors and bloodthirsty! I am not a member of today’s Government, he says, I may be against, but not today when Albania is in danger and half violated, but when the beautiful day comes for Albania to be regulated, then we can ask for a change of cabinet. He is called a traitor, who today does not come today to fly the holy flag and help the Government to save the homeland, he calls for unity against traitors and bloodsuckers. Everyone shouts long live the Government, down with the traitors! As soon as the words were over, the commission was given permission to inform the whole of Albania, for unification against any danger, even by singing “Flag near united”, they were divided in peace.
That day so longed for and desired by Albanians, to see the dream come true, came, that Albania was liberated and soon will be counted State, but where are the Albanians? Where are those Gentlemen who were burned and scorched for the freedom of Albania? Where are all those who could not show patriotism and help poor Albania for fear of the Turkish government? Today they no longer have to cry on the one hand that the day has come to show patriotism without any hindrance and fear? Today is the day for any Albanian to show his patriotism, helping poor Albania, who with his mind, who with knowledge, who with money, and who with power, who the homeland will need to help him. But alas, there are no Albanians! That day came to reveal to us the fabric and to show us naked as we are, to show us that we have never had pity for the homeland and it was all useless words! The truth is, let them not look bitter and sour. Time has told us all, so we have nothing to be ashamed of. But when we say that there are no Albanians, we do not mention the small minority that is in exile, we cannot forget the desert oping (meaning patriotic peasantry, our note), who just woke up, and we cannot deny them few patriots who try and want to work. It is the word of the majority and for those who can serve and help the homeland, but not only do they not want it, but on the contrary, they try to eradicate it from the face of the earth! Even such people do not even blush when they say that they want the good of Albania. When Europe was created and liberated by Albania today, they are shown like this, but if they were to release it themselves, by shedding blood, what demands (request, our note) could they have? No doubt you will not even be able to open your mouth to say something that awaits you in black! Then, in words, Albania should be a fiefdom of their Lord and they should use it as they please! For example, we will take two transcripts that were sent to the Government of Vlora, from Tirana, and Durrës, in one word to make Esat Pasha a dictator! This is where the patriotic Albanians, maybe ardent, who do not sleep day and night for the good of Albania, have gathered! Well, Gentlemen, how is it that you do not grieve over your pursuits? Why not think a little that your intentions and deeds are anti-patriotic, harming the homeland? Do not think that I am a member of the Government of Vlora, but I am a member of the truth and as a patriot I will protect Albania. Any patriotic Albanian will support the Government of Vlora and will honor it, since it works for the good of Albania.
Mihal Grameno: Esat, have time to give up betrayal
In his open letter sent to Esat Pasha Toptan, which at that time was published by the newspaper “Përlindja e Shqipniës”, under the title “Kini time”, the famous patriot, Mihal Grameno, wrote: “Pasha, when all of Albania was trampled by the enemies of the mother nation. Albanians did not lose hope and courage not to humiliate those who trampled on the homeland without any opposition. We owe this also to the Albanian fighters of Shkodra, who fought and fought to the pound manfully under the command of your Lord. You do not know Pasha with how much joy, with how much heart and with how many prayers in heaven, they prayed to the great God for you and for the soldiers you commanded. For every Albanian you had the only hope for the nation, so they believed that Shkodra was the only one where an Albania had to live, or was doomed to die. So happy you proved that Albania must live. You fought Pasha with the dragons of Albania, you defeated your enemies and you honored your nation, you honored Albania and you honored the name of Skanderbeg! The greatest reward for a warrior can neither be done nor has it ever been done! Indeed, Albania could not crown them with the golden crown, because it was violated by the enemies, but it kept that crown and, when that happy day came, it would crown them properly, saying all over Albania, who is Esat Pashë Toptani! By the way, I tremble with shame and I will tremble all the sons of Albania afterwards, if it is true that you seek to trample on the great gains that you can win in the war. All Albanians tremble and will tremble when they really learn that Esad Pasha, after this great honor, proved to be the enemy of Albania, wanting its defeat. Think Pasha is useless. We will not remind you of the unspoken mistakes, but of the past, we will remind you of how many mistakes you make today, when Albania is not limited to you and is in the greatest danger, seeking to bring quarrels and divisions. Albania was appointed Minister of Interior, although he was a former sister, he did not accept it in honor of bravery, staying away from the political war, but your Excellency, after many twists and turns, accepted it and took the reins in his hand. All of Albania rejoiced, believing that even the Albanian presidents know how to raise their hand, in the face of the danger of the homeland, and that every cloud cannot cloud the sky. The Albanians believed that Esad Pasha Toptani is the son of Albania and the real one, that is, the cousin of Refik bey and Mazar bey and Abdi bey Toptani, but alas he was lied to or lied to! He trampled on all those honors, which are not earned even with half of this world! By the way, Albania can never forget the services and honors I gave you, if you will regret the crooked path they were shot at, therefore, the honor of your Lord, requires you to stay where the nation honored you, that alienate will be ashamed! Do not listen Pasha selfish and liars, do not listen to the enemies of the nation, you are listening to the voice of the homeland that is in danger! Your honor Pasha, requires this so as not to shame your name and chimney! By the way, you know very well that Albania will definitely become, if I do not give you a reason to promote the name! Albania Pasha will be made for all Albanians, Christians and Muslims, and I know very well that it does not become a small Turkey, so it is your duty to show others that they must become Albanians and love Albania, and not as her enemy showed. The friends around them would have, for example, if they stood against the enemies, the Serbs and the Greeks, who shamed us and beat us like donkeys, but unfortunately that bravery, not to mention the devil, they use for their own nation! Do not listen to those who never thought for the good of the homeland, but only for themselves, for they do not know what a homeland is! Finish Pasha, praying to repent while you have time!
Vlora Mihal Grameno
Letter from a group of young patriots gathered in Vlora: “Esat, do not disturb the peace of Albania”
In addition to the open letter sent by the famous patriot, Mihal Gremeno, to the address of Pasha Toptanas, several other letters were sent signed by various groups of patriots. One of them was that of a group of young patriots from the city of Vlora, which reads:
Esad Pasha in Durrës.
We, the young Albanians who have been students in different universities, with a voice that comes from the deep soul if we say: We are Albanians with feelings, do you want the revival of the nation and the holy homeland that with a land of hardship can remain as a fist, if you do not want to be lost forever, from the path you have taken to exile. The Government of Vlora, even if it has made some mistakes, without any significance, today, at this time when the borders of Albania are being divided, you should not object by taking the opposing flag and disturb the peace which, Albania, can throw in the worst danger. A patriotic Albanian cannot have this courage except those who want special profits. So, we, the youth who have gathered here in Vlora to ensure the protection and progress of the nation, do not accept this path of yours, we are protesting with flesh and blood, and those who dare to bring such quarrels, in this dangerous time, giving them the traitorous name of the nation, we curse for life.
Haki Glina, Hiqmet Sali Delvina, Ymer Lytfi, Demir Selenica, Bahri Ommar, Bajram Iljaz, Azmi, Ali, Mihal Cami, Kol Tromara, Thodhor Koti, Leonidha Frashëri, Vasil Pepo-Korça, Thoma Berati, Agostin Vangjel, Ismet, Ibrahim Shyti Vlora, Musa Qazim, Qemal Kolonja, Ibrahim Naxhi Skopje, Hasan, Mustafa, Fuat Preveza, Xhevad Janina, Hysamedin Janina./Memorie.al
