Dashnor Kaloçi
Memorie.al publishes the unknown story of 1917 when the Albanian nobility and some of its politicians selected from all the prefectures of the country went to Vienna to attend the homage to the tomb of the Emperor of Austria-Hungary, Franz Joseph, ( old man), who passed away in November 1916, 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 was at the forefront with hundreds of thousands of its soldiers. How was the visit of the Albanian delegation in Vienna reflected by the Albanian student newspaper “Vëllazënija” published in Austria, starting from the names of the delegates and the Albanian parish for each prefecture of the country, arrival in Vienna and reception at the imperial palace, speech of Welcome by General Trollomann, Commander-in-Chief of the Austro-Hungarian Troops in Albania, visit to the Imperial Palace of Charles I at Radetzky’s Apartment, where he was received by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Graf Czernini, and the Vicar of the Imperial House, Von Nep Grand Camberlan Graf Berchtoldi, reception by the Mayor of Vienna, Dr. Weiskirchner, the audience from Archduke Max n’Augartenpalais, where Emperor Prince Charles I accompanied by Graf Csechi and Graf Consolati, greeted distant friends for their visit, the gift of Xhelal bey Toptan to the three-year-old Archduke Adeljade farewell where Hasan bey Prishtina and Monsignor Nikoll Kaçorri spoke, as well as the visit of the Albanian delegation to the Albanian student dormitory in Vienna which was financed by the Austrian Ministry of Trade.
A full 105 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 was at the forefront with hundreds of 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 friend great of them, but also as the most loyal defender of Albania, where they had hung all hopes. All these, among others, at that time were reflected in detail by the newspaper “Vëllazënija”, 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, Memorie.al has selected for publication some parts of its articles, which follow from November 1916, when Emperor Franz Joseph died, until April 1917, when the Albanian delegation went to pay homage in 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. While in the first part of this article, published before some issues, we got acquainted with the echo that had in the Albanian press the death of the Emperor of Austria-Hungary, Franz Josef, as well as the funeral ceremonies held in Vienna in December 1916, in Today we publish the visit of the Albanian delegation to the capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, in April 1917, and the magnificent reception given to him by the highest authorities of that country.
“Vëllazënija” newspaper: The words of Your Majesty the Emperor and King Karl to the Albanian deputation
Both Her Majesty the Empress and I especially enjoyed the thanks and assurances of thanksgiving of the Albanian people. From that time, when My troops fought manfully alongside the brave sons of Albania, a well-regulated administration fully envisions the religions, tribes, language, national values and ancient rights of the Albanian people. I am following with a very lively interest these works of yours without seeing before me today the representatives of the cities and tribes of Shqypnia, under the ambush of the Commander of my army, which is located in Shqypnia, I am glad to see you in these cases one a pleasant sign of that complete agreement, which reigns among the Albanian people. I am reassuring the nation of my kindness, as well as My simple wishes for the development of the river of the future, and with God’s help, when there is peace among the peoples, I will take care of it even after Today, for the Albanian nation, you defended it and they gave me my help, so that the nation could once have self-government. God bless Shqypnia!
The speech of the Albanian deputation before Your Majesty
On behalf of the Albanian deputation, the highest Commander in Albania, General Trollmanni, delivered the following speech before Your Majesty: “Your Majesty! Qëmoti, but especially these last five years, in which the Albanian nation suffered more than ever, Shqypënija has brought its eyes to the powerful Austro-Hungarian Monarchy, from which it can only expect salvation. Thanks to the vital Habsburg Dynasty, the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy always brings its wishes to the Albanian people in the country. After the paternal kindness and after the ancient sympathy, which the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy had for the Albanians, God always duel, that Shqypnija was in danger. No other country in Europe has cared so much for the protection of the rights of the Albanian nation, as well as its national debauchery, as the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy – and as all Albanians know – the aim and aspirations of the Monarchy are to unite the Albanian nation in a great and common homeland. With good advice I always help the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy Albanians, qio joined even more tribe by tribe to be able once to have a smooth path of progress and civilization to become a valuable member of the family of the peoples of Europe. It was clearly seen that the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy was a true protector of the entire Albanian nationality and therefore provided Vedit with that simple thanks of all Albanians. At the time when the Balkan war broke out and the treacherous powers were released to leave Albania as if it were their booty, only the Austro-Hungarian monarchy here then that qi, without sparing any thread, took the fairy against those who wanted to divide the Albanian nation and did not let the name of Albania disappear forever from the cards. Albania was again in such danger when this war broke out, which is the most terrible of all. But now there are the bodies of His Majesty, who with great effort cleansed Albania from the enemy and how we hope and are saved forever. From that day on, the Albanian people are doing well with the imperial and royal troops that are in Albania. With thousands of Albanians, I am fighting together on the border of my country with the brave soldiers of Your Majesty, who did not try together to achieve the goal we have. In the name of the Albanian nation, which was saved and is being defended by Austria-Hungary, today we had the great fortune to appear before His Majesty, to present to me the tribute of the unforgettable thanksgiving, which the Albanian nation had, which has the same autumn sensations of Prussia, which the peoples of His Majesty have, and therefore we are taking leave to present to the Apostolic Majesty the wishes of all the Albanian people. On behalf of the cities and tribes of Albania, who have sent, are honoring Your Majesty and with thanksgiving in our hearts we are crying: Long live Your Apostolic Imperial and Royal Majesty, Emperor of Austria and Apostolic King of Hungary Charles. Emperor Charles I! King Charles IV.! May God promise, that His mighty Monarchy, and all Your people, may reap the fruits of the gains in peace, and that He may make His bodies prosperous! May God promise that even the Albanian nation will take part in the fruits, and that you will always be under the protection of the paternal hand of the Apostolic Greatness, that I will see you tomorrow after a lucky day “.
Historical days for Shqypën
We saw historic days we saw big days of unparalleled importance! Representatives of the cities and tribes of Albania gathered these days in Vienna to present to Your Majesty the Emperor and King Charles, the honor of the Albanian people. The agreements of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy with the Arbnuer people are very ancient and cordial, so that the great Habsburg Dynasty always showed a native kindness to the Albanian nation and found its help and need in its qi. On the day that the representatives of Albania left for Vienna to appear before Your Majesty, I go to the place of an ancient love, which their fathers had long ago; due m.th. Honor the mighty Emperor and King who has in himself the hope of a fortunate future. The Albanian people know very well why they have placed all their hopes in the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy, which is hosting the famous Habsburg Dynasty. With a powerful hand, the Monarchy always defended Shqypnmia from the nails of the enemy, until I rescued him. The Austro-Hungarian Monarchy always tried with good advice, we united the Albanians among the Vedas with the aim of advancing and civilizing the Albanian people. For this reason, here is the great joy of the representatives of the atbnuer people when they set out together for Vienna; What they saw and felt in the capital of the Monarchy will never be forgotten, and their sons and grandsons will once again mention the historical event of last week. The members of the Albanian deputation really saw big and beautiful things in Vienna these days; but alas, the time here is too short to see all the beauties of the Austrian capital, as well as the crafts and riches of the country. Despite all this, the Albanian guests can see what a high level of civilization Austria has reached, and how great its military and economic power is, and from those things, whether they see it or not, they can understand how great it is. and how powerful is their protector. The Albanian deputies waited everywhere with all their hearts, it seemed to them who was dueling in front of them, as ministers, as generals and as other people, and they looked at themselves clearly, how they were received with love and with all their hearts, as if they were old lovers.; and not only of the country, but also the people and the soldiers greet the Albanians everywhere. But the representatives of Albania had the greatest impression when they duel before the Emperor of the Emperor and the Empress. We had the opportunity to speak with many members of the delegation over the impressions of the audience and you are all amazed; we will never forget these words that a Bajraktar of Malësia told us: “From the Majesty of Tyne a light duels, that blesses us and until the day of the blanket we will never forget that fortunate hour that the Emperor and the King “Karl was punished for shaking our hand.” In response, the Emperor informed the deputy of his intentions and those of the government, how he assured the Albanian nation that he had to protect and take care of it. How much the hearts of the Albanians overflow with unparalleled amusement when the Emperor ends his speech with these words: “God bless Albania!” Then yes, everyone understood that this clock was of great importance for the future of the Albanian nation. The Vienna festivities ended with the reception of General Trollmann, the representatives of Albania returned to their homes and received great impressions. Now everyone is back in their own work for Shqypëni, today we need harder work than ever. The unforgettable words of the Emperor and King Charles, are written deep in the hearts of the Albanians, because they pave the way for what the Albanian nation will take in the future and only unification can make the people happy. The delegates of the Arbnuer people heard from the mouth of Your Majesty, that He will always protect them. May God promise that the defeat of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy and its Emperor, together with the substantial work of the Albanian people, will make Arben a blessed place!
Members of the Deputation
Under the auspices of Your Excellency General Trollmann, the highest Commander in Albania, the following Albanians took part in the deputation of honor:
“The deputy was composed of these members; The city of Shkodra had sent representatives to the following gentlemen: Musa Juka, chairman of the parlimtar, Kol Ujka and Hasan Efendi Bekteshi.
For Malci: Vat Marashi, bayraktar of Shkreli, Gjelosh Gjoka, voivode of Kastrati and Abdi Kola, bayraktar of Shala.
For Postribje: Hasan Ahmeti, voivode.
For Wool: Mano Bej Mehmet, B. and Dedë Cokun.
For Zadrima: Llesh Milotin.
For Puka and Mirdita: Captain Ndue Gjoni from Orosh, Zef Ndoci voivode of Spaç and Zejnel Aga voivode of Iballje.
For Krue: Muharrem Pengili, naib-mufti.
For Mat: Ahmet bej Zogolli.
For Tirana: Musa Maçi and Xhelal bej Topëtanin.
For Durrës: Izedin Beshiri, chairman of Emmot Nikoll’s monument
Kaçorri as a member of the Archbishop of Durrës.
For Kavaja: Qazim Bey, chairman of the Shalivar Bey parliament.
For Elbasan: Irfan Bej and Lef Nosin.
For Berat and Skrapar: Sami Bej Vrioni, Mehmed Esad and Demitër Lavda.
For Lushnje: Ahmet Bej Resuli and Emin Vokopola.
For Fieri: Kahreman Bej Vrioni.
For Xhuri and Peshkopij: Elez Jusufin, tribal chief, and Salih Spahina, deputy prefect of Luma.
For Krasiniqe: Hysni Bej Curri, deputy prefect of Bunja and Salih Mani for Bunje.
For Kosovo: Hasan Bej Prishtina.
The Albanian deputy was accompanied by the following officers: Oberstleutnant General Myrdacz, Captain General Stojakovic, Captain Ëimmer, Oberleutnant Holzpach, self-proclaimed aide, and Leumant Micie.
Audience to the Emperor and Empress
The Emperor and the Empress received the Albanian deputy after lunch with great pomp in the audience, and this day is the most beautiful of all the others. At 3 o’clock the deputy arrived with 15 cars in front of the Emperor’s palace. Where the Albanians appeared, the people greeted them wholeheartedly. The deputy gathered at Radetzky’s Apartment, where he was received by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Graf Czernini, and the Cerimonjeri of the Imperial House Von Nepalez. General Trollmanni had the deputy and with him the accompanying officers, Professor Dr. Pekmezi and Professor Rotta. From there, the Albanian deputy duels in the waiting room; on the streets of the palace was lined on both sides the western gendarmerie and the guardian of Madhnis e Ti wears uniforms for beauty. Foreign Minister Graf Czernini and the great Camberlan Graf Berchtoldi also attended the hearing. The audience climbed three-quarters of the way. The emperor and the empress shook hands with all the Albanian delegates and I talked to them about the needs of the country. The heartfelt way in which the Emperor and the Empress received the Albanian deputation has made a great impression, so much so that it is impossible to tell. Pjestërt find no words to praise the anointing of Their Majesty and have a river clock, in which they had the good fortune to see the benefactor and Protector of Albania, they will never forget it. Waiting at the Vienna Parliament Following the invitation of the President of the Vienna Parliament, Dr. Weiskirchner, the Albanian delegates, went from foreign minister to parliamentarian. There he was greeted by His Excellency Dr. Iskeiskkirchner General Trollamannin as the aforementioned guest of Lovce and was very happy to see the representatives of the Albanian people. In his speech, he mentioned the president of the parliament, Skanderbeg, and the beautiful songs, sung by the Albanian people over bravery, and at the end, I wish Albania progress in the city and economy. General Trollomanni apologizes to the President of the Parliament for receiving the beloved, who brought Vienna to the Albanian deputy, who came to honor the Emperor and finally said that the Albanians are lucky to have seen Vienna and I finished talking to its own dishrye the beautiful capital of Austria auspicious development. Deputacjoni duel then saw the waiting room, the beauty of which you make a great impression. In another room, the deputy was received with black coffee and tobacco, as if in memory of Vienna, each of them had a beautiful album with a strong view of Vienna.
Audience to Archduke Max
At 3 and 1/3 after lunch, the deputy waited in the auditorium at Archduke Max in Augartenpalais. The emperor, accompanied by Graf Csechi and Graf Consolati, cordially greeted the distant friends for their visit. After General Trollmann’s words, Archduke Max addressed the Albanian delegation with these words: “Your Excellency! We are very honored, sir! I am thanking you from the bottom of my heart for these greetings so dearly, that you made me through the mouth of Your Excellency, Your Commander-in-Chief. It is a special joy for me to meet you here in Vienna after a beautiful journey that I made through Shqypni, in that place of yours that is very beautiful. I will never forget the beautiful impressions and the warm and cordial expectations that I summarized there. You have to be right that I have always had the hottest care for the wishes and needs of Shqypnis and the beloved Albanians. I am finally assuring you that I always show my tireless interest in the development and progress of your beloved country, which I am asking you to greet on my behalf. Then Arqiduka spoke with many members of the deputation he knew from Shqypnije and asked them about the progress that Shqypnia is making now. After Arqiduka talked for a long time with the deputy, he duels twice in the photo with the Albanians, who remain very pleased with the cordial guests, who live in Arqiduka. From Archduke I go to the emperor’s Grand Camberlan, Graf Berchtold. Even there, this friend of Shqypnia had a very good reception from the Albanians. Last night, the Albanian MP went to the Western Opera, where he was given “Fidelio” by Beethoven, which you all liked. And with dinner qi was eaten together at the hotel “Erzherzog”, this day is over.
To celebrate the evening on April 20, the Albanian MP gathered to spend the evening in one of the first hotels in Vienna, in the hotel “Meissl & Schadn” to have dinner together. The bakery and the table were decorated with flowers of all kinds and on the faces of everyone was clearly seen joy and satisfaction. After dinner was over, General Trollmanni stood up and delivered this speech: ‘onë qi had as its first purpose the veneration of Your Majesty the Emperor and King. “I hope that all members will be happy with what they have received from you here in Vienna.” General Trollmannni then apologizes to the delegates for the kindness and care they took to end this trip without any bad case. In the end he said that your former task was to see Shqypni go, to be happy and to be satisfied; therefore he begs all the locals to support him with this difficult task and I forgive the Albanians for wanting to show themselves and assured them that now the Albanians had ashes and stronger in your heart brought the most knowledge above said: “Long live the future time of the Albanian people; long live Shqypënija ”. Then Hasan Bey Prishtina closed with this speech: “Excellence; Yes, please, this fish is a sign of the love we have for you. In Your Excellency I see not only the true friend of Albania, our president, but also the warrior of fate who leads the imperial army and enters as a winner in Albania to save our people from the clutches of the enemy. To be sure, Excellency, that the Albanian people are always with you for honor and that your name is written in golden words in the history of Albania “. Emzot Kaçorri then said in his speech: “Your Majesty the Emperor and Archduke Max, ministers, diplomats, the mayor of Vienna, and how many great people with cordial hospitality have decorated our days in This is a beautiful city and General Trollmanni took care of us these days as a friend and as a father and we are giving him our word that we can help him with all our strength, valuable work that he is doing for the good of Albania. We are thankful to all of you who showed us all this kindness, but especially to Your Majesty the Emperor, King Karl, and we are promising that today we will work together. Thank you and honors to our commander for all that I wanted to tell about the Albanian people and for all the good things he has done to Albania so far. Long live General Trollmanni!” All together they shout loudly; Long live General Trollmanni! It was almost midnight when the company left, a part of the Albanian delegates got into the cars and had a duel at the station, got in their wagon to return their dirty lead and the train was put on the road, Britain and everyone at the same time nji zani; Long live Shqypnija, Long live Austria. The second party of the Albanian deputy left Vienna with General Trollmann on Sunday evening, April 22nd. Many friends had come to the station to bake once again with the Albanians and wish you a good journey. The beautiful days spent by the Albanian deputies in Vienna are unforgettable not only for the Albanians, but also for their friends.
A gift for the Empress from Xhelal bej Toptani
A gift of the Albanians for the Archduke Adeljade.
In the audience of the Albanian deputy before the Emperor and the Empress, Xhelal Bey Toptani begged the Emperor, who kindly gave him permission to present to the Empress an Albanian garment to work by hand for the three-year-old Archduke Adelaide. We made the small garment with the fabric of Shqynia, presented to the Empress by an Albanian selfish lover. Both the Emperor and the Empress. Remain very pleased for the beautiful gift and you especially liked the beautiful work and craftsmanship with which the former onion aj petk.
Last visit to the Albanian student dormitory
On the last day of his visit to Vienna, the Albanian delegation went to see up close and talk to Albanian students in their dormitory which was funded by the Austrian Ministry of Trade. During that visit, on behalf of the Minister, the Albanian delegation was greeted by Hofrat Dr. Karl Simeon and the director of the dormitory, Dr. Robert Von Kler. After that, the members of the delegation talked for a few minutes with the Albanian students, who first learned German there, and then continued their higher studies in various fields. At the end of that meeting, the Albanian students express their joy that they saw so many of their compatriots from their beloved Albania. This meeting marked the end of the visits of the Albanian delegation in Vienna. In the late hours of that night, while the Albanian delegation was having dinner at the Erzherzog Karl Hotel, some Albanian students studying in Vienna went there and met General Trollmann, talking to him about the problems of their education. At the end of that conversation, he suggested to the Albanian students to attend agricultural schools, because in the future agriculture would be of great importance for Albania “. /Memorie.al
