Autonomous Province of Korçë

The Autonomous Province of Korçë (Albanian: Krahina Autonome e Korçës), sometimes referred to as Republic of Korçë (French: République de Koritza), was an autonomous legal entity established in 27/10 December 1916, by the local French forces after the city of Korçë fell under their control during World War I, and which lasted until 1920.[3][4]

Autonomous Province of Korçë
Krahina Autonome e Korçës (Albanian)
1916–1920
Flag of
Flag
Albania after its fragmentation in 1916[1]
Albania after its fragmentation in 1916[1]
StatusProtectorate of France
CapitalKorçë
Common languagesAlbanian, French
Government14-member local government
Prefect of Police[2] 
• 1916-1920
Themistokli Gërmenji
Historical eraWorld War I
• Protocol signed
10 December 1916
• French Army depart
15 June 1920
CurrencyKorçë frange
Preceded by
Succeeded by
Principality of Albania
Principality of Albania

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 Province of Korçë under the military protection of the French army and with Themistokli Gërmenji as Prefect of Police.[5][6]

The new authorities introduced Albanian and French as the official language and replaced Greek schools with Albanian ones, which were forbidden during the Greek administration of the city.[7][8] There was also a French school in Korçë and one of its many students, and later teachers, was Enver Hoxha, the future leader of communist Albania.[9][10]

Background edit

The Republic of Korçë was established in 1916 during World War I.[4] 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 29 November 1916.[4] Italy occupied the port of Vlorë and the region of south Principality of Albania in December 1914 and in the autumn 1916.

Northern Epirus question edit

Southern Albania is a region with substantial Albanian (both Muslim and Orthodox), Aromanian and Greek communities. The Greek national view was to classify all Aromanians and Orthodox Albanians as part of the Greek minority.[11] The Great Powers signed the Protocol of Florence and awarded the region to the newly founded Principality of Albania on 17 December 1913. To avert the possibility of Albania taking control of the region as Greek forces were withdrawn, pro-Greek Epirotes decided to declare their own separate political identity.[12]

 
Operation of connecting Italian troops with Allies on Macedonian front in period December 1915 – December 1916

On 28 February 1914 the Autonomous Republic of Northern Epirus[13] was declared in Gjirokastër and a provisional government was formed.[14] The Protocol of Corfu was signed on 17 May 1914, and the Albanian government officially recognized the area of Northern Epirus as an autonomous region within the Albanian state.[15] 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.

Greek military and civil administration edit

 
Troops of the Autonomous Republic of Northern Epirus (Sacred Bands) in Korçë (1914)

On 27 October 1914, after approval from the Great Powers, the Greek army re-entered the area.[16] 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 Venizelos' 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.[17]

Bulgarian occupation of Korçë edit

After the beginning of Bulgaria's engagement in First World War on the side of the Central Powers in autumn 1915, many ethnic Albanians joined the Bulgarians who gave them weapons.[18] The Kingdom of Bulgaria used its army to occupy the eastern part of Albania[19][20] at the beginning of the occupation of Albania.

After the occupation of the eastern parts of Albania, inclusive of the city of Elbasan,[6] on 18 August 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.[21] Bulgaria's objective was to persuade the Albanian leaders to elect Prince Kiril, second son of Ferdinand I of Bulgaria, as their king.[22] 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.[23]

Albanian nationalist movement and the Hapsburg Empire edit

When the Hapsburg forces first advanced into Albania at the tail of the fleeing Serbian forces, they were greeted as liberators, and the Albanian nationalist movement was enthusiastic about their willingness to allow Albanian self government under their wing, and the various Albanian schools they opened across Albania and Kosovo. However, this enthusiasm dimmed after Albanian leaders learned that "assemblies for political purposes were prohibited in districts occupied by Imperial armies", and the disarmament order given by the Austrians was widely resented and even resisted to an extent. As a result, chetas in the area of Korçë led by Themistokli Gërmenji, Mihal Grameno and Sali Butka became interested in other alliances. They would ultimately call for cooperation with the French, because it seemed that the French were inclined to respect what they considered to be Albanian national rights.[24]

French occupation of Korçë edit

 
French military cemetery in Korçë
 
General Maurice Sarrail, commander of the Allied forces on the Macedonian front

French troops entered Korçë on 29 November 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.[25] French troops in Korçë were under General Maurice Sarrail, and under direct command of Colonel Descoins.[26] 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, sacked Moscopole,[27] and threatened that Korçë would suffer the same fate if it did not raise the Albanian flag and surrender to Albanian authorities.[28]

Establishment edit

 
Tonkinese (Vietnamese) Tirailleurs in Korçë, January 1917.

Colonel Descoins made arrangements with the leading Albanian nationalists from Korçë.[6] French officers had a meeting with Themistokli Gërmenji on 24 November 1916.[29][better source needed] Themistokli Gërmenji came to Korçë from Pogradec, which was occupied by the armies of Austria-Hungary and Bulgaria.[30][better source needed] 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.[31]

The commission held a meeting on 10 December at 9 am 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 10 December 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.[32]

Protocol edit

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:[33]

  1. the autonomous province of Korçë is established by this protocol, and refers to the territory of Korçë, Bilishti, Kolonja, Opar and Gora
  2. the kaza Korçë will be governed by the Administrative Council with 14 members, half Christian and half Muslim
  3. appointments to the positions in the kaza will be made by French military authorities, based on the proposal of the administrative council
  4. for maintaining order in the kaza, the prefect of police will be responsible, using newly established gendarmerie and police
  5. 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
  6. for the same purpose there can be established a regular battalion of volunteers
  7. Police, gendarmerie and volunteer troops would be under superior authority of the French officer
  8. the official language is Albanian
  9. 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, a post office system and issued postage stamps.[34][better source needed]

Statute edit

On 27 September 1917 General Maurice Sarrail 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.[35]

Governance edit

 
Themistokli Gërmenji, Albanian nationalist leader and prefect of the Autonomous Republic

Administration edit

On 10 December 1916 Henry Descoins, the commander of the French garrison of Korçë, with the approval of Maurice Sarrail, declared the Autonomous Albanian Republic of Korçë,[36] and appointed Themistokli Gërmenji as prefect.[37] 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.[38]

In the period of March 1917 – February 1918, Qani Dishnica was appointed as the Chairman of the Albanian Administrative Council.[39] On the French side, the delegated governors of the Republic of Korçë were Henri Descoins (10 December 1916 – 11 May 1917), Salle (1917–1919) and Reynard Lespinasse[40] (June 1919 – 26 May 1920).[41]

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.[42]

Education edit

France intended to help in establishing 200 elementary schools on Albanian language, as part of the strategy of Albanian national affirmation.[43] On the other hand, all the Greek schools were forced to close down, while the Greek element of the city was persecuted.[36] The Albanian National Lyceum (French: Le lycée de Korça, Albanian: Liceu Kombëtar i Korçës) 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.[44] 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.[45] The French National Lyceum was the first Albanian high school that was open to the students of all faiths.[46]

Currency edit

 
The currency of the Autonomous Province of Korçë.

The frange (Albanian) or franc (French) was the currency of the Autonomous Albanian Republic of Korçë between 1917 and 1921.[47] 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).

Pogradec edit

In September 1917, General Maurice Sarrail undertook an action against the armies of Austria-Hungary and Bulgaria in Albania, and on 9 September French troops captured Pogradec.[6] Together with the armies of Bulgaria and Austria-Hungary, there were Albanians, led by Hysejn Nikolica, fighting against the French troops.[6] 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.[6] Although the French government considered appointing Essad Pasha Toptani to govern the Pogradec region[6] it remained under French administration.

Military edit

An Albanian rifle regiment was formed, and served as vanguard for the French forces. The French Eastern Army's commander remarked of the First Battalion of Albanian Fusiliers that Cette haute distinction met le bataillon de tirailleurs albanais au niveau des meilleurs régiments français.[24]

Disestablishment and aftermath edit

In November 1917, General Salle reported that the attempt at cooperation between Christians and Muslims had resulted in frequent difficulties.[48] At the end of 1917 Gërmenji was accused of collaboration with the Central Powers and executed in Thessaloniki after being sentenced to death by the French military court.[49]

General Salle removed the already limited autonomy of the Council on 16 February 1918.[50] After the armistices and capitulations 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.[51] As a result, the French army moved from Korçë on 15 June 1920.[52] After the French army left Korçë, the fate of the territory that it administered was decided by the Paris Peace Conference in 1919.

On 12 December 1916 Italy 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.[53] Austria-Hungary used the French precedent in Korçë to justify the proclamation of the independence of Albania under its protectorate on 3 January 1917 in Shkodër. The Kingdom of Italy followed suit when proclaiming the independence of Albania under its protectorate on 23 June 1917 in Gjirokastra.[54]

Because General Maurice Sarrail had demonstrated a tendency to interfere in politics, Prime Minister Georges Clemenceau relieved him of his command in December 1917.[55] 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 remains today in the city.[56]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ Stein, Jonathan P. (2000). The Politics of National Minority Participation in Post-Communist Europe: State-Building, Democracy, and Ethnic Mobilization. M.E. Sharpe. p. 171. ISBN 9780765605283. Retrieved 26 June 2012.
  2. ^ Jaume Ollé (July 15, 1996). "Republic of Korçë (1917–1918)". Archived from the original on November 24, 2011. Retrieved January 12, 2011. Themistokli Gërmenji was the head of executive power with the title of Prefect of Police.
  3. ^ "103 vjet nga themelimi i "Krahinës Autonome të Korçës"". Retrieved 10 December 2019.
  4. ^ a b c Hötte 2017, p. 11.
  5. ^ Schmidt-Neke, Michael (1987). Enstehung und Ausbau der Königsdiktatur in Albanien, 1912–1939. Oldenbourg Wissenschaftsverlag. p. 43. ISBN 978-3-486-54321-6. Retrieved November 8, 2010.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g Pearson, Owen (2004). Albania and King Zog: independence, republic and monarchy 1908–1939. I.B.Tauris. p. 103. ISBN 978-1-84511-013-0. Retrieved November 4, 2010.
  7. ^ Pearson, Owen (February 2, 2006). Albania in the Twentieth Century, A History: Volume I: Albania and King Zog, 1908–39. I.B.Tauris. p. 103. ISBN 978-1-84511-013-0. Retrieved January 16, 2011.
  8. ^ Vickers, Miranda (2006) [1995]. "The Reign of Prince Wied". The Albanians: a modern history. London: I.B. Tauris. p. 90. ISBN 1-86064-541-0. Retrieved January 11, 2011. Albanian became the official language and Albanian schools replaced Greek ones
  9. ^ Jaume Ollé (July 15, 1996). "Republic of Korçë (1917–1918)". Archived from the original on November 24, 2011. Retrieved January 12, 2011. Its most famous student, and later French teacher, was Enver Hoxha
  10. ^ "Liceu Francez i Korçës" [French High School in Korçë] (in Albanian). Korçë: Bashkia Korçë. 2010. Archived from the original on September 5, 2011. Retrieved January 14, 2011. Nxënës (1927–1930) dhe mësues (1937–1939) i këtij liceu ka qenë edhe Enver Hoxha. / Apprentice (1927–1930) and teacher (1937–1939) of the Lyceum was the Enver Hoxha.
  11. ^ Schwandner-Sievers, Stephanie (March 1999). "The Albanian Aromanians´ Awakening: Identity Politics and Conflicts in Post-Communist Albania". Schiffbruecke 12 (Kompagnietor Building) D-24939 Flensburg, Germany: EUROPEAN CENTRE FOR MINORITY ISSUES (ECMI). p. 3. Archived from the original on May 11, 2011. Retrieved January 13, 2011. In the national Greek view, ... Religion, as a criterion of classification, automatically places all the Albanian Aromanians, and also those people who call themselves Albanian Orthodox, into the „Greek minority."{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
  12. ^ Kondis 1976: 124
  13. ^ in Greek the term autonomos has a dual meaning, it can mean either independent or autonomous.
  14. ^ Kondis 1976: p. 93
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  17. ^ Stickney 1924: 57–63
  18. ^ Bataković, Dušan (1992). "Albanian Incursions into Serbia". In Ivan Čolović (ed.). The Kosovo Chronicles. Belgrade: Knjižara Plato. ISBN 86-447-0006-5. Retrieved January 8, 2011. The beginning of the German – Austro-Hungarian offensive against Serbia in autumn 1915, Bulgaria's engagement in war on the side of the Central Powers and its attack on Serbia, ... Masses of ethnic Albanians recruited into the Serbian army became deserters, and many joined the Bulgarians who gave them arms...Essad Pasha ... fought ... against Albanian companies that joined Austro-Hungarian and Bulgarian troops.
  19. ^ Zogu, Ahmed. "King Zog Tells his Story to Herman Bernstein, former United States Minister to Albania". New York: YIVO Institute for Jewish Research. Archived from the original on July 17, 2011. Retrieved January 11, 2011. while South Albania was being oppressed by the Greeks, Valona by the Italians, the east by the Bulgarians, and the rest of the country by the Austrians.
  20. ^ Vickers, Miranda (2006) [1995]. "The Reign of Prince Wied". The Albanians: a modern history. London: I.B. Tauris. p. 88. ISBN 1-86064-541-0. Retrieved January 11, 2011. Bulgarians were pushing into Albania from the East.
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  22. ^ "The Times history of the war" (txt). The Times. London. p. 2-2. Retrieved January 11, 2011. About this time they seem to have been coquetting with the idea of persuading certain of the Albanian leaders to elect Prince Cyril, second son of Tsar Ferdinand, Mbret of Albania.
  23. ^ "The Times history of the war" (txt). The Times. London. p. 85. Retrieved January 11, 2011. This growing threat to the Bulgarians from the west was an important and essential preliminary to the abandonment of Monastir.
  24. ^ a b Zavalani, Tajar (2015). Elsie, Robert; Destani, Bejtullah (eds.). History of Albania. Centre for Albanian Studies. pp. 160–161. ISBN 978-1507595671.
  25. ^ "The Times history of the war" (txt). The Times. London. p. 85. Retrieved January 11, 2011. During the next three weeks ... October 25 ...., about the same time, the French occupied Koritsa.
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  29. ^ Jacques, Edwin E. (1995), The Albanians: an ethnic history from prehistoric times to the present, McFarland & Co., p. 363, ISBN 978-0-89950-932-7, On 24 November Germenji went to Korcha to confer with the French
  30. ^ Jacques, Edwin E. (1995), The Albanians: an ethnic history from prehistoric times to the present, McFarland & Co., p. 363, ISBN 978-0-89950-932-7, in October 1916 he went to Pogradec, the territory occupied by Austrians and Bulgarians
  31. ^ Sharxhi, Dergoi Mirel (December 5, 2008). "92 vjet më parë 10 Dhjetor 1916–2008 – KRAHINA "AUTONOME" E KORÇËS". kosova.albemigrant. Archived from the original on July 7, 2011. Retrieved January 14, 2011. Në këtë komision, që mori përsipër barrën e kujdesjes për vendin dhe u paraqit përpara kolonelit, bënin pjesë: 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 dhe Haki Shemshedini.
  32. ^ Sharxhi, Dergoi Mirel (December 5, 2008). "92 vjet më parë 10 Dhjetor 1916–2008 – KRAHINA "AUTONOME" E KORÇËS" (in Albanian). kosova.albemigrant. Archived from the original on July 7, 2011. Retrieved January 14, 2011. Haki Mborja i drejtohet komandantit francez e i tregon qëllimin e ardhjes së tyre. Komandanti i priti me buzëqeshje, duke thënë, se duhet bërë protokoll. U bë protokolli. Sipas protokollit të 10 dhjetorit , qyteti i Korcës, Bilishti, Kolonja, Opari dhe Gora, formonin një krahinë "autonome", që do të administrohej nga shqiptarët, nën mbrojtjen e autoriteteve franceze. Krahina do të administrohej nga një këshill administrativ, i përbërë prej katërmbëdhjetë vetash, i cili do të kishte edhe xhandarmëri për të mbajtur rregullin.
  33. ^ Augris, Etienne (December 2000). "Korçë dans la Grande Guerre:Le sud-est albanais sous administration française (1916–1918)" (in French). France: Balkanologie, Vol. IV, n°2. Archived from the original on January 26, 2011. Retrieved January 17, 2011.
  34. ^ Jacques, Edwin E. (1995), The Albanians: an ethnic history from prehistoric times to the present, McFarland & Co., p. 363, ISBN 978-0-89950-932-7, ... seting up the police force and gendarmerie... a post office system and issued stamps and paper money
  35. ^ Popescu, Stefan. "Les français et la république de Kortcha (1916–1920)". Guerres Mondiales et Conflits Contemporains. 213 (1). France: Cairn info: 82. doi:10.3917/gmcc.213.0077. Archived from the original on January 26, 2011. Retrieved January 17, 2011. ... Sarrail avait doté la région d'un nouveau statut qui abrogea le protocole...Son administration est confiée au commandant du Groupement de Malik... est remplacé par un Conseil consultatif, réduit à 12 membres.... La zone d'occupation française sera divisée en deux, au nord et au sud de Devolli : la zone Sud (la République de Kortcha) et la zone Nord (le territoire de Pogradetz)
  36. ^ a b M. V. Sakellariou (1997), Epirus, 4000 years of Greek history and civilization, Greece: Ekdotikē Athēnōn, p. 384, ISBN 978-960-213-371-2, retrieved January 16, 2011, On 10 December 1916, Colonel Henry Decoin, the commander of French garrison, proclaimed with the consent of Serrail – the "Albanian Republic of Korytsa"
  37. ^ Çami, Muin (1999), Shqiptarët dhe francezët në Korçe (1916–1920), Dituria, p. 177, ISBN 978-99927-31-37-6, Shpallje e prefektit të policisë, Themistokli Gërmenjit
  38. ^ N. Petsalīs-Diomidis. Greece at the Paris Peace Conference (1919). Institute for Balkan Studies, 1978, p. 50.
  39. ^ Cahoon, Ben (2000). "Autonomous Korça (Korce) French Occupied Zone". Worldstatesmen web site. Archived from the original on January 7, 2011. Retrieved January 17, 2011. Chairman of the Albanian Administrative Council... Mar 1917 – Feb 1918 ...Qani Dishnica
  40. ^ Pearson, Owen (February 2, 2006). Albania in the Twentieth Century, A History: Volume I: Albania and King Zog, 1908–39. I.B.Tauris. p. 144. ISBN 978-1-84511-013-0. Retrieved January 16, 2011.
  41. ^ Cahoon, Ben (2000). "Autonomous Korça (Korce) French Occupied Zone". Worldstatesmen web site. Archived from the original on January 7, 2011. Retrieved January 17, 2011. Governors-delegate of the Territory of Korça 10 Dec 1916 – 11 May 1917 Henri Descoins; 1917? – 1919? Salle; Jun 1919 – 26 May 1920 .....Reynard Lespinasse
  42. ^ Popescu, Stefan. "Les français et la république de Kortcha (1916–1920)". Guerres Mondiales et Conflits Contemporains (in French). France: Cairn info. doi:10.3917/gmcc.213.0077. Archived from the original on January 26, 2011. Retrieved January 17, 2011. Ce fut le lieutenant de réserve Bargeton... Après son rappel au ministère des Affaires étrangères, vers le milieu du janvier 1917, il sera remplacé par le lieutenant Siegfried
  43. ^ Guillaume, Robert (December 1998). "L'Albanie et la France dans l'entre-deux-guerres : une relation privilégiée ? La présence culturelle française en Albanie, entre mythe et réalité" [Albania and France in the inter-war period: a privileged relationship? The French cultural presence in Albania, between myth and reality] (in French). Balkanologie Revues. Archived from the original on December 29, 2010. Retrieved January 14, 2011. Créé en 1917, durant la Première Guerre mondiale,...il s'inscrit dans une stratégie d'"affirmation nationale" des Albanais par l'établissement de structures proprement albanaises et laïques. Dans ce cadre, les Français contribuent à créer 200 écoles élémentaires albanaises, mais aident surtout à faire naître le premier lycée entièrement albanais ouvert à toutes les confessions.
  44. ^ Guillaume, Robert (December 1998). "L'Albanie et la France dans l'entre-deux-guerres : une relation privilégiée ? La présence culturelle française en Albanie, entre mythe et réalité" [Albania and France in the inter-war period: a privileged relationship? The French cultural presence in Albania, between myth and reality] (in French). Balkanologie Revues. Archived from the original on December 29, 2010. Retrieved January 14, 2011. il affirme que Paris interdit l'ouverture d'un lycée français pour ne pas heurter ses alliés grecs vénizélistes qui revendiquent des droits sur la région.
  45. ^ Guillaume, Robert (December 1998). "L'Albanie et la France dans l'entre-deux-guerres : une relation privilégiée ? La présence culturelle française en Albanie, entre mythe et réalité" [Albania and France in the inter-war period: a privileged relationship? The French cultural presence in Albania, between myth and reality] (in French). Balkanologie Revues. Archived from the original on December 29, 2010. Retrieved January 14, 2011. écrit qu'un professeur de Salonique, Vital Gerson, vint prendre sa direction et celle d'une petite équipe de trois professeurs albanais, à laquelle se joignit un officier français pour donner quelques notions de culture française.
  46. ^ Guillaume, Robert (December 1998). "L'Albanie et la France dans l'entre-deux-guerres : une relation privilégiée ? La présence culturelle française en Albanie, entre mythe et réalité" [Albania and France in the inter-war period: a privileged relationship? The French cultural presence in Albania, between myth and reality] (in French). Balkanologie Revues. Archived from the original on December 29, 2010. Retrieved January 14, 2011. ...mais aident surtout à faire naître le premier lycée entièrement albanais ouvert à toutes les confessions.
  47. ^ Pick, Albert (1990). Standard Catalog of World Paper Money: Specialized Issues. Colin R. Bruce II and Neil Shafer (editors) (6th ed.). Krause Publications. ISBN 0-87341-149-8.
  48. ^ Augris, Etienne (December 2000). "Korçë dans la Grande Guerre:Le sud-est albanais sous administration française (1916–1918)" (in French). France: Balkanologie, Vol. IV, n°2. Archived from the original on January 26, 2011. Retrieved January 17, 2011. « La coopération des chrétiens et des musulmans a donné lieu, comme il fallait s'y attendre, à de fréquentes difficultés. Elle a montré, une fois de plus qu'en Albanie, le sentiment religieux était nettement plus fort que le sentiment de patrie »
  49. ^ Augris, Etienne (December 2000). "Korçë dans la Grande Guerre:Le sud-est albanais sous administration française (1916–1918)" (in French). France: Balkanologie, Vol. IV, n°2. Archived from the original on January 26, 2011. Retrieved January 17, 2011. Germenji, dont nous avons vu le rôle et les ambitions est envoyé à Salonique, jugé par un tribunal militaire et exécuté.
  50. ^ Popescu, Stefan. "Les français et la république de Kortcha (1916–1920)". Guerres Mondiales et Conflits Contemporains (in French). France: Cairn info. doi:10.3917/gmcc.213.0077. Archived from the original on January 26, 2011. Retrieved January 17, 2011. Le 16 février 1918, le général Salle, commandant du groupe Malik, supprime l'autonomie déjà réduite de la République albanaise.
  51. ^ Popescu, Stefan. "Les français et la république de Kortcha (1916–1920)". Guerres Mondiales et Conflits Contemporains (in French). France: Cairn info: 85. doi:10.3917/gmcc.213.0077. Archived from the original on January 26, 2011. Retrieved January 17, 2011. Après l'armistice il fut convenu que Français et Italiens administreraient chacun les territoires qu'ils occupaient, tandis qu'une administration franco-italo-anglaise était organisée à Scutari
  52. ^ Popescu, Stefan. "Les français et la république de Kortcha (1916–1920)". Guerres Mondiales et Conflits Contemporains (in French). France: Cairn info. doi:10.3917/gmcc.213.0077. Archived from the original on January 26, 2011. Retrieved January 17, 2011. 15 juin 1920 : Retrait des Français
  53. ^ Popescu, Stefan. "Les français et la république de Kortcha (1916–1920)". Guerres Mondiales et Conflits Contemporains (in French). France: Cairn info. doi:10.3917/gmcc.213.0077. Archived from the original on January 26, 2011. Retrieved January 17, 2011. La signature de ce Protocole contrevient aux stipulations du traité de Londres ...Par conséquent, l'Italie demanda des explications au quai d'Orsay, par l'intermédiaire de son ambassadeur, le 12 décembre 1916.
  54. ^ Jaume Ollé (July 15, 1996). "Republic of Korçë (1917–1918)". Archived from the original on November 24, 2011. Retrieved January 12, 2011. On 23 June 1917, Italy proclaimed the independence of Albania under her protectorate, justifying this with the French precedent in Korçë. Austria-Hungary had done it before on 3 January 1917.
  55. ^ Duffy, Michael (August 22, 2009). "Who's Who – Maurice Sarrail". firstworldwar.com. Archived from the original on December 14, 2010. Retrieved January 14, 2011. Indulging in political intrigue throughout, Sarrail's tenure as commander was brought to an abrupt – and surprisingly a politically inconsequential – end by Prime Minister Georges Clemenceau in December 1917.
  56. ^ Jaume Ollé (July 15, 1996). "Republic of Korçë (1917–1918)". Archived from the original on November 24, 2011. Retrieved January 12, 2011. the French influence remained strong in Korçë and the French Secondary School, founded in 1917, remained active until the Second World War... There is also a French war cemetery in Korçë.

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