Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1939-04-13
Text of Chamberlain Statement
British Prime Minister Recounts Steps Ito Seizure Of Albania
And Makes Specific Pledge to Aid Greece and Rumonio

| CdlClJIdIlCc u 1AlIlS LOS.
italy has spent large sums in
Albania on schools and roads and
this money, 1t was said by the
Italians, was mal-administered by
the Albanian government and King
Fog, who had betrayed his people.
There were many elements in
Albania which desired to free the
country from King zog's misrule.
In the meantime, there is no
doubt Of the general effect pro-
duced by the Italian action. Pub
lie opinion throughout the world has
once again been profoundly shocked
at this fresh exhibition of use OF
force.
Whatever their fate, whether
Christians or Moslems, it must be
apparent that a powerful nation has
imposed its will on a small and
relatively defenseless country and
has done so by an imposing show OF
armed force.
In this country there is one ques-
ton which we are bound to ask
ourselves, and that is how far are
the proceedings in Albania in con-
formity with the agreement which
was signed by the Italians and our
selves on April Is. last year. The
preamble to that agreement says,
1.-TWO countries. animated by de-
sire to place their relations on a
solid and lasting basis, and to con-
tribute to the general cause of peace
and security. have decided to reach
an agreement on questions of mu-
tual concern"
Cause of Further Uneasiness.
It will be felt widely in this coun-
try and in the world at large that
the action taken by Italy in Albania,
so far from contributing to the gen.
eral cause of peace and security,
must inevitably be cause of further
uneasiness and increased interna-
tional tension.
Then again, under the agreement,
both countries reaffirmed the decla-
ration of the I'd of January. 1887,
which says the two governments
disclaim any desire to modify or
see modified the status quo as re-
CARDS the national sovereignties of
territories in the Mediterranean
area.
With these considerations in mind,
we instructed our Ambassador to
speak to Count Ciano in Rome,
while at the same time Lord Hall
fax reminded the Italian Charge
d'Affaires that the situation might
raise in acute form the whole ques-
ton of the status quo in the Medi-
terranean, a matter which. in our
opinion, was an important element
in the Anglo-1talian agreement of
April last,
The Adriatic is certainly a part
of the Mediterranean, and the Ital-
ian government could not, therefore,
claim his majestys government were
not concerned. On these broad
grounds the foreign secretary said
he could feel completely treasured
if he could be certain the situation
would develop in such a way that
conditions of the agreement were
not likely to be violated.
Respect for Albania Promised.
On the same day his majesty's
Ambassador had seen Count Ciano,
who had stated that the italian gov
eminent fully intended to respect
the independence and integrity of
Albania and the status quo in the
Mediterranean.
On April he saw him again and
informed him that. although his
majesty's government had taken
note of these assurances, they were,
nevertheless, gravely concerned by
reports reaching them of the sud-
den invasion of Albania and found
it difficult to believe if the situa-
ton between Italy and Albania was.
as had been described to him by
Count Ciano and Signor Crolla. diff
ferences between the two countries
were incapable of solution by nego-
tiation, and that they found it
equally difficult to understand and
reconcile the landing of Italians on
the Albanian coast with the integ-
rity of frontiers.
Lord Perth reminded Count Ciano
that both governments were pledged
by the Anglo-Italian agreement to
preserve the status quo in the Med
iterranean area, and informed him
that his majesty's government felt
they were entitled to the frankest
and fullest explanation not only of
present developments in the Italian
Albanian situation but also of fu-
ture intentions of the italian gov
eminent.
Lord Perth added that explana-
tons proffered up to date had caused
his majesty's government profound
misgivings and that they would not
satisfy public opinion in this coun-
try.
Future Up to Albanians.
When pressed by Lord Perth as to
what were Italian intentions with
regard to the future, bearing in mind
definite pledges and assurances
which the italian government had
already given, Count Ciano said this
would depend on the wishes of the
Albanians themselves.
1t would appear from the latest
news that the Albanian provisional
administrative council has offered
the crown Of Albania to the King OF
Italy, and we must await the answer
Of the italian government to this
offer.
But, whatever might be the tech
nicalities of the position, his ma
jestys government find 1t difficult
in the extreme to reconcile what
has happened in Albania with the
preservation of national sovereignty
as contemplated by the Anglo-1tal-
ian agreement. .
OF course, it is not only the fu-
ture of Albania that Is at stake.
Unmistakable signs of disquiet and
uneasiess have been manifested, not
only in adjacent areas. but in other
countries bordering on the Mediter-