Evening star., 1942-07-29
AIbanians Seekino
Admission 10 Ranks
OF United Nations
Would Husten Creation
Of ReoI BoIkon Front, =
Chekrezi Tells Hull
By BLAIR BOLLES.

On the grounds that the action
would hasten the creation of a real
Balkan front" against the Axis,
the American Government today
was urged to admit Albania. seized
by italy in short war before the
general war began, to the ranks Of
the United Nations.
Thus was posed anew the question
of how the State Department should
deal with exiled spokesmen for
countries whose liberty was wiped
out before the German attack on
Poland. Countries occupied after
that attack are represented by gov
ernments-in- recognized by the
United States.
In letter to Secretary Of State
Hull, C. A. Chekrezi, head OF the
Free Albania organization, which
represents the cause of Albania
much as the exile governments rep
resent the causes OF their countries,
said that formal recognition of AL
banias claims to fight side by side
with the Allies would "electrify" the
Albanians into systematic con-
tinuation of the struggle, as one
national unit, against the Axis
powers"
Guerrillas Harrassing Axis.
Some Albanian guerrillas are har-
RAISING the Axis now, Mr.. Chekrezi
pointed out. The little Balkan coun-
try, whose conquest by Italy in the
spring of 1899 was denounced by
the United States, lies alorg the
Adriatic. in position where its
fighters can cooperate with the
guerrillas of the Yugoslav general,
Draia Mihailovic and with the
Greeks.
Unless justice is to be done to
a small nation" Mr.. Chekrezi wrote
Secretary Hull, sit is questionable
whether it can be maintained that
the cause of the Allies is founded
on justice; for unless justice is done
to the least of the victims, no justice
Is done at all.
And as a logical consequence,
until the Allies are willing and able
to muster all the available forces
against the Axis, their chain of
strength will be as weak SIS its weak
est link"
The letter revealed that Zog,
former King Of Albania, now living
in England, sought adherence to
the United Nations Pact last jan
uary. Mr.. Chekrezi offered to re-
liDquish his leadership OF Free
Albania to Zog, who kept me in
prison three years and then SEN
fenced me to death because OF my
liberal democratic ideas if he can
qualify himself "as the sole and
unique representative OF Albania"
New Balkan Front.
Mr.. Chekrezi said:
I'm spite Of the fact that Albania
was the first nation to withstand
by the force of arms the over
whelming forces of Fascism, in
spite of the further fact that the
Albanian people are actually en-
gagged IN a grim struggle against
the invaders without the slightest
aid Or encouragement on the part
OF the United Nations, Albania is
still waiting 70 be admitted in the
ranks OF the United Nations.
When this IS done =, (admission
to the United Nations), $500 900
Albanial1s. who are known to be the
hardest fighters in the Balkans,
viii be electrified into systematic
continuation of the struggle. as one
national unit. against the Axis pow
ers. hand In hand with their neigh
bors. Greeks and Yugoslavs. Great
Ing thus new Balkan front.
For then, and only then, the
Albanians, considerable number
of whom have been deluded thus far
by the dismembermant propaganda
into collaborating with the Axis, will
be rid Of that nightmare"
The letter recalled oficial Greek
suggestions of recent months that
Albania be dismembered through
awarding the southern half of the
state to Greece
The second and logical effect of
the admission of Albania in the
ranks of the United Nations" the
letter added, will be that of estab-
fishing common national agency
for the prosecution OF the war by
the side of the Allies"