«Albanian dawn»: Russian society and the Albanian issue at the beginning of the 20th century (based on the materials from literary monthly)

Abstract

The article analyses points of view presented in the early 20th century Russian press on the Albanian question, which then emerged on the international agenda, and on the problem of creation of the independent Albanian State in the Balkans, which had never existed earlier. The sources used by the author (“literary monthly”) were not only reflecting contemporary events of the First Balkan War through publishing reports of their correspondents in the Balkans, but also forming public opinion through offering their issued to the most significant and influential experts in the Balkan affairs of that time. The article demonstrates the interest of the Russian society in the process of definitive liberation of the European Turkey from the Ottoman yoke, sharp criticism of the Great Powers’ policy which in reality meant holding the Balkan allies back, and diminishing results of their military victories, as well as criticism of the Russian government, which, in the experts’ opinion, consented to this policy to the detriment of both its own prestige in the Balkans and the Balkan States’ interests.