The Albanian Question in British Policy and the Italian Intervention, August 1914–April 1915

Abstract

“… it would not be France, or any other of the Powers of the Triple Entente, who would dispute Valona with you [Italy].”1 Théophile Delcassé, French Foreign Minister, 1914–15 From August 1914 until April 1915 Britain, under Foreign Secretary, Sir Edward Grey, headed a tri-partite Entente diplomacy to induce the Italian government to intervene in the First World War on the Entente side. This article considers the place of the Albanian question within those negotiations, above all the changing British policy toward an independent Albanian state, and how these ideas fit in with British concerns for the balance of power and wider war arms. It explores British policy from that pursued during the Ambassadorial Conference in London (1912–13), which established an independent Albanian state for the first time, through promises to protect the rights and integrity of small nations, and in light of later pledges to self-determination. It illustrates that despite all attention given to other areas of the Pact of London (26 April 1915) that the Albanian question did play a significant role, although ultimately not being the top priority for Italian policy makers.