La Domenica del Corriere, February 1–8, 1914

In the distant future, Albanian history will need many pages to recount the long and arduous negotiations required to realize the project of the European Powers—though it would be more accurate to say Italy and Austria, the only ones truly interested—to create a free and independent Kingdom of Albania. We are on the eve of this astonishing creation—an eve fraught with challenges and possibly still full of surprises! As is known, Prince Wilhelm of Wied, chosen by various European Cabinets as the future King, is about to reach his domains because it seems that an agreement has been reached on the loan of 75 million crowns that Europe will grant to Albania, without which impoverished Albania could not begin its new life as a state.

Original page of "La Domenica del Corriere," February 1914

To meet the new King, Ismail Kemal Bey, currently in Italy and who was the president of the provisional Albanian government, is about to travel to Berlin. Efforts are also being made to persuade Essad Pasha, the current head of the government of Central Albania, to resign from the power and functions he has assumed. It is not certain that all Albanians are already willing to welcome the King of Albania with open arms. Among other issues, there is a religious matter: Albanians are predominantly Catholic, while Wied is Protestant. However, the imminent arrival of the new King may help quell desires and aspirations for independence and power.

The King will reside in Durrës in an old building that about a hundred workers have been working on for some time to modernize. It appears that the coronation festivities will be held with great pomp. Bread and festivities: the people have never been different, nor have they ever asked for more.