“We will not lay down our arms until the rights of Skanderbeg’s country are restored”.
In 1871, the Serbian newspaper “FLAG”, printed in Novi Sad, Number 104, published an article about the Albanian uprising of 1871 after the Turkish atrocities in Vrakë where 400 Albanian highlanders were killed.
Cited:
Fom the article:
“ALBANIA. They write about the second phase of the Albanian uprising in a Viennese newspaper.
“It is quite possible that the uprising has taken firm roots throughout Albania, at least it is true that the Shkipetars and the Miridites are now doing nothing without a common agreement. The reason why so little has been heard of the fighting so far is that the Arnauts, wised up by the terrible defeat at Vrak, are now reluctant to descend into the valleys unless they are well armed and have a skilled leader.
The companies are now being organized in the mountains; and this is the reason why the uprising has now been kept quiet about it. But judging by the measures taken by their leader, it is clear that he fully understands the position of the Ustashas.
The Nizams have occupied all the passes leading to the Shar and Dibër Sandjaks and have concentrated a strong force there. All the more important points in the south and east are firmly occupied, and it seems that they have chosen Elbasan (the old Holy City) from where they will operate.
The Arnauts are determined to regain their old rights. “We will not lay down our arms until the rights of Skanderbeg’s country are restored,” says the decision of the general assembly in Malesia. Good luck, Arnautin is your hero, and you can believe that he will hold out in battle until the last drop of blood”.
Reference
Balkan Academia 