PORT SHELLED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23316, 8 April 1939, Page 13

PORT SHELLED

THE LANDING RESISTED HEAVY FIGHTING REPORTED DUCE DEMANDS SURRENDER h By Telegraph—Prens Association—Copyright (Received April 7. 11.30 p.m.) LONDON, April 7 It is officially announced from Rome that Italian troops sailed for Albania during the niight from Brindisi and Bari, and at dawn the First Naval Squadron was cruising off the Albanian coast. An air force squadrom was ordered to take off for an unrevealed operation. News from Tirana, capital of Albania, is that in spite of earlier reports, the Italians were compelled to resort to force. It was revealed at 9.45 a.m. Greenwich time that the port of Valona was heavily bombarded during the night. A message at 9.52 a.m. announced that Valona was being continuously shelled, and heavy fighting was going on in the vicinity. Italians attempting to land at Durazzo were twice driven ofF. Aeroplanes flew over Tirana early this morning and dropped pamphlets announcing the Italian landings. They warned the population not to resist, under threat of "atrocious military measures," and invited them to surrender to tlfe King-Emperor, who would impose peace. Ifaly yesterday informed the Yugoslav Government that an Italian protectorate would be established over Albania to-day, when Italian troops would land at the ports of Valona, Durazzo and- Scutari. The Yugoslav Cabinet met to discuss precautionary measures in the event of Italian occupation of Albania, says an Australian Associated Press cablegram from Belgrade. The Royal Albanian Legation in London issued a statement that any attempt to occupy Albania would be resisted. " We are authorised to deny the truth of any statement regarding an Italian protectorate," says the legation. " Moreover, any allegation that Albania has accepted conditions incompatible with her sovereignty and integrity are also untrue."

BATTLE FOR VALONA BITTER STRUGGLE IN STREETS ROME'S PLANS TO ABSORB COUNTRY (Received April 8, 12.30 a.m.) LONDON. April 7 Hater reports from Valona say that street fighting is continuing. An Albanian news agency reports that stern resistance is being made at all points where Italians landed, and blood is flowing in streams in the vicinity of Valona. The Albanian Cabinet is sitting at the Royal Palace. The latest advices are that the Italians are employing between 40,000 and 60,000 troops. Transports are continually leaving Brindisi and Bari. A message from Rome says Italy hoped to complete the occupation of Albania in 48 hours. It was originally intended that King Zog should remain on the throne, but that Albania should become an integral part of the Italian Empire, Rome handling its foreign policy and assuming full responsibility for defence, thus modelling the absorption on that of Cztscho-Slovakia.