Video: How a rogue circus performer was crowned in Albania: Artful Otto Witte
2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55
In 1913, an unusual vacancy arose in a small state that had just gained independence from Turkey: a candidate for monarchy was urgently needed. While the Western powers were arguing about this, one contender for the throne appeared, which completely satisfied the Albanians themselves. During the five days of his reign, the new king managed to do a lot: he appreciated the royal harem and declared war on his neighbors. Then, however, it turned out that he was an ordinary crook and circus acrobat.
At the end of 1912, Albania achieved an old dream of secession from Turkey. There was a provisional government in the country, but everyone felt that only a strong and powerful monarch could truly unite the people and keep the situation. Half of the world was preoccupied with this problem and tried to help the newborn state. However, the Albanian himself did not really want to get a ruler of the "European model". Five centuries under the rule of the Turks were not in vain - the people now wanted a Muslim ruler.
There was a suitable candidate. It was the nephew of the Sultan of Constantinople, Halim Eddine. A diplomatic inquiry was sent to him, and the whole country was eagerly awaiting an answer. At this tense moment, a wandering German circus arrived in Albania. His program kept on only two "stars". Acrobat Otto Witte and sword swallower Max Hoffmann were not only talented performers, but also experienced crooks.
The front pages of Albanian newspapers were full of photographs of Halim Eddine, and two friends once noticed the striking resemblance of the Sultan's nephew to Otto Witte. They had a bold plan to "seize" the throne of Albania. True, for this the impostor had to dye his hair and grow a lush mustache, but the result was worth it: the German circus performer really turned out to be like Eddina.
The scammers learned the basics of the Albanian language in a couple of months and ordered two opera costumes in Vienna, which were made quite soundly and authentically: a general's uniform and a rich outfit of a Turkish nobleman. Then they left for Greece, organized with the help of an accomplice a telegram from Constantinople: "Prince Halim Eddine sailed to Albania", and with fanfare sailed to their new fiefdom.
The country was jubilant. On August 10, 1913, everyone poured into the streets to meet the long-awaited ruler. The arrival at the port of Durazzo went great. The future "monarch" made an excellent impression on his subjects: solid, portly and gray-haired, in a general's uniform, decorated with orders and a ribbon, he seemed to be a real ruler. The distinguished guest was accompanied by a noble Turk, also of the most dignified kind.
General Essad Pasha, the country's interim ruler, greeted the future king and escorted the guests to the capital. The next day, two impostors in the main hall of the royal palace held a "historical conference" and announced the main directions of activity: firstly, they announced the coronation dates (literally every other day), and secondly, they demanded a harem for the king, "equipped" only with "national personnel”- after all, it is not for nothing that the beauty of Albanian girls is known throughout the world, thirdly, it was decided to declare war on Montenegro. Well, and, of course, the finances of the state had to be transferred to the new ruler as soon as possible, so that he could reward his faithful assistants according to the merits.
The program flattered the national pride, so it was accepted with a bang. The new ruler became more and more popular with both his immediate circle and the common people. Halim Eddine even flattered foreign observers by deciding to adopt the Western throne name: Otto the First. On the thirteenth of August, the coronation took place, and the next few days were like an oriental fairy tale: lavish feasts and celebrations during the day were followed by nightly "qualifying rounds" to the royal harem.
The reign of the self-appointed king lasted exactly two days - it took the postal service so long to bring the news of the coronation to Turkey and bring back the answer. The real Halim Eddine was extremely surprised by the news and demanded details. General Essad Pasha again assumed the duties of the interim ruler and tried to detain Otto the First and his assistant, but they had already disappeared. They fled from the palace in women's dresses, taking, of course, some part of the state treasury. They really spent a large part of the funds entrusted to them on generous gifts to their entourage, and maybe that's why their escape was so successful.
In their native Germany, the political joke was considered amusing and did not punish the crooks. Having squandered the appropriated funds, Max and Otto returned to the circus, and for many years then gladly told everyone their fantastic story and posed for journalists. It is known that even in the identity card issued to Witte by the Berlin police, it was written: "circus entrepreneur, once the king of Albania." The swindler died on August 13, 1958, on the day of the 45th anniversary of his coronation.
Swindlers have existed at all times. Even under the strict gaze of the Soviet militia, talented schemers profited from whom the legendary Ostap Bender would have envied.
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