Among the leaders of the
Albanian Revolt of 1911, who had turned their weapons and clans on the Ottomans, was "... the intelligent Sokol Baci" (from Gruda). To Sokol, much respected by the tribesmen, Nikola entrusted the task of inducing the Albanian Catholics to migrate in numbers into Montenegro, promising them that if they would revolt against the Turks their wives and children should have shelter and protection till their land was freed from the Turks, and that they should receive sufficient arms and ammunition. Nikola himself promised independence to the tribesmen. , in Gërçe, Albania An interview with Sokol Baci conducted by the Italian Newspaper Corrlere d'Italia, was published in numerous publications in May of 1911 including the Los Angeles Herald and the Evening star of Washington DC. Images of the article were provided by the
Library of Congress. "
Albanian Revolution is Directed by Exiled Chief" " Rome, May 7. - "The clerical "Corrlere d'Italla," which is especially well informed about all matters connected with Albania, publishes an Important Interview with the Albanian chief, Sokol Beg Batcho, who has been for several years an exile in Montenegro, where he is now living and from where he is directing the Albanian insurrection. This fine old warrior, who is a familiar figure at Cettinje, formulates the demands of the Albanians as follows: The administrative autonomy of our vilayets which contain an Albanian population under an Albanian or European governor general; European control for a number of years, until the new autonomous province has been placed upon a definite footing; the use of the
Albanian language, with Latin characters in all official documents; the expenditure of all sums raised as taxes from the Albanians within Albania itself, and the restriction of military service to the Albanian districts only, so that no Arnaut may be sent to do his term of soldiering in the Yemen, as is now the case." On June 24, 1911, the Ottoman minister to Montenegro,
Saddridin Bey, came to negotiate with the Malissori, and promised an extension of the armistice and an increase of compensation money; Sokol Baci, however, urged the Malissori to not surrender, saying, "Where is the European guarantee?". In 1912, the tribes of Gruda and
Hoti were allied with Montenegro, while support also came from the greater parts of the
Kastrati and
Shkreli tribes, as well as a part of the
Kelmendi tribe. According to
Edith Durham, in 1912 Montenegro worked hard to rise the Malissori in exchange for arms and freedom, and they believed Montenegro's claimed intent to 'liberate their brethren'. After the Montenegrin conquest of
Scutari (1913), Nicholas I appointed Sokol Baci the commander (
vojvoda) and brigadier of Scutari. When congratulated on his appointment, Sokol replied, "He who does not see through the screen, may his eyes fall out!" On May 26, 1913, 130 leaders of the Gruda, Hoti, Kelmendi, Kastrati and Shkreli sent a petition to
Cecil Burney in Shkodër against the incorporation of their territories into Montenegro. Sokol broke ties with Nicholas I and lived in Shkodër for the remainder of his life. On November 14, 1918,
Luigj Gurakuqi,
Anton Harapi and
Gjergj Fishta led the leaders of the Hoti and Gruda on a march from Montenegro to Shkodër, where they submitted a memorandum to the French Colonel, Bardy de Fourton. The memorandum was addressed to the Ministers of Foreign Affairs in Washington, London, Paris and Rome requesting that Hoti and Gruda be united with Albania, signed by the chiefs of Gruda, including Sokol's closest cousins, Dede Nika Ivezaj, Zef Martini Ivezaj, Mirash Hasi Ivezaj and Marash Pllumi Ivezaj. ==Legacy==