CAPTURE AND ESCAPE

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 143, 18 June 1923, Page 7

CAPTURE AND ESCAPE

NO QUARTER IN SECOND CHASE

SHOT BY PURSUING TROOPS.

(UNITED PRESS' ASSOCIATION.—COrTRIQHT.)

irUBLISHED IN THE TIMES.) (Received 18th June, 9 a.m.)

LONDON, 17th June

A "Times" correspondent at Slavovvilxa. telegraphs: "A Balkan dictator rarely dies in his bed. for he makes over-many enemies. M.- Stambouliski, the ex-Bulgarian Premier, hns now shared the fate of others. He wa3 staying at Slavowitza.' on Saturday when he learned of the revolt, which he. refvir-ed to behove was serious. Ho realised the truth, however, when troops began to arrive in. Slavo-.vit.za, and he decided to seek 3,-ifety in the mountains, hoping to cross the frontier.

"Troops began the pursuit on Saturday, and a. vigorous search gave him no rest. His numerous guards gradually dwindled until only his brother and two faithful servants remained. Tht> cordon slowly but surely closed until ho was driven to enter the village of Gohick on Thursday disguised as a. '-vood merchant, M. Sta-mbouliski quitted the villago safely, hut the Mayor had already recognised the fugitive dictator, and, gathering a band of peasants, followed him and ■arrested him. M. Stnmbouliski cried: 'You would betray me as Judas betrayed Christ,' and when the peasants offered, him bread he rejected it, exclaiming: 'Yon offer me poison !'

"Finally M. Stambouliski telegraphed to the new Premier'saying he would surrender, and promising that he would raise no opposition. He also telegraphed his salutations to the commander of the nearoßt troops, who was an old comrade, ana asked him to come and accept his surrender. After the military forces arrested him, M. Stambouliski".pleaded to be allowed to call at his home to obtain sumo personal effects. This request was granted, and ho was taken in a motor-car strongly guarded. The whole thing, however, is now believed to have been a trick, for the escort was attacked, and M. Stambouliski was rescued The Minister of war was incensed, reprimanded the commander, and ordered him to retake M. Stambouliski dead or alive. The pursuit was resumed, and no quarter was given. The party was surrounded and fired upon, and M. Stambouliski fell dead."