THE PRINCE DIKRAN.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8185, 29 July 1912, Page 1

THE PRINCE DIKRAN.

RESENTS ADVERSE CRITICISM LIBELLOUS AND UNTRUE. Sir, —Would you put in your journal the accompanying cutting, if you wish tho truth and full facts concerning my credentials, as already I notice your paper, without any assignable reason, is against my bona fides. In your paper it was asserted this morning that I was in Vancouver two years when the statement sent to you gave." two weeks.” If the “Wanganui Chronicle” desires to advertise itself, do not use ray name and that of Air Wilford for the sake of making mischief. I never used the word “Tommy,” as the “Chronicle” reports, in speaking of Mr Wilford—as I do not use slang. I speak respectfully of everyone.

They have used the press for a personal purpose to cause mischief and advertise themselves.

Mr Wilford’s presence in the same steamer os myself does not affect my credentials.

I have put the case into the hands of my lawyers to show the “Chronicle” that I am genuine, and vouched for as a Christian gentleman. Please publish my letter in your paper as a matter of fact.—l am, etc., GUSTAVE, Emir of Albania. Masterten, July 27. STATEMENTS DENIED. THE PRINCE’S CREDENTIALS. In reference to a statement which had been published in the “ Wanganui Chronicle” doubting the credentials of the Prince, the latter informed a reporter that at Wanganui he gave his lecture at the Opera House, the exMayor presiding. Everyone was_ satisfied. The public must judge him'by the way he spoke to the public." His public and private utterances'were the same. The first ■ call from 'Albania came to the Prince three months ago, before the revolution started, and thatwas published in the Morning Astorian,” an Oregon (America) paper, of March 16th*. 1912. The State wanted him to lead - the ‘ • revolution, but for private, and family reasons he could not do so." The same paper 'reports that the Prince was received by the Rev. Gilberd, of the Presbyterian Church, and the City Superintendent of the Public (Mr Imel) and Principal Stone of the High. School. The Prince was a graduate in medicine from the American Presbyterian College at Beyrout, and bears official credentials and highest. recommendation from such men as Franklin P. Moore, Governor Hoy, of Washington, the Archbishop of \ the Greek Orthodox Church of the East, the American missionaries in Palestine, well-known clergymen in America and the United States representative in Europe. The Prince was on his way to Chicago to take a post graduate course in medicine, A letter from the Governor of the State of Washington, Olympia, February 12th, 1912, gives an introduction of the Prince to the Governor of Oregon. This letter states: “I am pleased to hand you herewith a letter of _ introduction to Prince Gustavo Dakrin, of Albania, who comes properly vouched for, etc.” Another letter received from the Greek Archbishop of the East gives an introduction of the King of Abyssinia, stating that “the bearer of the letter was Gustave Dikran, Prince of Albania, who has been guide of , the Albanian Christians to protect them from the Turkish army., For,that the Turkish Government does not allow him to be in >• Albania any more.; therefore he went away.” The Prince had also many other ; credentials, * and a' photo taken five years ago with his bodyguard. The Prince had spent two weeks in Vancouver, and never tried, to go to any college, in Canada. . He went to Seattle, where ho. had credentials . from . the secretary of • the Y.M.Q.A. there stating that the Prince had come there with the best of recommendations. To show that the statements of the “ Wanganui. Chronicle ” are false the Prince stated that his intention was to go to Chicago, ,where he would take a post graduate course and not to Boston. / He had never been to Boston. Why he came to New Zealand was because the Governor of Washington received a' message from Turkey not to protect the Prince, and Turkey would appreciate it as a friendly act. The Seattle- “Daily Star” of May 13th contained a message from the Constantinople correspondent of the United Press in regard to the part the Prince had taken ‘ in the Albanian revolution. Also that it was well within the • probabilities that the Turkish Government has hinted to Washington that the’ deportation of the Prince would he regarded' as a friendly act. He would like _ the “Chronicle” to understand that he came‘from Vancouver (British Columbia) and not from San Francisco. He then came on to Sydney. On board. the Marama he just saw Mr Wilford, M.p.', and heard him give two addresses at concerts at which the was present. Other persons had spoken' well of New Zealand. and this had decided him to break his journey at Auckland, whereas his luggage went on to Sydney. His purpose to go' to Dunedin was to stay two years, to become a British subject, and hoped to teach and study in one of the colleges there. The second call to lead ’ the revolutionists was received by letter which had been sent to America' and forwarded on to the Prince in New Zealand a week ago, and this was the letter which had been published in the New Zealand papers. The Prince came to New Zealand independently, and spoke whenever ho liked. If he spoke in the churches it would tie H fti'' reoneirf fl.elim-et}-