BULGARIA

Southland Times, Issue 18967, 14 June 1923, Page 5

BULGARIA

PEASANTS IN ARMS FIGHTING AT VARIOUS POINTS (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cablo Association). BELGRADE, June 12. It is reported from Plevna district that 10,000 peasants in arms, disarmed the garrison. The Government is sending strong detachments. Heavy fighting is reported at various points between the conspirators and the peasants, but owing to the censorship the result is unknown. Two of Stambouliski’s Ministers, Duparinoff and Stanassoff escaped, the latter organising the peasantry at Radomir. Stambouliski is believed to be somewhere in the interior organising resis tence. HEAVY FIGHTING AT TESCHEN. SOFIA, June 12. (Received June 13, 7.45 p.m.) Boteff’s resistance in Radomer collapsed. He and 30 followers remaining loyal to him were arrested as well as Duparinoff, ex-Minister of Justice. Telegrams from important centres in the south report that all is calm. Troops in motor-ears and cavalry are disarming the peasantry, who display apathy which is attributed to the approaching harvest and the fact that their leaders in the north have been arrested. Fighting continues at Teechen, where both sides have been reinforced and considerable casualties are reported. “LIVING IN LUXURY* SENSATIONAL ALLEGATIONS AGAINST EX-MINISTER. LONDON, June 12. (Received June 13, 12.10 a.m.) The Daily Express’s Sofia correspondent states that the new Government issued a sensational statement in which it was announced that though the ex-Ministers were supposed to be poor men, it was evident that they had been living in luxury. Hoards of wealth were found in the residences of several ex-Ministera, including £45,000 worth of foreign currency at Stambouliaki’s farm. The ex-Ministers had used millions of leva worth of State capital to buy buildings and estates, and were owners of agrarian national stores, which, with branches throughout the country, were gaining control of Bulgaria’s whole import and export trade.

EX-PREMIER’S ESCAPE. DASH BY MOTOR CAR. LONDON, June 12. Stambouliski simply took to his heels and ran to save his life when cornered. According to the official version cabled from Sofia when he found the situation too hot he went in the direction of Bazardjik escorted by a few hundred sympathisers. These gradually fell off and Stambouliski, finding his only chance lay in a speedy motor car, bolted with a few friends, with the troops in pursuit. Entering a defile the chaffeur was wounded and fainted. The car became bogged in a ditch, Stambouliski fled to an adjacent wood, which was soon surrounded by troops, who were ordered to take him alive. PEASANT REVOLT AGAINST GOVERNMENT. PREPARATIONS TO MARCH ON BELGRADE. LONDON, June 13. A rigorous censorship has been established in Bulgaria. The situation is a complete mystery, but it is expected the Agrarians will make a strong stand. The newspapers assert that peasant revolts against the new regime are progressing throughout the country. It is reported that 10,000 peasants surrounded Plevna, where the Government sent strong reinforcements of troops; also that fighting occurred in Radomir district between the Government forces and 7,000 peasants raised by Boteff, ex-President of the Sobranje. Stambouliski is reported to be in Dolakovo prepared to march on Belgrade with detachments of Agrarian guards and 20,000 peasants. Other reports state that the peasants have cut the railways in various places, and that Bulgarian officers demobilised under the .Neuilly Treaty and fresh classes of recruits are being called up. The situation is regarded seriously in Serbia. The King is hurrying back from Bucharest, which he has been visiting.