BULGARIA

Southland Times, Issue 18971, 19 June 1923, Page 5

BULGARIA

THE DICTATOR’S END STAMBOULISKI’S DRAMATIC DEATH (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright). (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, June 17. The Times’s Slavovitza correspondent •says that a Balkan dictator rarely dies in his bed, because he makes over many enemies. M. Stambouliski shared the fate of others staying in Slavovitza on Saturday. When he heard of the revolt he refused to i believe that it was serious, and only realised the truth when troops began to arrive in Slavovitza. He decided to seek safety in I the mountains, hoping to cross the frontier. The troops began the pursuit on Saturday, and the vigorous search gave him no rest. His numerous guards gradually dwindled until only his brother and two faithful adherents remained. The cordon slowly but surely closed until he was driven to enter the village of Golack on Thursday. Disguised as a wood merchant M. Stambouliski quitted the village safely, but the mayor had already recognised the fugitive dictator, and gathered a band of peasants who followed and effected the arrest. “You betray me as Judas betrayed Christ,” said M. Stambouliski, weeping. The peasants offered him bread, but he rejected it exclaiming, “you offer me poison.” He telegraphed to the new premier giving his surrender and promising that he would offer no opposition, and wired salutations to the commander of the nearest troops, who was an old comrade, asking him to come and accept his surrender. When the military arrested him, M. Stambouliski pleaded to be allowed to call at his home to obtain his personal effects. This request was granted, and he was taken in a motor, strongly guarded. This is believed to have been a trick, as the escort was attacked and M. Stambouliski rescued. The Minister for War reprimanded the commander ancT ordered him to retake M. Stambouliski, dead or alive. The pursuit was accordingly resumed. No quarter was to be given, and the party surrounded the fugitives and fired at M. Stambouliski, who fell. GILT CROWN READY. STAMBOULISKI’S DESIGNS ON THRONE. LONDON, June 17. (Received June 18, 8.5 p.m.) The Daily Express's Sofia correspondent reports that Stambouliski intended to force King Boris to abdicate in his favour. The gilt crown which Stambouliski intended to use for his coronation was found at his farm near Sofia. It is stated that Stambouliski’s plan had been known for a month past by members of the present Government. SERBIAN PRECAUTIONS. NO RECOGNITION FOR NEW GOVERNMENT. SERBS SEEK NEW ADVENTURE. LONDON, June 18. Mr Donohue, writing in the Daily Chronicle, says uncertainty regarding the Bulgarian situation is causing uneasiness to the Serbian Government, which has now decided on military defensive measures to protect Serbian territories, especially Macedonian possession against Bulgar aggression. It is believed Stambouliski’s Party has been crushed and is incapable of serious resistance. As harvesting is now in full swing, Bulgaria is reluctant to abandon the fields for revolution. The Government has burned villages which showed signs of resistance, and no quarter is given to Stambouliski’s famous “Orange Guards.” Serbia refused to recognise the usurping Government. As retaliation for this attitude commitadji bands are active in Macedonia. “Serbia may reply by concentrating troops, reinforcing frontiers and also the Macedonian garrison. I passed troop trains to-day with Croatian soldiers from Agram and Sisak bound for the Macedonian frontier. Reservists at Vinkovei were hurriedly summoned from the fields and entrained for the concentration depots. There were weeping wives and mothers saying ‘good-bye.’ The men were laughing as if embarking on a fresh adventure. This was reminiscent of scenes I saw nine years ago.” ALLEGATIONS OF REPUBLICAN PLOT. FORCING KING TO ABDICATE.. VIENNA, June 17. The Neu Frie Presse published a Sofia telegram alleging that papers were found on Stambouliski, relating to a plot for a Republican coup d’etat on the occasion of the consecration of the new cathedral on September 12, when 100,000 peasants would assemble in Sofia, the idea being to force King Boris to abdicate and elect Stambouliski as President.