, 1891-05-06

speak on days when Bills of great moment
come on for discussion. Although about to
stand for Geestemunde, he did not, of free
choice, select this constituency, which is one
of the Socialist s~trongholds. He has not
even actually consented to stand as a can
didate, but has been put up Independently.
Still. he will let matters take their course,
and will accept the mandate if elected.
When the time comes for the A"ustro-German
Commercial Treaty to be laid before Parlia-
ment, the ex-Chancellor intends-if elected
by that time as a Deputy-to go Down to
the House and unburden himself of his opini-
ons on the subject; but Prince Bismarck
will not be a constant frequenter of the
House-at least, such is not his present IN
tention-and he has no mind to take a
house in Berlin either.
Europe has been thrown into a state of
excitement by the murder of the Bulgarian
Minister of Finance, M. Beltcheff. Well
informed public opinion everywhere recognl-
SEES instinctively that the bullet which cut short
the life of a young and promising Minister
was aimed at a more prominent statesman,
and that the assassin found his %inspirers and
his pavmasters in another country. M.
Stamboulof is the one strong man in Bulgaria,
on whose shoulders the Government rests
and. could he be got out of the way, the
Russian party might again hope to fish IN
troubled waters. Panslavist agents are more
impudently active than ever in Roumanla,
while Servia is their regular and happy hunt
ing ground. Obviously, there is enough
going forward in the smaller countries OF the
East to render Austria as wary and as alert
as ever; and this demeanour, imposed by
circumstances on the Cabinet Of Vienna, has
its effect on the policy and preparations OF
it's allies, Germany and Italy. If there is no
cause for alarm, there is much need for
vigilance.
The particulars of the crime are as fol-
lows. In front of the Princes Palace at
Sofia lies the Town Park, and facing its
gates stands a crescent of houses, one OF
which is occupied by Panachow, a we'll
known confectiOner. Panachow's is a favou-
rite lounge, and NJ. Stambouloff goes there
almost every day. He had been sitting there
for an hour on the evening of March rs,
when, towards 8 o'clock, he left, accompanied
by NJ. Beltcheff. The two crossed the way
and were skirting the park ratings, when
four men concealed under the shadow OF some
overhanging trees suddenly sprang out and a
shot was fired, which struck Nj. Beltchef.
The latter at once turned and ran into the
park, where he was IOI1OWeu ny Ohc u TX
men. who fired two other shots and killed
him. Meanwhile, NJ. Stamboulof raised a
cry of alarm, and a gendarme who was es-
corting him at a distance hurried up, and
discharged his revolver at a man who was
running away, but, having missed him, drew
his sabre, and as he states, struck the man
on his shoulder. However it may be, the
man and his ~accomplices escaped. Five min
utes after the first shot had been fired the
park was swarming with soldiers, cadets from
the military school, and persons from the
neighbouring cafes, but not a trace OF the
murderers could be found, and M. Beltchef
was lying dead on the gravel path.
Notwithstanding that the anniversary OF
the late Cars assassination has passed by
without any occurrence w~arranting revived
apprehensions of subversive attempts, the
s%trictest precautions continue to be observed
for the protection of the Imperial family.
An instance in point was afforded by the
Cars recent visit to the annual exhibition
of paintings at the Academy of Fine Arts:
Not only were the public vigorously excluded
from the, building, but carriages were not
ill.,. H. rro11ou;oc ou