The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-07-17
HAND OF RUSSIA.
May Have Been In the Plot to As
sassinate Stambuloh.
AMBITION OF PRINCE FERDINAND
Makes Bulgaria's Position Ex-
tremely Dangerous.

SOFlAi July lI-Ine conultlOu Oh NJ
/ Stambuloff is such as to give slight hop.s
that he may yet recover from his wounds
M. Stambuloff, late yesterday, made a
statement to the public prosecutor, who
has ordered the arrest of Tufektchieh, who
was formally charged with the murder OF
M. Beltcheff, the Bulgarian minister OF
finance, who was assassinatod in March,
1891 while In company with NJ. Stambu-
loff Nine. Beltcheff, IL will be recalled,
was recently Induced 10 believe that M.
Stambulof was the murderer of her hus-
band, and warrant was issued, but never
executed, for his arrest.
A man who witnessed NJ. Stambu-
Ions coachman pursue the assassin, says
he saw policeman strike the coachman
because OF the latter's refusal 20 give up
the revolver with which he was chasing
the criminals and to whom the policemen
were not paying any attention.
The kolnische Zeitung (Berlin) calls at
tention TO an interview which IL had with
nj. Stambuloff some months ago. nj.
Stambuloff then had forebodings Of his
fate, and said that a band had been formed
NJ Uetschbunar a suburb Of Sofia, which
practioed the use Of firearms The gov
ernmcnt said M. Stambuloff was aware OF
their existence, but winked at il. Among
the band were the murderers Of NJ. Belt
chef, former minister Of finance of Bull
garia, who was assassinated in 1891.
"They have taken an oath TO assassinats
me, said NJ. Stambuloff in the interview,
"and to avenge Major Pantza executed
for treason in 1880 at the instance of M.
Stambuloff). Prince Ferdinand Is in
cluded In the list of impending victims"
Strongly Opposed to Russia.
Stambulotf represented the most ardent
patriotism and national ambition OF his
people. He was the heart Of the opposi-
tion to Russian influence, and when no
retired from the premiership short time
ago, that act was felt TO be the signal of
great change. Other evidences of that
change have not been wanting. Prince
Ferdinand seems to have decided that the
best course for Bulgaria was TO accept tho
Russian alliance, and it is for that that he
has left his kingdom.
Stambulof was strong statesman In
position which circumstances rendered
untenable. Bulgaria needed such man,
but that man should have been its prince.
Ferdinand would have been abolished
long ago but for Stambuloff and his dis
subsection of the little country which
made so brave a fight under Alexander
of Battenberg for it's autonomy, and
gained 1t. The foremost man In Bulgaria
for the last 10 or l2 years, Stambuloff was
the latest victim of Russian intrigue.
Prince Ferdinand is apparently between
two fires. What he especially desires is
the formal recognition of his princely
81 ntt.e lxvR l.. kA.
utation of Macedonians, and though no
lectured the members of it, the fact that
they were received at oil has been freely
commented on. Further Prince Ferdi-
nand's unexplained journeys and the am
biguous language of the Bulgarian gov
ernment papers have given rise 10 the be-
lief that the movement in Macedonia is
being encouraged by the prince and his
ministers.
Ferdinand Currying the Cars Favor.
On the other hand, as is made evident,
Prince Ferdinand is earnestly bent upon
standing well with the car, in the hope,
of course, Of obtaining from that august
monarch the official recognition of his
rulership, which Russia, and In conse-
quepce the rest of Europe, has so long
denied.
The Inauguration of this distinctly Rus
sophie policy dates from the fall of Stam-
bulon, last year. Stambuloff fell because
he put his faith in the triple alliance, but
was unable to obtain from 1t recogni.
tion of Prince Ferdinand's international
status. Hence, since Stambuloff and tho
triple alliance, whose steadfast supporter
he had always been, could not obtain for
the prince what he desired, Stambuloff
was crushed, and a reapproachement was
attempted with Russia
The difficulty of Prince Ferdnand's po-
sition lies in the fact that the sentiment Of
the bulk of his subjects Is decidedly anti
Russian. Since Stambuloff's overthrow
there has been an increase of the influence
of the Russophile party inithe principality,
but the distrust with which Russia has
come TO be regarded in Bulgaria Is wide
spread, as well rs deep.
These two circumstances-Prnce Ferdi-
nand's desire TO please Russia i'm order TO
obtain q recognition of his rulership from
the czar, and the thorough unpopularity
of Russia In the principslty-combino to
render the situation In Bulgaria both com
plicated and dangerous.
disappointed IN Love.
r. III.