The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-08-11
STAMBUL0FF KNEW 1T
He Foretold That He Was to
Be Assassinated.
INFAmY or PRINCE FERDINAND.
He Killed the Man Who Elevated Him
and Made Bulgaria n Sation-Now
Russia Despises Him.

rival OF Saturdays mail from the Conti-
nent All the German and Austrian news
papers of ten days ago contain q remark
able interview, given by StamhulcT last
April. regarding the tragic fate that WAS
awaiting him. In this interview Stanbu-
lot foretold his death, named the men
who would assassinate him. Indicated
clearly the criminal neglect Of the police.
and laid the blame at the door OF the Co
burg prince
This interview was given 70 an editor Of
the Cologne Gazette. and was sent by him
from Sofia to his chief, who. in q moment
OF excessive carefuiness, placed the manu-
script in a pigeonhoie. where il remained
until the news of the assassination was
flashed through Europe. Then. after two
days elaboration. the cditcr-in-chief OF
the Gazette published the great BuIgar-
ian's forecast of his own end. The matter
has more than passing interest, for. as
the Vienna New Free Press says. the
murder In Sofa has shot fame of fire
far UP from the European horizon and has
gwen rise already TO hasty agreements OF
the powers TO meet an expected crisis in
the East.
ut Is well that you have come TO me at
this time" said Stambuioff on the April
afternoon when the Cologne editor en-
tered his study. ST was thinking OF re-
questing YOU to call on me today. for I
have a few important things TO say 10
you. But first. read this telegram Of con-
graduation that I am going 10 send Bis
marck and translate 1t into German
The telegram said that a kind Provi-
dence had allowed Bismarck to see tho
completion OF his great work and to APP
proach the evening OF life with the happy
consciousness that his work was growing
stronger daily.
"To me-" said stambuIoff. Providence
has not been so kind
How is that Your work is almost
completes, even though IL may be left 20
others 10 crown IL. The foundations. the
walls. and even the roof are in place, and
your successors have little to do except
hoist the flag
'Ah, yes. the flag, Rut tho people viii
not hoist II; they will deliver the country
over to Russia. However. let that pass.
I had something else in my mind when
you camel am to be murdered SOON"
The correspondent suggested that the
ex-nremier had been made nervous by the
solicitude of his friends. and that tho
rumors of plots had been current ever
since his fall.
You think that nothing will happen be-
cause nothing has happened. but that Is
poor logic. This time the combination is
too strong. and cannot but believe that
serious business is ahead. Everything
friends that things are now about ripe for
action. However. when fall my friends
will not desert my wife and children; this
triumph Will net be granted my enemies.
In powerful quarters care viii be taken
that after nay death kilograms from all
parts of Bulgaria will express relief at
tho taking of of the 'tyraut and blood
sucker and 'libertine.'"
The correspondent was skeptieal. How
.f..sN~. ea1 h.
whole plot against him was ready TO be
unfolded to the police?
THAT is the true Europeanl You people
can live among us Bulgarians ten. twenty,
or thirty years without understanding
that we are a savage people, with sill "a
savage peoples good and bad qualities.
When, in 1876, we planned our first revolt
against Turkey, all Bulgaria knew of IL.
Only the Turks remained in biissful ignor-
ance until the day when we cut off a dozen
Turkish heads. When the attack which
resulted in Beltcheffs death was 10 be
made on me thousands were informed OF
ii in advance. The chief of police and his
men. however. were trustful and tranquil.
Today many know OF nv approaching as
sassination, and my friends-and God be
praised that still have them--are keener
than the Turks or the police were | give
you no names but my information is cor
rect The former chief of police. lila Lu
kanoff man OF honor, devoted to me,
and still possessing the best sources of In
formation. came TO me two days ago. He
was in a frenzy OF excitement, this man
who usually Is so stern and so calm. lie
wished TO go to the prince and tell him all.
lila said TO him. that would be the
greatest act of stupidity you could COM
nit. Do you not understand that these
assassins have sure and powerful backing
I'm their undertaking.
I'VE know perfectly well that I'm tho
suburb of Utchbiinar a band has assem-
bled which goes through exercises In tho
use of arms. This Ia nominally for Mace
donia, and the government. which does
not know its own mind, puts up with IL.
But we know that the members. among
whom are M. Belteheff's murderers. have
sworn 10 assassinate me i'm revenge for
panitza and the four men executed after
the BeltcheT trial. Prince Ferdinand
name liz on the same list. but of course
that is preposterous ruse. The bard OF
assassins OF which / speak consists OF
Rasarey, Haloff. Arnaut Tufektchiefs
and some others. Tufektchieff was SEN
fenced in Constantlneple to fifteen years
Imprisonment for killing DR.. Vulkoyitch.
the Bulgarian agent I'm Constantinople.
who was murdered in the street by the
hired assaesins OF Russia, but he roans
about unmolested here. and has even re-
ceived a post on the railway works. The
Turkish commissary demanded his extra
dition. but Natchovitch begged him not TO
insist upon this. as IL would raise bad
blood between Bulgaria and Turkey. and
would set the Macedonian agitation
alight. Natchovitch promised that he
would be arrested and imprisoned here.
but he is absolutely free. Forfyears past
people have been at work here with the
revolver and the dagger, and we have
customed 10 tioodshed in war. Now We
have civil war. which the government
only inaame@ while formerly We were pitt
Hess in dealing with the guilty alone.
Those OF the offenders who are left are
now high up.
And now, what do you Think After
getting yesterday and the day before the
most minute details Of this plot 10 muir
der me, ! receive Tufektchieff's card to-
day and am told that ne is at the door
70 see me. Think OF IL, Tnfektchie1.
who accuses me OF torturing his brother
70 death I'm prison To my porters ques-
lions this man replied that he wished 10
see me to accomplish reconciliation for
the sake Of Macedonia, Naturally I re-
celved neither him nor the iyansvi broth
ers who are also 10 take part IN the as
They know that have six servants, al
ways armed 10 the teeth AMI ready 10
spring upon anybody who attacks me.
The truth is that this reconciliation was
10 be a mask under which they could
plot and complete the assassination. Their
Efforts 10 get this mask. now, without de-
ley. shows me that the time or the as
saszination is near at hand
To-day shall put on paper all the de-
tails OF the plot Copies OF this GocD-
rent will be delivered 10 you and 70 all
the diplomatic agents OF the powers. on
each envelopes viii be the words: Not
10 be opened until after my death Thus