New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-03-12
N. PETKOFF SHOT DEAD.
Bulgarian Premier Murdered in
Boris Garden at Sofa.

Sofa, March I'm. Petkoff. the Bulgarian
Premier and Minister Of the Interior was as
sassinated here to-day. NJ. PetkoF' Win otheF
ministers, was walking in the Boris GARDEN
when he was attacked by an unknown man. who
fired at him with a revolver. The Premier was
hit by three bullets and died instantly. M.
Guenadieff, the Minister Of Commerce and Agri-
culture one Of those accompanying NJ Petkon.
was wounded IN the arm.
The assassin Of the Premier has been arrested.
He is a dismissed employe OF the Agricultural
Bank The motives for his crime are not known,
but in some quarters he Is believed to be the In
strument Of political plot, while other people
believe that he acted out Of private revenge
NJ. Petkoff fifty years old He was the
son Of a Bulgarian peasant. He fought IN the
wars against Turkey in 1873. and lost his right
arm 1t Is thought that his death may lead TO
political complications.
Twelve years ago n Petkoff. at that time
newspaper man. was an unwilling witness OF the
murder OF HIS friend Stephan n. Stanbulofr. the
deposed Premier of Bulgaria Now, more than a
decade later having followed his former assoc-
ate into power, he too has fallen a victim 20 the
political assassin. There is significance in the
fact that NJ. PetkoR the leader Of what is
known IN Bulgaria the Stanbulon party--the
party OF liberal ideas. -Four years ago he held the
portfolio Of the Interior IN the then Liberal Cabi
net When the Petrof Cabinet resigned on No
vember 5, 1906 NJ Petkon called upon TO
form the present Ministry. This he did, taking his
old portfolio of the Interior. in addition TO his
duties Premier.
The downfall OF staInbulon who has been called
the Bismarck Of Bulgaria, followed the marriage
OF Prince Ferdinand TO Maria Louisa daughter OF
the Duke Of Parma Differences arose between
the Prime Minister and the Prince over the strict
rules Of almost medieval etiquette which Ferdi-
nand ana his Bourbon consort sought 20 introduce
IN the court and the objections made by
0cgp 81
her hard won independence In order 20 get the
good win OF the Gear. who alone at that time stood
IN the way OF Ferdinand's recognition a sover-
eign by the other powers signatory to the Berlin
Treaty.
On two oecasions attempts were made on STAN
hulofrs Iife but In each instance he escaped
through the assassins mlstaking and killing his
companion for their intended victim In one case
It was n BeitchsR in the other DR.. Vulkovitch.
who vfcariously perished-
The summary dismissal of Stambulof by Prince
Ferdinand. shortly after the second OF these fatal
blunders gave rise. perhaps not unnaturally, 10
suspicions in the minds OF 6tambuloh ana his
friends that the Prince had w4nked at. II not con-
nived at, these assaults A. any rate mono OF inc
men who took part In them although said TO be
we'll known was ever arrested punished.
stambulon himself forstold tho circumstances or
HIS assassination IN interview given to CORE
spondent Of THE Cologne Gazette in April lSSS'
His death which occurred on July % OF the same
year, was accomplished almost pEeciee1S az no 'A
described, although the editor OF the GoioEhe
Gazette did not print the interview until AFTER tne
event. In the published article Stambulon plainly
laid the blame at the door Of the Coburg prince;
The attack made in broad dayllssti IA sight
Of the royal palace Under the eyes OF the police
NJ StambuloR and M Petkoff were driving from
club 10 the formers residence. when seVeIaI men,
armed with knives and pistols. stopped the car
rage Stambuoff jumped out ana was Almost
hacked TO pieces with the knives OF MS AssaliaI5
receivinR more than twenty wounds IN nl9 mead
BODY and hands. He succeeded IN CRYING Ihe
rnuTderers away, but the surgeons Iouno II neces-
sarv 10 amputate both hands. and he oid not sur
yiye the operation, dying on July Is.
Various arrests were made, ana IN OecSLitoeI'
1886 three men were brought 70 trial one or them
was acquitted, and StambulORB ooacnnan ana an
other were sentenced TO three months imprison-
-.
whose real name said 20 DC otavIen' was
placed on trial being the actual m1ro t ne
was pronounced guilty and sentenced 10 % OK
ecuted but there 10 no record that the sentence
carried out. - -. -. 20 a.
This same StavrefT is reputed 10 be one OF She
party implicated in the kidnapping ana holdlng TOT
ransom Of Miss Ellen n. Stone. the American mis-
EiOnary.