AN EXILED PRINCE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 59, 27 July 1912, Page 5

AN EXILED PRINCE.

HIS CREDENTIALS. By Telegraph—-Press Association. Masterton, Friday. In reference to the statements in the Wanganui Chronicle, Prince Dikran informed a pressman this morning that he was a graduate in medicine from the American Presbyterian College at Beyrout, and bears official credentials and the highest recommendation from such men as Governor Hay, of Washington, the Archbishop of the Greek Orthodox. Church, from East American missionaries in Palestine, well-known clergymen in America, and' the United States representative in Europe. The Prince had also Many other credentials *»d photographs taken five years ago with his body guard. The prince had spent two weeks in Vancouver, and never tried to go to any college in Canada. He came from Vancouver and' not from San Francisco, and then came on to Sydney on board the steamer Marama. lie just saw Mr. W 7 ilford and heard him give two addresses. Another person had spoken well of New Zealand, and' this had decided him to break his journey at Auckland. His purpose was to go to Dunedin and stay two years to become a British subject. He hoped to teach and study in one of the colleges at Dunedin. His second call to lead the revolutionists was received by a letter which had' been sent to America and forwarded to the prince in New Zealand a week ago.

MR. WILFORD'S DENIAL. Wanganui, Last Night. In reference to the explanation given by Prince Dikran to a Masterton Press representative, the Chronicle says: —"We have the authority of a well-known business man, Mr. John Forbes, wholesale and retail jeweller, to state that the gentleman who styles himself an Albanian exile called at his establishment and was introduced to him (Mr. Forbes) as Prince Dikran. In the course of conversation, the visitor made, free use of the name of Mr. T. M. Wilford, to whom he alluded as 'Tommy' Wilford, and who, he said, was a fellow passenger of his from Vancouver. 'He told me,' said Mr. Forbes, 'that it had been his intention to proceed to New South Wales, but that 'Tommy' Wilford had induced him to remain in New Zealand, and that he now intended to take a two years' course at Dunedin University.' The reasonable interpretation of this statement, and of the tone of familiarity with which the speaker alluded to Mr. Wilford, is that it was intended to convey the impression that the prince had not merely come over in the same vessel as the member for the Hutt, but that he had become fairly well-acquainted with him, aud had satisfied him as to his bona t'ules. That this is a fair interpretation is borne out by the statement made to Us by another well-known citizen, whose credibity is beyond question, and who informed us that the prince told him that he intended to visit Wellington and 'was going to nsk Mr. Wilford to introduce him to liis Excellency the Governor.' For the rest, we are content to allow (he following telegram from Mr. Wilford to speak for itself:—'Have never spoken to Gustavo Dikran. Received a letter from him recently, which conluiiis the following sentence. Missed the chance of seeimr you on board s.s. Marania.—Wilford.'"'