The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1903-09-29
COTTON PREVENTS MASSACRE.

BEIRUT, Syria, Tuesday. Sept. S-(Cor-
respondence Of the Associated Press).-As
this dispatch is mailed the situation at
Beirut remains unchanged, there being
great feeling of uncertainty.
The correspondent of the Associated
Press called on board the United States
cruisers Brooklyn and San Francisco yes
terday and found them armed camps. The
bluejackets and marines were in readi-
ness to land at a moments notice, ammu-
milton filled their belts and arms were
stacked on deck. Rear Admiral Cotton
informed the correspondent that he was
prepared to give Americans and Euro
peans in general the fullest protection
possible.
Fortunately the fanaticism of the peo-
pie has not yet gone so far beyond bounds
as to cause them to attack foreigners, but
business is at a standstill, the streets are
deserted and the shops are closed.
Guards to watch the American property
here were furnished last night. Had the
Governor refused, Admiral Cotton stood
prepared to land 500 men If necessary. The
American ships played their searehlights
on the city Illuminating not alone the
property of theNSyrian Protestant College,
but also dark alleys and~byways frequent
ed as rule by shady characters.
The disturbances here began on the
night of Friday, September 4. murder
was committed in Beirut, which was by
no means an unusual thing, but in this
instance a non-Christian killed a Moslem.
The next morning the Christians in the
community became much wrought up
over the affair and genuine fight pre-
vailed
Now the Moslems will go out Tonight, .
they said, land five Christians will die
for the Moslem slain."
On Saturday night and the Sunday fol-
lowing there was an uprising against the
Christians in different parts of the city
Thirty persons were massacred in one
quarter, and reign of terror was in
augurated throughout the whole city.
A visit to the scene Of the greatest
slaughter found one Turkish officer dead
on the ground, another with blood stream
ing from a wound in his face, while in
the homes of the neighborhood victims
lay dead or writhing in agony. On Sun
day morning a church was attacked in
the same neighborhood while service was
in progress, but no one was killed.
Panic-stricken, the Christians fed from
the city or remained in their homes be-
hind barricaded doors, while Moslems,
armed with clubs. revolvers and knives,
paraded the streets and fell on any chance
victim that came their way.
Monday found the situation no better
All day stores remained closed, the streets
were deserted and business came to a
complete standstill. People remained at
home, afraid to venture out, and one or
two who did so were killed for their te-
merity.
The foreign residents had not at first
felt any great personal danger, but the
attempt to assassinate the American Vice
Consul, Mr.. Magelssen, followed by an
attempt on Saturday last of an armed
Moslem, with two accomplices, to force
on fraT f1fn h ,f
can resident, were incidents not calculated
to give any one too great a sense of Sc
curity, and the arrival of the American
cruisers in the midst of these troubles
brought great relief, especially to the for
eign residents Of the city,