Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1903-08-29
FROM WASHINGTON.
Correspondence of the Alexandria Gazette

CORRESPONDENCE OF the Ale1anurla Oa1etVc'I
Washington, d. c.. August 20.
Though the tragedy of the situation
has dropped out with the correction OF
the statement that Vice Consul Magelssen
was murdered, attempts are being made
here to produce the impression that the
presence of the U. S. squadron is needed
ut Beirut in consequence OF the alleged
uncertain condition of affairs which exists
in that city and vicinity. 1t is asserted
that the missionaries at Harpoot are In
hourly peril and those at less populous
centres must be still more exposed. 1t is
farther said thatseveral ofthe foreign con-
suls have notified their governments that
SYRIA is an unsafe place Of residence for
aliens. Exactly what measures will be
adopted to protect those persons situated
At distance from the seaboard is not yet
decided but in this Admiral Cotton will
ne given a tree hand and should the
conditions warrant he may land forces
IF marines. At the State Department
it is said that this is warranted under the
law of nations whenever the ruling SOW
ereign proves unable to afford safety to
foreigners within his domain. The de-
partmeat has already received assurances
informal in their nature from each OF
he mowers interested in Turkish affairs
hat no obstacles will be placed in the
way of the United States regardless of
its mode of procedure. The Navy De-
partment was informed this morning
that Admiral Cotton is now at Genoa,
coaling, with the Brooklyn and San
Francisco, en- route to Beirut.
Secretary Hay returned to Washing
ton this morning and reassumed charge
of the State Department. Nothing has
developed over night in connection
with the Turkish situation, Minister
Leishman reporting that the Turkish
government has promised to use Its
utmost endeavors to apprehend and
punish the man who shot at Vice Con-
sui Magelassen. The warships will con-
tinue to Beirut and patrol the coast.
1t is authoritatively stated at the
State Department that no suggestion OF
war with Colombia over the Panama
canal occurred in the conference between
Secretary Hay and the President at
Oyster Bay yesterday. That conference
consumed about four hours and in its
course the treaty, many like other subjects,
was discussed, but there was no intima-
ton of possible war The administra-
ton stands where it did originally-Co-
lombia must adopt the treaty or re-
iect it. This government would not OBJ
iect to unessential changes, but it would
most seriously object to any amendments
to the spirit of the agreement. 1t IS the
belief here, which is not at all new, that
Colombia is planning a raid upon the
Panama Canal Company. To see that
organization walk away with $40, 600, 900
in cold cash of the United States stamp
Is too much for the Colombian patriots
and they are now believed to be devising
WAYS and means to squeeze a portion
out of the company even at the risk OF
killing the goose that is to lay the gold
en- eggs. Meanwhile this government
will await the return of common sense
to the Colombian Congress.
The Comptroller of the Treasury has decid-
ed that w. A. Miller, the discharged foreman
in the bookbindery Of the Government Print
ing Office who was refnstated by order Of the
President, is not entitled to pay during the
time he was out of office.