Arizona republican., 1903-08-31
The Affair at Beirut.

because or the attempted aSSaSSi- nation of the American vice consul at Beirut. but the result will be an object lesson to all nations as to the vigor with which American interests in all parts of the world are protected by this govern ment. The celerity with which Presi- dent Roosevelt despatched our Euro pean squadron to Turkish waters was in refreshing contrast with the delib- eration which characterized our treat ment of such questions down to a few years ago, and doubtless there are con- servatiye citizens who will insist now that, properly. the president should have awaited full details and .explana- tions of the Beirut affair from our min ister at Constantinople before making a naval demonstration. But MT. Roose- welt did exactly right. Prompt action is one of the essentials if the American flag is to have the respect everywhere that is it's due and if all countries are to understand that no American citizen can be outraged with impunity.
 l. may develop that MT. Magelssen was assaulted unCer circumstances sim liar to those which arise in all civilized lands and in the most peaceable com munities-from causes having no con- nection whatsoever with religious, racial or political questions-and that the Turkish authorities are not charge able with any blame. No government is to be held to account because mur- ders are done within it's territory. This is true, even when foreigners lose their lives in riots growing cut of race diff ferences- Prompt punishment of the guilty persons, and the fullest measures for the protection of all foreigners con- stitute about all that can be demanded of one nation by another. This has been made clear by the United States at the various times when China Italy, Austria, and other countries severa.lly have undertaken to hold our govern mcnt responsible for the killing of their citizens by American moDs. But even if il be true that the Beirut affair comes under the head suggested, no reliable facts are yet at hand to establish such theory. Disorder is prevalent in many Turkish provinces. and the Turkish government itself is weak, uncertain and seldom disposed to protect foreign CTS who happen to be in Turkish terri tory. Il should be remembered that when President Roosevelt was advised that a representative of this govern ment had been murdered at Beirut, i. was not as if such a. deplorable thing had happened in England, Germany, or France. Were an American consul to lose his life in either of those coun- tries. it would be taken for granted that the local authorities were not at fault and that the murderer would be promptly punished. and so there would be calm wait for presenta ton of the facts by our diplomatic representative. A demonstration by the fleet would be out of the question. But the methods of the Turkish government have shown that the sultan pays no attention to any diplomacy except the diplomacy that is backed up by loaded cannon. In making it clear to Turkeys ruler that the assassination of our consuls will not be tolerated there will be an oppor- tunity for the United States tc manifest also the fact that Americans are tired of the manner in which Turkey habit ually treats American complaints.
 But there will be no war. Had
 
 the negligence oi the Turkish authorities. there would still be little chance for Uncle Sam to give Turkey a. drubbing. The normal inertia of the Turk gives place to an eager and prostrate crawling to make amends as soon as he finds real trouble in store for him. And especially can it be taken for granted that the United States will not become involved in the Balkan troubles because of the shot at our consul. There is no connection between the insurrcction in Eu- ropean Turkey and the attempted murder of a consul in Beirut. This country has no interest in the Balkan question, and but little care for the people engaged in the effort to involve Turkey in a war with Russia or Aus tria The Macedonian or Bulgarian Christian" is quite as much of a cut threat as his Mussulman neighbor, anf has just as little conception of true civilization. liberty. and self govern mont. knowing all this. | rince Bis marCk. who was the embodi ment of sanity, years age wearily remarked The whole eastern question is not worth the bone of one Prussian grenadier," and this il