The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-08-27
ASSASSlNATED.
American Consul Murdered at
Beirut, Syria.
He Was Killed While Riding in
a Carriage.
Prompt Reparation Demanded
by State Department.
NAVAL ORDERS ISSUE.
Admiral Cotton Commanded to
Hold Himself Ready
To Sail With His Squadron to
- I,
NAVAL ORDERS ISSUE.
To Sail With His Squadron to
the Turkish Coast.

Washington. Aug. 27.-The state de-
partment has received a cablegram
from Minister Leischman at Constanti-
nople announcing that William c. Mag
elesse1, United States vice consul at
Beirut, Syria, was assassinated yester-
day while riding in a carriage. The
American minister Immediately brought
the crime to the attention of the gov
ernment and demanded action by Tur-
key. Acting Secretary Loomis today
cabled Minister Leischman, instructing
him to demand the immediate arrest
and punishment of the persons guilty
of the murder. No demand for money
indemnity for the mans family has yet
been made, but that probably will fol-
low. Magelessen was appointed from
Minnesota.
Admiral Cotton, commanding the Eu-
ropean squadron, has been cabled by
the navy department to have his YES
sells in readiness to move to Beirut,
which is on the eastern shore of the
Mediterranean sea in case the demands
of the United States government upon
the Turkish government are not COM
piled with.
The Brooklyn and the San Francisco
are at Villefranche and the Machias is
at Genoa.
Magelessen, who is a Scandinavian,
was appointed vice consul at Beirut
September d, 1899, by Consul Gabriel
Bic Ravedal who is of the same nation
ality. At the time of his appointment
as vice consul he was a consular clerk
in Turkey. Magelessen was appointed on
the recommendation of Senator Nelson
of Minnesota, who says that he was the
son of prominent Lutheran minister.
a Of
county. MINI.
Minister Leischman's cablegram was
dated yesterday and Stated that the
assassination occurred Sunday tie
minister being Informed of, the crime
by Consul Rayndal The consul stated
that the murderer was not seen and is
not known.
The announcement of the assassina-
tion of the American vice consul fol-
lowing so soon upon the assassination
of a Russian consul in Turkey created
strong comment in official circles and
the suggestion was made that such fire.
Quent assassinations indicate a very
disturbed condition of affairs in the
Turkish dominions. Minister Leisch-
man gave no particulars of the assas-
sina ton and the state department has
no information as to the cause of the
murder. The American government
will insist that the local authorities be
punished if they were derelict in their
ishment be given the actual perpetra
tors of the outrage.
Beirut is city on the eastern shore
of the Mediterranean sea and is
place of considerable commercial i'm
portance. 1t is probable that the action
of the Turkish government an the
condition existing at Beirut ~ill deter
mine whether the European SO Iadron
shall be sent to Turkish waters. I'm
less the Turkish government acts
promptly upon the demar~; made by
the United States government # is ex-
pected that the European squadron Will
at once move eastward.
The state department forwarded
Minister Leischman's dispatch to the
president at Oyster Bay and is now in
communication with him.
ST. Paul. Mimi, Aug. 27.-William
Magelessen. vice consul at Beirut. who
was assassinated Sunday, is a young
man and is a brother-in-law of Consul
Rayndal. who appointed him about two
years ago