Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-09-01
VICE CONSUL STILL LIVES But
WARSHIPS WILL Go TO TURKEY

AAAS 1A4A ~ w ALFALFA
arrival at Washington at this time is
not due to the occurrences in Turkey,
but in accordance with arrangements
made at the time of his departure for
Oyster Bay.
No Explanation.
Minister Leishmann's message said
the error in reporting the death OF
Vice Consul Magelssen occurred in the
transmission OF dispatch from Beirut
to Constantinople but he does not eX-
plain how it occurred. State depart
ment officials are entirely in the dark
on this point, but they are delighted
to learn that the life OF a valuable Of
fetal has been spared. They are also
well pleased because the situation is
relieved Of its acute phase in this par
ticular.
What Turkey Has Escaped.
While it was still believed
that an American official had actually
been murdered. the state department
officials had taken steps toward dras-
tic measures. 1t was decided that II
Turkey did not comply promptly with
American demands Minister Leishman
would be directed to place the affairs
of the American embassy in the hands
of the British ambassador, sever all
diplomatic relations with Turkey and
leave Constantinople.
Further than this Rear Admiral Cot
ton was to have been instructed .
seize IL necessary. one or more Turk
ish ports and hold them until American
demands were complied with.
These extreme measures, of course,
were contingent on showing that the
Turkish government had not moved
promptly or that it was secretly en-
couraging acts like that of Sunday in
order to discourage the work of Ameri-
can missionaries in the Turkish do
minion.
Missionaries in Danger.
Acting Secretary Loomis sent a
cablegram to United States Consul
Thomas H. Norton. at Harpoot, asking
for information concerning the out
RACES reported from there.
Another urgent appeal has reached
the state department from the Ameri
can board of missions at Boston that
immediate steps be taken for the pro-
lection of American citizens at Har
poot. The boards dispatches from
there for several days have represented
the situation as extremely grave.
There are at the Euphrates college
at Harpoot, fourteen American teach
ers beside women and children anC
property to the value of 100000. There
is an American college at Beirut, il
which are number of American
teachers.
Near a Reign of Terror.
A situation bordering on reign OF
terror prevails in Asiatic Turkey, and
missionaries at Harpoot are in hourly
dread of losing their lives and prop.
erty. Threats to burn the college at
Harpoot are rife. Christians are in.
suited on the streets and assaults have
;been committed on foreigners, though
the attemptoon the life ofjVice Consul
liMagelssen appears to have been the
gravest incident Wide, unrest and, ap
prehensioni of revolution are re
ported throughout Turkey and Asia
I Minor. leIso*+tff.s, Is5fi
Turkey Near Revolution.
Early in the day cablegram was
received from Minister Leishman
who stated that the conditions in
Macedonia were critical, and that a
general revolution in Turkey appear
ed to be imminent. The news, with
that of the attempted burning of the
Euphrates college and the defenseless
condition of American citizens in sew
eral portions of the Turkish empire
show that American interests are be
! coming involved in general chaoes il
| Turkey, and that while the Magelsser
| incident becomes in significant in itself
| it has been of value in directing sharI
attention to the state of affairs in Tur
| key. This situation alone would de
| mand the presence of an American
squadron, and it may be necessary tt
reinforce it by ordering other vessels
to join it,
Roosevelt Holds to First Plan.
Oyster Bay N. Y, Aug. 29.-Presi
dent Roosevelt, when informed las
night of the incorrectness of the re
port that Vice Consul William G. Ma
gelssen at Beirut, Syria, had been as
sassinated, expressed qualification
He announced, however that nj
change at present would be made il
| liiS pAduo VI tulo SOPSl ulllSlll, Giu liz
the European squadron, which was or
dered to proceed Immediately to Bel
rut, would continue to its ordered des
tination.
1t can be said that the Presiden
and Secretary of State Hay both re
gard it advisable, in view of the pres
ent state of unrest in Turkey to hav'
American war vessels in Turkish wa
tiers.
ELECTRIC COMPANY AT kEoKUK
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