The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-08-28
Presents Turkish Foreign Office
With American Demands
For Immediate Investigation of
Magelssen Murder.
RECEIVES A PROMISE.
Admiral Cotton Has Been Order
ed to Sail at Once
With His Squadron for Nearest
Turkish Port.
START THIS EVENING.
Brooklyn Will Not Wait For the
Others.
START THIS EVENING.

Washington, Aug 2s - Minister
Leischman cables the state department
that he called at the foreign office
again last night and presented the
American demands for an immediate
investigation of the reported assassina-
tion of. Vice Consul Magelssen at
Beirut The minister for foreign af-
fai-s while denying all knowledge of
the affair and attempting to discredit
the report. on the fnsistence of Minister
Leichsman promised that an immediate
investigation would follow and that the
Turkish government would take steps
10 find out and punish the guilty.
MIR. Leischman states that Macedon-
fan conditions are growing constantly
more acute and that the situation in
that section is extremely grave.
In his cablegram to Minister Leisch-
man last night regarding the report of
the American missionaries that an at
tempt had been made to burn the
Euphrates college buildings att Har-
poot, Acting Secretary Loomis instruct
I'd him to demand of the Turkish gov
Crument that it take immediate steps
Tor the protection of the lives of all
americans there.
SAIL THIS EVENING.
Nice. France, Aug. 2S.-In Conse-
inent at Washington the United States
cruisers Brooklyn and San Francisco,
ow at Villefranche, will sail this even
ing for Genoa, where they will rejoin
The Machias. After coaling at Genoa,
The American ships will sail for Beirut.
LONDON is NOTIFIED.
London, Aug 2S.-The foreign office
has received dispatch from the British
, consul at Beirut, notifying the author
fsies here of the assassination of Will
liam G. Magelssen, the United States
vice consul at that place. No details
@re given, and this, coupled with the
fact that there have been no develop
1nents since the assassination was re-
ported leads the British officials to con-
clude that no anti-foreign uprising has
occurred.
CONSTANTINOPLEH HAS HEARD.
Constantinople, Aug. 2S.-News of the
assessina ton of United States Vice Con-
sui Magelssen at Beirut, Syria, while he
WAS driving homeward Sunday reached
here yesterday morning. The assassin
IS unknown and there are no further
Cetails.
United States Minister Leishman on
hearing of the outrage, proceeded imme-
oiateIy to the foreign office to confer
with Tewfik Pasha.
Lack of proper protection for the pub
lie in Beirut has been commented on fer
some time The porte has even sent a
commission of inquiry there but moth
ing has resulted
COMMENT AMONG SYRIANS
New York, Aug. 2S.-In the large
Syrian colony of this city the news OF
the assassination of Magelssen, vice
consul at Beirut, Syria, caused much
comment. 1t was believed that he had
either fallen a victim to the fanatical
hatred of a MuSSulman for a Christian
or because of his efficient and earnest
labors in behalf of his country and
Countrymen. Chancellor McCraclxen, OF
New York university, who has just re-
turned from Beirut, where he visited his
sick son, started home about July 15 He
said:
THE murdered vice consul was
prompt, intelligent and able in the
transaction of business. The American
consulate. under his chief and himself
easily held the first place in reputation
among the foreign consulates in Beirut
The Syrian protestant college which
exists under board of trustees. char
tered by the state of New York, found
the vice consul a helpful friend. He pro-
moted zealously a field day held this
year and helped to secure the attend
anCe of the governor of Lebanon, who
came with full staff and military ban6
y playing American national airs. Magel-
'.esen's courage in pursuing criminals
Fprobably caused the assassination. Old
u er residents of Beirut had assured hin
Z that for Christians to appear in cour1
against Moslems to testify to theii
crimes was to invite assassination. A
recent murder of a man in American
employ had been left almost without in
quiry because witnesses were complete
~ terrOrlzed.
Several native Syrians expressed the
belief that the murder was not of a po-
Iitical nature but resulted from a per
sonal affair.
BROOKLYN WILL NOT WAIT.
Washington. Aug. 2S.-The Brooklyn
will proceed with all speed to Beirut ano
viii not wait for the Machias. which is
"a much slower vessel. Acting Secretary
Darling this morning telegraphed th'
commanding officer of the Machias
Genoa. instrueting him To follow tn
Brooklyn to Port Said, where he is Il
coal and await orders 1t is expected
the San Francisco will accompany tn
Machias.
SKETCH OF MAGELSSEN.
Lacrosse, Wis. Aug. 2S.-William c
Beirut. was born in Bratsborg, Fillmore
county. Mimi. October 10. 1873 He wal
educated in the Luther college, at Deco
rah. Ia. After remaining there severa
years he went to Sioux Falls. $. p
where he edited the South Dakota Ech'
for three years. afterwards he returned
to the Luther college and finished hi:
course. 1t was while in Decorah tina
he was appointed vice consul at Beirut
Syria, by the late President Mckinley
Recently he received word from United
States Senator Knute Nelson that HI
would probably be transferred to somt
other post and promoted, according Il
tidings in his last letter home. HI
leaves a father. Rev. Christian Magel
ssen and mother. of Highland Prairie
MINI, and three brothers, Rev. H G
Magelssen of La Crosse; L. D Magel
esen a merchant at Vermillion, S. D.
and N. S. Magelssen, a theological stu
Gent. There are also two sisters. Mrs