Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-08-27
KILLED BY THE TURKS
American Vice Consul Ma
gelssen Assassinated.
CRIME IN BEIR IT
COMMITTED SUNDAY, BUT STATE
DEPARTMENT JUST INFORMED.
Demand on Turkish Government for
Arrest and Punishment Of
Assassins.

The State Department has received
cablegram from Minister Leishman at Con-
stantinople announcing that William c.
Magelssen, United States vice consul at
Beirut, Syria, was ssassinated yesterday
while riding in a carriage. The American
minister Immediately brought the crime to
the attention of the government and de-
manded action by Turkey. Acting Secre-
tary Loomis today cabled Minister Leish-
man instructing him to demand the tmme-
date 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.
Magelssen, who was a Scandinavian, was
appointed vice consul at Beirut September
20, 1899, by Consul Gabriel Bic Ravudal,
who is of the same nationality. At the
time of his appointment as vice consul he
was a consular clerk in Turkey. Magels-
sen was appointed on the recommendation
of Sena tor Nelson of Minnesota, who says
that he was the son of prominent Lu-
theran minister. He was born at Brats-
burg, Fillmore county MINI.
Minister Leishman's cablegram was dated
yesterday and stated that the aSSaSSlna-
ton occurred Sunday, the minister being
informed of the crime by Consul Ravudal
not seen and is not known.
Strong Comment in Official Circles.
The announcement of the assassination
of this American vice consul, following SO
soon upon the assassination of a Russian
consul in Turkey created strong comment
in official circles, and the suggestion was
made that such assassnations were becom-
ing too frequent and indicated very dis
fI1rh af aff ffafr In hQ Tnrk Sh
dominions. Minister Leishman gave no
particulars of the assassination and the
State Department has no Information as to
the cause of the murder. Our government
will insist that the local authorities shall
be punished If they were ders4ict in their
duty and that full measure of punishment
be given the actual perpetrators Of the
outrage.
European Squadron to Be in Readiness.
Beirut Is a city on the eastern shore of
the Mediterranean sea and place of con-
siderable consequence. While nothing has
yet been done regarding the movement OF
the European squadron. Rear Admiral Cot
ton has been cabled to have the ships ready
to sail for Beirut If a request Is made. The
Brooklyn and San Francisco are at Vile
france and the Machias at Genoa 1t is
probable that the action of the Turkish
government and the condition existing at
Beirut will determine whether or not the
is sent lurK1Sh waters. The
Russian government ordered the Black sea
squadron to Turkish waters to enforce it's
demands for apology. reparation and In
demnity for the assassination of the Rus
sian consul and unless the Turkish govern
ment acts promptly upon the demands
made by the United States government 1t
Is expected that the European squa dron will
at once move eastward.
The State Department forwarded Minister
Leighman's dispatch to the President at
Oyster Bay, and is now in communication
with him on the subject.
A Brother-in-Law Of Consul Rayndal.
ST. PAUL. Mimi, August 27.-William C.
Magessen. vice consul at Beirut. Syria,
who assassinated yesterday, was a
young man. and was brother-in-law OF
Consul Rayndal, who appointed him. Consul
Rayndal is from North Dakota. Magelssen
was appointed from Freeborn county.
Mimi, about two years ago. 1t is not known
here whether he has a family of his own.
He is brother of Mrs. Rayndal.