The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1903-08-29
CONSUL ASSASSINATED
Our Representative at Beirut Is
Killed While Out Driving.
ACTION DEMANDED OF TURKEY


ACTION DEMANDED OF TURKEY
Minister Lelshman Asks For lmmedl'
ate Punishment Of Persons Guilty
OF Murder-European Squadron Or
dered to Beirut.
Washington. Aug. 2S.-Prompt and
vigorous action is being taken by the
United States government to secure the
punishment OF those persons implicat-
cd In the assassination OF United
States Vice Consul William c. Magels-
sen. at Beirut. Syria. on Sunday last
while he was out driving. Minister
Leishman at Constantinople. who re-
ported the fact 10 the state depart
ment, has been instructed to de
mand a thorough investigation
of the affair and the pun
ishment OF those involved In the crime
and the European squadron has been
ordered TO proceed Immediately To
Beirut TO support the demands Of the
United States minister should this be
found necessary. This latter measure
was determined upon as a result Of con-
ferences which have been held over the
telegraph and telephone wires between
the officials here and the president at
Oyster Bay. The latter felt that no
time should be lost in dispatching Ad-
miral Cottons squadron TO Turkish
waters. and he gave instructions TO
Acting Secretary Darling that imme-
diate orders be given Admiral Cotton
TO proceed at once.
The presidents determination to lose
no time in getting the squadron TO Bel
rut was also due Ia part to information
received by Acting Secretary LOOMS,
of the state department, from the presi-
dent Of the American Board OF Mis-
sions at Boston. indicating that an at
tempt had been made to burn the Eu-
pirates college buildings at Harpoot.
In the absence OF particulars no
motive can be ascribed for the crime,
and the state department officials have
no means OF suggesting a theory as
to why the vice consul should have
been killed. There have been no COM
plants about him or his work. and the
meagre cablegrams convey not the
slightest suggestion OF cause for
the crime.
Admiral Cotton. commanding the
European squadron, has been cabled
by the navy department to have his
vessels in readiness 10 move 10 Beirut,
which is on the eastern shore of the
Mediterranean sea. in case the da-
mands of the United States govern
ment upon the Turkish government
are not complied with. The Brook
lyn and the San Francisco are at Vile
franche and the Machias IS at Genoa
Mr.. Magelssen was 30 years old.
having been born In 1878. He was edu-
Gated in the common schools OF Min
nesota and was a student OF the col
lege at Deborah. la. where he gradu-
ated three years ago For time he
was assistant city assessor OF Sioux
Falls. S. d., and also associate editor
Of a paper called the Echo. published
there.
Magelssen. whose father was
Scandinavian. was appointed vice con
sui 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. Ma
gelssen was appointed on the recon-
mendation Of Senator Nelson. Of Min
nesota. who says that he was the son
OF a prominent Lutheran minister. lie
was born at Bratsburg, Fillmore coun-
ty. MINI.
The department will not declare It's
entire policy in the matter until
fuller report from Minister Leishman
has been received.
Beirut IL in Syria Its population
Is about 100000 The American min
lister to Turkey. John G. A. Leishman,
is Pennsylvania man. He was sent
to Turkey In 1900. From 1897 10 1900
he was minister TO Switzerland.
The announcement Of the assassina-
ton of the American vice consul. fol-
lowing so soon upon the assassination
OF Russian consul in Turkey, created
strong comment in official circles. and
the suggestion was made that such fire.
ouent assassinations indicate a very
disturbed condition Of affairs In the
Turkish dominions.
Minister Leishman gave no particu'
lars OF the assassination. and the state
department has no information as TO
the cause of the murder. The Ameri-
can government will Insist that the
local authorities be punished If they
we're derelict in their duty and that
full measure of punishment be given
the actual perpetrators of the outrage.
Beirut is a city on the eastern shore
OF the Mediterranean sea, and is
place OF considerable commercial I'M