Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-08-29
TURKEY MUST ANSWER
Shooting at Consul as Grave
as Murder.
BATTLE SHIPS WILL 60
PRESIDENT RoosEvELT's ORDERS
TO BE EXECUTED.
Much Qualification That Consul Lives
Cipher Mistake Gave Erroneous
Information.

Dispatches from Oyster Bay state that
President Roosevelt was informed last
night by representative Of the Associated
Press of the incorrectness Of the report
that Vice Consul William c. Magelssen ut
Beirut, Syria, had been assassinated.
The President expressed qualification that
Consul Magelssen had escaped without in
jury from the assault Of the would-be MUIR
derer. He announced. however, that no
change at present would be made in the
plans of this government. and that the
European squadron. which he had ordered
to proceed Immediately to Beirut. would
continue to dts ordered destination.
Good Time to Be on Hand.
1t can be said that the President and
Secretary of State Hay both regard 1t ad-
visable. in view of the present state of
unrest in Turkey. to have American war
vessels in Turkish waters.
For, several hours President Roosevelt
and Secretary of State Hay were in con-
ference at Sycamore Hill. They discussed
every suggested phase Of the situation in
Turkey. At the conclusion of the confer
ence Secretary Hay announced his inten-
ton of returning Immediately to Wash
ington.
The fact that Secretary Hay considers
his presence in Washington necessary at
this time indicates the serious view he
takes of the Turkish situation.
Hay VIII Come Back.
He had not expected to return to Wash
ington for several weeks, but the develop
ments in the Ottoman empire during the
past few days induced him to go to
Oyster Bay for a conference with the Presi-
dent. after which 1t was deemed desirable
by both that he should return to Washing
ton at least for couple Of weeks.
The Secretary arrived from his summer
home in New Hampshire at 1920 pm. In a
driving rain storm he was conveyed to the
Presidents home in time for luncheon.
During the greater part of the afternoon
he was in conference with the President
At II o'clock last night a telegram was
received by Secretary Loeb from Acting
Secretary of State LOOMS. at Washing
ton. communicating the text of a cable
gram from Minister Leishman at Constan-
tinople confirming the Associated Press re-
port of the inaccuracy of the re2nr: of Con-
sui MagelSSen's assassination.
Program Will Be Carried Out.
AS soon as the message from the de-
partment was deciphered Secretary Loeb
communicated it's contents to the Presi-
dent by telephone. Minister Leishman
explains that the error occurred in de-
ciphering a telegram received from Con-
sui Ravndal at Beirut. concerning an at
tempt upon the life of Vice Consul Ma
gelssen. The text of Minister Leishman's
cablegram is not made public here.
1t can be said to be the purpose Of
President Roosevelt to afford American
citizens in the disturbed provinces of
Turkey all the protection possible. For
that reason and for others which may
develop in a short time the decision is
reached that no change at this time will
be made in the orders to the European
squadron. Admiral Cotton will proceed
with his vessels to Turkish waters with
the idea of safeguarding fully Americans
and American interests.
Shot at, but Escaped.
A New York dispatch received last even
ing says that in response to a telegram of
inquiry regarding the reported assassina-
ton of Vice Consul Magelssen at Beirut.
Syria, Mr.. Freyer, treasurer of the board
cabIed to the Associated Press as follows:
BEIRUT, Syria, August %.
Though the attack made on Vice Consul
bullets missed him and he escaped unin-
jured. FREYER"
Error Due to Cipher Mistake.
Constantinople dispatches state that the
report that Vice Consul Magelssen was
killed is incorrect. An unknown individual
fired at him and the bullet passed close
to the vice consul. but did not touch him.
The vail of Beirut afterward visited
Vice Consul Magelssen, expressed his re-
gretS for the outrage and ordered meas
ures for the arrest of the perpetrator.
The error in stating that Vice Consul
Magelssen had been killed arose from a
mistake In cipher telegram.