Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-09-01
five ARRESTS MADE
Minister Leishman Insists on
Investigation.
SQUADRON PUSHES ON
DIPLOMATS APPROVE ROosE-
VELT'S ACTION.
Turkey Must Understand Importance
of Protecting American Subjects
Who Are There.

CONSTANTINOPLE, September 1.-The
porte has notified Minister Leishman that
five arrests have been made at Beirut in
connection with the shooting which led to
the report that William c. Magelssen. the
United States vice and deputy consul there,
had been assassinated.
The Turkish officials continue to insist
that no attempt was made on the vice con-
sul's life, and they reassert that the whole
story originated in a feu-de-joie fired on
the occasion of a native marriage and in
accordance with custom.
Mr.. Leishman, however, refuses to accept
such an explanation without conclusive
proof that the judicial investigation con-
tinues.
Attempt to Burn American College.
The attempt to burn the American col
lege at Kharput occurred five weeks ago,
and apparently was the work of an individ-
ual who considered he had a grievance
against the college authorities.
When Mr.. Leishman informed of the
attempt he demanded that the porte pro-
tect the American institution, and in con-
se,Eience of his representations instructions
We're sent to the authorities at Kharput to
try In the regular courts the charge against
fifty ArmenianS accused of traff1cking in
arms and engaging in other seditious acts.
Among the accused is Prof. Tenekedjian
of the American college, whose treatment
In prison pending his trial was also ordered
to be improved.
Wants Definite Settlement.
Mr.. Leishman is pressing for a definite
settlement of a number of matters on which
agreements were reached with the Turkish
authorities last year. but which in spite Of
frequent promises on the part of the porte
have never been executed.
still in prison at Tripon, Syria, although
the porte has frequently informed Mr..
Leishman that the authorities at Beirut.
who have Jurisdiction over Tripoli had
been ordered to liberate him.
Yesterday Mr.. Leishman received tele-
gram from Rear Admiral Cotton. dated
from Genoa, Italy, Sunday evening, an
nouncing that the United States warships
Brooklyn and San Francisco would arrive
off Beirut at the end of this week.
Roosevelt's Action Approved.
The American officials here attribute the
dispatch of the warshps to Turkish waters,
not solely to the Magelssen affair. but to
the general dissatisfaction of the authori-
ties at Washington at the non-fulfillment
of the porte's promises in regard to pend
Ing questions and to the determination Of
President Roosevelt to show Turkey that
she cannot trif1e with American representa-
tives.
Diplomatic circles here generally approve
of the energetic action of the United States,
which, 1T is pointed out. Is amply justified
by the bad faith of Turkey and 1t is felt
here that the appearance of the United
States warships in Turkish waters will lead
to the immediate settlement of the pending
disputes.
Battle Ships Impress.
Nothing so impresses the porte as naval
demonstration. and the diplomats claim
that this will be specially noticeable in the
present case, as the Americans are not fet-
tered like other powers by agreements
regulating the international political affairs
of Turkey.
The government has imposed a personal
or land tax on the entire population of the
empire over the age of eighteen. The tax
is on different classes and ranges from
about eighty cents to $500 each annually.
This is regarded in some quarters as being
in the nature of provision for war.
Cruisers Pass Messina.
MESSINA, Sicily. September 1.-The
United States cruisers Brooklyn and San
Francisco passed through the Straits Of
Messina at IL 20 am today bound south.
The Semaphore saluted the warshipS, wish
ing them good luck.