Rural Retreat times. [volume] (Rural Retreat, Va.) 1892-1918, 1903-09-04
.BUNCLED CODE
CAUSE OF error
Wrong Number Was Used in Cabling
Account Of Attack on u. S. Vice.
Consul and President Orders
EUROPEAN SQUADRON TO beirut
American Vice-Consul to Syria Was
Not Killed, But Was Shot at
While Riding in His Carriage.
Turkey Promises to Punish
Would-be Assassin.
EUROPEAN SQUADRON TO BEIRUT
American vice-Consul to Syria Was


Consul Magelssen escaped with his life.
That he was not killed, however was
through no lack of intention. The
wouldbe assassin was only negligent
1t is well nevertheless that the battle
ship Brooklyn in speeding to Beirut
If an American vice-consul has been
fired upon there is situation which
calls for protection. The missionary
property at Harpoot has been menaced
SO the report goes, and Minister Leisch
man is of the opinion that bettleships
are needed. Turkey is in a turbulent
state, which is alike threatening to the
safety of foreigners and to the sprem
acy of the Sultan's rule. Insurrection-
lists are said to be within hundred
miles of Constantinople. Macedonia
has been for some time in a state Of
rebellion. With war within and threat
ened war without the Sick Mans condi
ton takes on more serious aspect. But
if Turkey should be wiped from the
map civilization would not suffer.
In the troublous times which seem to
be coming so fast for Turkey the lives
and property of American citizens must
be protected, and the presence of Amer,
lean battleships is imperative. For
once false rumor has served good
purpose, and the reported death of
Vice-Consul Magelssen may prevent
further assassinations.
Report Of the assassination of Ma
gelssen was due to the use of the wrong
code number and not to any error In
transmission. The information given
| in the cablegram was that the governor
called at the consulate and offered
prompt action and would make every
effort to find out and punish the would.
be assassin.
The officials of the, British foreign
office are greatly puzzled over the error
in it's official cable message announcing
the assassination of William G. Ma
gelssen, the vice-consul at Beirut, Syri'
The message was transmitted through
the British ambassador at CONSTANT
NOBLE, from the British consul at Bel
rut
The state department on Thursday
August 27, received telegram from
ut a MT n
announcing that William c. Magelssen
United States vice-consul at Beirut
SYRIA. had been assassinated Will
riding in a carriage.
The minister Immediately brough
the crime to the attention OF the gov
,rnment and demanded action by Tur
key.
The announcement of the assassina-
ion of the American vice-consul, fol
owing so soon upon the assassination
t Russian consul in Turkey created
,trong comment in official circles ant
he suggestion was made that sucf
requtnt assassinations indicate the
disturbed condition of affairs in thu
| turkish dominions.
| The Above telegram caused Acting
| Secretary Loomis to cable Minister
| eishman to demand the immediate ar
est and punishment of the guilty per
sons.
| President Roosevelt issued orders
lat the European squadron under com
mand of Admiral Cotton, proceed i'm
nediately to Beirut, Syria, to be IL
'eadiness to support any demand made
by the United States on Turkey on &C
count Of the attempted assassination o
William c. Mangelssen, United States
gice-consul at Beirut
The presidents determination to los
no time in getting the squadron to Bel
was also due in part to the infor
| nation received by Acting Secretar.
Loomis of the state department
from the president of the Ameri
can board of missions at Boston indi
cating that an attempt had been mad
to burn the Euphratee college build