The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-08-27
US. VICE CONSUL
ASSASSINATED
William G. Magelssen, Formerly of
Minnesota, rs Killed at
Beirut, Syria.
Naval Department Promptly Tele-
graphs Admiral Cotton to Pre-
pare for Service.
Fleet Will Be Sent to Turkey Unless
American Demands Are
Met Promptly.

Washington. Aug 27.-The state depart
ment has received a cablegram from
Minister Leishman at Constantinople an
nouncing that William G. Magelssen
United States vice consul at Beirut
Syria, was assassinated yesterday while
riding In a carriage.
The American minister Immediately
brought the crime to the attention OF the
government and demanded amends by
Turkey.
Acting Secretary LOOMS to-day cabled
Mr.. Leishman instructing him to demand
the immediate arrest and punishment OF
the persons guilty Of the murder.
No demand for money indemnity Tor
the mans family has yet been made, Dut
probably will follow. MagelsSen was ap-
pointed from Minnesota.
Fleet May Go to Turkey.
Admiral Cotton, commanding the Euro
pean squadron, has been cabled by the
navy department to have his vessels IN
readiness to move to Beirout, which Is
on the eastern shore Of the Mediterra-
mean sea, in case the demands Of the
United States government upon the Tur-
kish government are not complied with.
The Brooklyn and the San Francisco are
at Vile Franche and the Mach1as is at
Genoa Magelssen was appointed vice
consul at Beirout Sept. 20, 1890. by Con-
sui Gabriel Bieravudal, who is Scandi-
navian At the time of his appointment
as vice consul he was consular clerk in
Turkey Magelssen was appointed on the
recomm enda ton of Senator Nelson of
Minnesota, who says that he was the son
of a prominent Lutheran minister He
was born at Blatzburg, Fillmore county,
Minnesota.
~. Murderer Is Not Known.
Minister Leishman's cable was dated
yesterday and said that the assassination
occurred Sunday, the minister being in
formed of the crime by Consul Rouvadal.
The consul stated that the murderer was
not seen and Is not known.
The announcement of the sassina tion
of the American vice consul, following SC
soon upon the assassination Of Russian
consul in Turkey, created a strong i'm
preston in official circles, and the sug-
gestion was made that such frequent as
sassinations indicate very disturbed
condition of affairs in the Turkish do
mains. Mr.. Leishman gave no particulars
of the assassination and the state depart
ment has no information as to the cause
of the murder. The American govern
ment will insist that the local authorities
be punished if they were neglectful IN
their duty. and that full measure of pun
ishuent be given the actual perpetrators
of the outrage.
1t Is Up to Turkey.
Beirout Ia a city on the eastern coast
of the Mediterranean sea and is place
Of considerable commercial activity The
action Of the Turkish government will
determine or not whether the European
squadron is to be sent to Turkish waters.
Unless the Turkish government acts
promptly upon the demands made by the
United States government, it Is expected
the European squadron will at once move
eastward.
The state department forwarded Mr.
Leishman's dispatch to the president al
Oyster Bay, and Is now in communication
with him on the subject