The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-08-28
Assassination Of Vice Consul
In Syria to Be Avenged.
ORDERS TO The SQUADRON
No Time TO Be- Lost In Setting to the Scene
Of thslatsst Turkish AtToclN.

ovs,er Ray. n. Y. Aug. 2s.-President
Roosevelt has issued orders that the Eu-
ropean squadron. under command OF Al
mlral Cotton, must proceed forthwlth 10
Beirut. Syria, To meet any demand maoe
nv the United States on Turkey on az
connt Of the assassination OF William Z.
Ararelssen. United States vice consul al
Beirut. -,-,,,..r
THE president manifested anxious inter-
sst IN the announcement OF the assassina-
alton OF Vice Consul Magelssen, the nrst
Information concerning which was CON
yeyed TO him by a representative OF 'he
Associated Press.
tion with the department and VIII be kept
advised fully of the details or the ilci-
dent as they are ascertained.
For several days President Roosevelt
has been following closely the deVelop-
ments OF the situation I'm Turkey. with
view TO considering the subject the more
carefully. the president and Secretary OF
State Hay had arranged for a conference
this afternoon at Sagamore Hill. Inc
secretary Is now en- route TO oyster Bay
PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE.
In the absence OF definite Information
concerning the assassination or vice Con
sui Magelssen. the president will take no
decided action beyond that already taken
IN ordering the European squadron 10
Beirut.
This action Is viewed now as precau-
tionary measure. II Is the nnrt de,erm'haz ,is
demands upon Turkey for the punish.
ment OF the murderer or murderers OF
Mr.. Magelssen. but until the circum-
stances surrounding the murder are
known officially and precisely the United
States. II is stated Will not take any
drastic action.
States be afforded protection for tneir
lives and property will be made, ana Inc
Turkish government Will be held respon,,
sible for the assassination OF Consui
Magelssen. whatever may be the circum-
stances OF the case.
The European squadron is so situated
that IL wifi require severHf days Tor IL
TO rendezvous at Beirut. Meantime the
officials of the state department Will be
fully advised by Minister Leishman OF
the details OF the crime, and the presi-
dent then will be in a position TO present
10 Turkey the demands OF the United
States with a naval force on the spot
of sufficient strength to enforce them
adequately.
TO PUNISH OFFENDERS.
Prompt and vigorous action Is being
TO secure the punishment OF all persons
implicated in the assassination of United
States Minister Magelssen at Beirut,
Syria. Sunday last. Minister Leishman
at Constantinopie, who reported the fact
to the state department, has been In
structed by the state department 10 de-
mand thorough investigation OF the az
fair and the punishment OF those involved
in the crime. and the European squadron,
consisting OF three warships, has been
ordered to proceed Immediately to Bel
rut 10 support the demands Of the United
States minister should this be found ne
cessary.
The presidents determination TO lose
no time in getting the squadron 30 Beirut
was also due In part TO information re-
ceived by Acting Secretary Loomis OF
the state department from the president
of the American board OF missions at Bos-
ton indicating that an attempt has beer
made TO burn the Euphrates college build
ings at Harpoot. This dispatch said:
''Information just received says that al
attempt has been made TO burn the Eu-
pirates college buildings. Conditions In
creasingly alarming. Great anxiety fell
for the safety of American citizens
there"
Acting Secretary Loomis cabled 10 Min
lister Lelshman at Constantinople TO MAKE
adequate measures for the protection o
all Americans at Beirut. and to proven
any attack on the college buildings.
SQUADRON MUST GET THERE,
Acting Secretary of the Navy Darlin
sent this cablegram at 1910 this morn
ing to Rear Admiral Cotton at Nice:
"yice consul at Beirut reported assas
sinated. Proceed Immediately neares
port. Report.
(Sgned) DARLING.
IL is expected the squadron will &c
away Immediately upon the receipt O
this cablegram. the Brooklyn. San Fran
cisco and Machias going together.
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