The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-09-08
CLASH AT BEIRUT.
Fierce Brawl Between the Chris
tain and MuSsulmans.
Firearms and Knives Used on
Both Sides.
FIVE OR SIX KILLED.
Many We're Wounded and the
City Is Excited.
General Revolt in SalOnica is
Expected Next Week.


dispatch from Beirut. received at one
of the embassies here. states that
| fierce brawl occurred there yesterday
| between parties of Mussulmans and
Christians. 1t was due to a shot fired
/ by Mussulman upon Christian en-
plCyed at the American college. The
Christian was wounded.
The fight broke out while the vail
was on board the United States cruiser
Brooklyn returning Admiral Cotton's
visit. No further details have been re-
ceived. In Diplomatic circles here it is
regarded as being serious, and a re-
newal of the disturbances is feared.
| An official version of the Beirut affair
| telegraphed later to the Ottoman am
| bassadors abroad for communication to
the powers, says that Christians were
the assailants. they having fired upon
four Mussulmans. A fight ensued dur
ing which Mussulmans and Christians
came to the assistance of their respec-
tive compatriots. This, says the re-
port. compelled the troops to interfere
and they succeeded in restoring order.
Three soldiers were wounded and one
was killed. while one Christian was
killed and one wounded. These figures
evidently are incorrect, as the rioters
must have lost more heavily than the
military.
The British consul at Beirut immedi-
and threatened to ask Rear Admiral
| Cotton to land marines from the Amer
lean squadron in the event of the re-
newal of the disturbances.
In official circles here the disturb
ances are attributed to the arrival of
the American squadron and the belief
is expressed that the Christians at
Beirut are endeaVOring to bring about
the landing of marines from the war
ships-
DETAILS OF THE OUTBREAK.
Paris, Sept. S.-Official advices re-
ceived by the foreign office here give
brief details of the outbreak at Beirut.
| The killed number five or six and many
persons were wounded. The city is in
an intense state of agitation.
The outbreak occurred during the
night of September. 6, between Chris
tians and Mussulmans. The fighting
was furious, fierarms and knives being
used. The Italian consul rescued one
Christian who had been stabbed and
who had fallen in front of the door of
the consulate.
This was the first information re-
ceived here showing the really serious
conditions prevailing at Beirut 1t
caused much apprehension in official
quarters as being an indication of the
spread of the disorder in the Turkish
| empire. The presence of the United
States cruisers Brooklyn and San Fran
cisco at Beirut is regarded a fortu-
nate circumstance. 1t is expected that
a number of other foreign warships will
/ gather there.
The official reports further show that
Beirut is one of three places which are
now centers of great aggitation.
Smyrna, which hitherto had been COM
paratively quiet, is on the eve of out
break. Great excitement prevails there.
The authorities are in constant fear Oh
an outbreak but fortunately they have
been able thus far to prevent an en-
I % f0r hot 10 EhriSfianS nd
| MuSSulmans.
The Salonica advices are also again
very disquieting. 1t is expected that a
general revolt throughout the province
of Salonica will occur next week 1t Is
| the understanding among the foreign
| officials at Salonica that a general in
| Surrection will shortly be announced by
! the Macedonian committee. In view of
this expectation, rigid police measures
| have been taken by the vail, who is
showing much energy. Reports from
| Monastir say the insurrection in that
| district has been practically crushed by
the extreme measures taken by the
| Turkish troops. The officials here at
| tach significance to the report showing
that a number of Serbes have crossed
| the border and Joined the Maceronlan
revolutionists.
Reports from various points through
out Bulgaria show there is strong feel
| ing against Prince Ferdinand owing to
the fact that he left the country during
| the crisis. It is not expected, however,
that the agitators will succeed in carry
ing out their plots against his life.
SEVEN CHRISTIANS KILLED
Washington, Sept S-The state de-
partment has received cablegram from
| Minister Leischman, at Constantinople,
| in which he says that a riot occurred
yesterday at Beirut in which seven
| Christians were killed and several
wounded Two houses occupied by
Christians were pillaged by the soldiery.
The panic was general. An officer and
a signal man from Admiral Cotton's
fleet are now in the consulate and an
| investigation of conditions at Beirut is
being made by a flag lieutenant. Con-
sui Ravendale and other consular Off
GERS Mr. Leischman says that the ORR
gin of the trouble is not distinctly stat
ed by our consul He further says that
| it is claimed by the sublime porte that
conditions are again quiet and that the
force now there is sufficient to guarantee
the safety of the city Additional in
! StructionS have been sent Minister
Leischman along the lines already for
warded him, looking to the protection
of American citizens.
/ Lieutenant Charles L. Hussey is Ad-
miral Cotten's flag lieutenant and it is
presumed he is the officer making the
investigation.
NUMBER OF EUROPEANS SLAIN.
Berlin, Sept S.-A dispatch to the
Lokal Anzeiger from Constantinople
says thirty Christians, among them be-
/ ing SeVerdi europeans, WeQe killed our
ing the rioting at Beirut. The foreign
Office here has received no news tending
to confirm the report published by the
LokaI Anzeiger.
OBJECT TO u. S. WARSHIPS.
| London. Sept. S.-Oficia1 and diplo-
matte circles here regard the conflict be-
| tween Mussulmans and Christians at
| Beirut as evidence of the development
of hostile feeling throughout Turkey as
a result of the Macedonian revolt This
| is borne out by the threatened uprising
in Smyrna
The Turkish embassy today received