The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-08-28
We SEND A FLEET TO BEIRUT.
ACTION on THE MURDER OF w. G..
MAGELSSEN, OUR VECE-CONSUL.
Strong Demand for Redress to He Made
lpon the Sultan--Delay VIII Not Be
Tolerated by This Presi-

WAsHrNGToN, Aug. 27.-A cablegram re-
porting the assassination of United States
vice-Consul and Deputy Consul William
C. Magelssen at Beirut, Syria. was received
at the State Department this morning from
United States Minister Leshman at Con-
stantinople Within an hour after the
receipt of the despatch instructions were
sent to Minister Leshman to use most
vigorous measures to impress the Sultan
with the gravity of the case, He was told
that he should demand the immediate
apprehension and conviction of the muir
derer. From the tone Of his instructions,
il is evident that this Government does not
propose to tolerate any delay by the Turkish
authorities, but will, if necessary, take
drastic measures to arouse Turkey TO
full realization of the seriousness of tho
situation,
The despatch from Minister Leishman
was forwarded to the President and copy
was also sent to the Bureau of Navigation
Of the Navy Department. This evening
orders came from the President, directing
that Admiral Cottons fleet be ordered to
Beirut at once.
Immediately upon receipt of the Presi-
dents Instructions tonight, Acting Sec
rotary of the Navy Darling cabled to Rear
Admiral Cotton, commanding the European
squadron, now at Nice, to proceed at once
TO Beirut Meanwhile Rear Admiral Cot
ton had replied to the Departments instruc-
tons Of this morning, directing him to be
in readiness to proceed to Turkish waters.
His reply was to the effect that the Brook
lvn had seven days supply OF coal and
the San Francisco six and half days
supply and that the Machias was at Genoa
coaling These vessels compose the Eu-
ropean squadron and are the only ones
available to meet the emergency that has
arisen. AS it will require six days sailing
10 reach Beirut it is probable that little
time will be required for coaling the squad
ron before the start can be made.
According to Minister Leishman's de-
spatch news Of the assassination came from
United States Consul Ravndal at Beirut
who simply reported that Mr.. Magelssen
was assassinated on Sunday night while
riding in carriage and that his murderer
was unknown. Minister Leishman added
that he had directed that an inquiry be
made to secure additional information and
had made such representation to the Porte
as he could under the circumstances 1t was
evident that he had asked that the local
authorities in Beirut be ordered to give
immediate attention to the affair, for the
purpose of discovering the murderer, and
that, If apprehended, he should be promptly
dealt win
Beirut, where the assassination oc-
Cured, u on the eastern shore OF the Medi-
terranean and la about a Thousand miles
from Constantinople, with which 1t is con-
nected by a telegraph line, 1t is far removed
from the scene NJ other disturbances in
Turkey, and without any further details
the authorities are unable to form an
opinion whether the assassination grew
out of political troubles. Though Wig
orous measures have been determined
upon, the case is not considered parallel
with that Of the murder Of the Russian
Consul at Monastir, who was killed by a
soldier in the Turkish Army, which justified
Russia in making an imperative demand
upon the Sultan in the way Of indemnity,
apology and certain reforms.
tile attitude of Turkey toward Americans
came to the State Department this after
noon IN to egram from the American Board
OF Foreign Missions of Boston, which said
that information had been received bv the
board Of an attempt to burn the Euphrates
College buildings at Harpoot, and the con-
ditons there appear increasingly critical.
il was decided this afternoon not to for
ward this information to Minister Ieish-
man, at Constantnople, as it is believed
that he has already received complaint
from Harpoot and will probably notify
the State Department tomorrow morn
ing in regard to the situation in that part
OF Turkey.
Announcement of the murder of Mr..
Mage son was sent this afternoon to Sena-
tor Knute Nelson of Minnesota, who had
irdorsed the young mans application for
appointment. Magels' en- was born in 1872
At Bratsburg, Fillmore county, Mimi,
and was the son of a Lutheran minister
jTe attended Luther College at DEBORAH,
L., and for five years was clerk OF the con-
sllate at Beirut, with Consul Ravndal, who
Is hs brother-in-iaw. He was at one time
employed on newspaper in Sioux Falls,
s u.
cabIcgram was received late tonight
by Acting Secretary Loomis of the State
Department from Minister Leishman at
Constantinople, saying that he had visited
the Turkish Foreign Office and had been
informed that no advices whatever had
been received from Beirut concerning the
reported assassination Of Vice-Consul
Magelssen. The Foreign Office went even
further, making the fat denial that there
was any truth in the report.
Acting Secretary Of the Navy Darl ing,
who was informed Of the contents of the
cablegram, made the comment that whether
the reported murder of Vice Consul Magels-
sen was true or not there would be no harm
In sending the European squadron to
Beirut. II Magelssen is killed the fleet
will be ready to enforce the demands OF
this Government, and II he Is not, an object
lesson will have been given OF the celebrity
with which the United States Ia ready to
act In such cases.
Officers of the State and Navy Depart
ments do not credit the Turkish Foreign
ONCE with frankness In this matter and
have not the slightest doubt that Magelssen
has been murdered, as at first reported by
Minister Leishman. They regard the
sweeping denial 10y the Porte as merely
another Instance Of Turkish diplomacy.