The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1903-10-15
COTTON'S BRAVE STAND
How American Admiral Saved
Beirut From a Massacre.
NO BLANK CARTRIDGES FOB HIM.

Commander of American Squadron
Told the VaIi's Messenger That He
Had @NO PIans,y but Pointed to
Guns ana Men Ready to Land-sul-
tan Saw Pointed Argument Of
Bayonets and Removed the Turk
ish Governor.
United States Admiral Cotton's mas
terly tactics saved a most critical situa-
ton In Beirut, Syria, three days after
his arrival, preventing a general mas
sacre of native Christians and securing
against imminent peril the lives, prop
erty and honor of American citizens
as well as OF many Europeans, writes
the New York Worlds special cor
respondent
A great armed mob Of Mohammedans
had attacked one Of the Christian quar-
ters, shooting. stabbing, hacking, mutt
latlng, looting and destroying. The
military were called out, but did not
oppose the mob, their corellgionists,
with much zeal. A general panic en-
sued, and people fed to Lebanon in
large numbers.
The foreign consuls sent a committee
to Admiral Cotton to ask him to be
ready to land men to quell the riot
This committee was most courteously
received, but the admiral could make
no official statement or promise. He
was there primarily to protect Ameri-
can life and property. His next con-
Germ would be British life and prop
erty and then the lives of Europeans
and, If possible, their property.
The committee was invited on deck
to see his preparations for an emer-
gency. They saw 500 marines under
arms, five field guns ready to be sent
ashore, steam launches all around the
Brooklyn and the San Francisco, with
steam up, ready for instant service.
A strong guard Of marines and a
corps of signalmen had already been
sent to protect the United States con-
sulate and from the roof Of that build
ing to keep the ships informed of de-
yelopments. officers had been sent
ashore to ascertain the exact state Of
affairs and to make all needfuI plans
and preparations for prompt action.
The Syrian Protestant college, which
stands on a commanding height, was
chosen as the base Of operations.
Points were selected for landing the
troops and positions for the guns All
night the war ships searchlights played
upon the town, while steam launches
patrolIed the shore.
On Monday morning, Sept. IA, the
vail Turkish goyernoD sent mes
senger to ascertain Admiral Cotton's
plans
The admiral "had no plans"
Well, what might be his intentionsY
He had no intentions"
But what answer shall the messen-
ger take to the governor?
The messenger was asked if be had
observed anything in particular as he
crossed the deck Of the Brooklyn. He
had observed.
Then said the admiral tell his
excellency exactly what you have seen
and allow me to add that there are no
blank cartridges in this outfit"
Some attempts to restore order were
made ON shore that day. 1t was Off
cially admitted that seventeen persons
had been killed in Sundays riot. Pri-
waite estimates give higher figure, and
a few more murders occurred ON Mon
day and the following night. But word
came that Maxim Pasha, vail Of Da-
mascus, was on his way to Beirut with
full powers to supersede Rashid Pasha.
Many had been the consular and am
bassadorial representations before as
to the necessity Of removing Rashid
Pasha, but it was remarkable what
point was lent to these arguments in
the view Of the sultan by the vision Of
800 American bayonets and an admiral
who has no use for blank cartridges.