The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1903-12-10
turks ASSAULT
american CONSUL
American Representative at Alexan-
dretta, Mr.. Davis, Insulted
by Sultan's Police.
FLAG Is HAULED DOWN
and RELATlDAS SEVERED
American Citizen, u Fsrner Ar1e-
MAN, Taken from Uaited States OFF,
cfal and Thrswa Into Prison
Strong Action by Washing ton OIL
cials Expected Because of Outrage.

cial and Throwa Into Prison
Strong Action by Aashing ton OFF,
cia1s Expected Because of Outrage.
Constantinople, Dec. ,9-The United
States flag over the consulate at Alex
andretta, Asiatic Turkey, has been
hauled down and Consul Davis has left
his post for Beirut in consequence of a
serious diplomatic incident during
which Mr.. Davis was insulted and as
saulted by the local police.
Cause OF the TroubIe.
The affair grew out of the arrest of an
Armenian-Channes Attarian, a natur-
allied American citizen.
Attarian had been in prison at Aleppo
during the last two months and had just
been liberated through the Intervention
Of the American consular agent, on con-
dition of his leaving the country forth
with. Mr.. Davis was accompanying
Attarian on board a departing steamer
when the police intercepted the party,
assaulted and insulted Mr.. Davis, and,
despite the resistance of the consul and
his attendant guards, rearrested Altar
ian and took him back to prison. Mr..
Davis Immediately lowered the flag over
the consulate and formally broke off
relations with the Turkish authorities
by quitting Alexandretta, leaving the
consulate in charge of the vice consul.
A mob of Moslems seized on the occa-
sion to make hostile demonstration
against the consulate and against the
Christians generally.
The local authorities assert that Mr..
Davis struck the police with cane and
that after the 'rearrest OF Attarian the
consular cavasses military couriers)
attempted torescue him, and that in the
fracas which ensued the cavasses broke
the windows of the prison.
The Turkish authorities further claim
that Attarian, who is native of Diar-
bekir, Asiatic Turkey, has been travel
ing about the country with an illegal
passport They also point out that the
question of Armenians naturalized in
America returning to Turkey has al
ways been a source of trouble, since the
porte invariably refuses to recognize
naturalization.
Suspected Of BEING RevOlutionist.
When Attarian was arrested $4,000
was found in his pocket. This, it is be-
iieved, may have contributed to his ar
rest, the Turks suspecting him of being
revolutionist.
The matter is engaging the energetic
attention of the United States legation
here Minister Leishman has made
urgent representations to the porte and
is now awaiting a fuller report before
taking further steps.
The outrage, it is anticipated here,
will lead to strong action on the part
of the United States to obtain full rep
aration, especially as full satisfaction
for the Beirut affair has not yet been
given.
To Investigate Affair.
Washington, Dec. 9.-The state de-
partment has received brief cablegram
from Consul Davis at Alexandretta,
Asiatic Turkey, saying that he had had
trouble with the local police at Alex
andretta and had left for Beirut in con-
sequence The state department
promptly cabled Minister Leishman at
Constantinople to institute thorough
investigation of the whole affair. 1t is
expected that Minister Leishman will
call at the foreign Office Tuesday to in
uuire of the Turkish officials regarding
the matter.
The navy department has so far taken
no steps toward sending any warships
to Alexandretta, though the state de-
partment officials informed the navy de-
partment of what happened at that place.
The San Francisco and the Brooklyn are
at Beirut, which is distant 40 miles from
Alexandretta. The state department
does not anticipate any serious difficulty
as a result of this incident, as it does not
doubt that the Turkish government will
make proper amends for any misconduct
of it's officials at Alexandretta.
The state department has endless
trouble with naturalized Armenians who
insist on returning to Turkey, notwith-
standing the fact that the Turkish gov
eminent has steadfastly refused to recog-
nize the right of Turkish subject to
expatriate himself, and the most that
our ministers and consuls have been
able to do in such cases is to secure the
release of the naturalized Armenian or
Turk upon promise to quit Turkey.
Shoots Wife and Self.
Pittsburg, Pa, Dec. 9-Mrs. Joseph
woo chnt in tho hoad oDd q.