The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-08-29
Prompt Action Taken.
(By the Associated Press.l


Washington, Aug. 27.-Prompt and Wig
orous action is being taken by the United
States government to secure the punish
ment of those persons implicated in the
assassination of United States Vice Con-
sui William C. Magelssen, at Beirut,
Syria, Sunday last. Minister Leishman
at Constantinople, who reported the fact
to the State Department, has been in
structed by the State Department to de-
mand a thorough Investigation of the af-
fair and the punishment of those involved
in the crime and the European squadron,
consisting of three warships, has been or
dered to proceed Immediately to Beirut
to support the demands of the United
States Minister should this be found ne
cessary. This latter measure was deter
mined on as a result of conferences which
have been held over the telegraph and
telephone wires between the officials here
during the day and the evening with the
President at Oyster Bay. The latter felt
that no time should be lost in dispatching
Admiral Cotton's squadron to Turkish
waters and he gave instructions to Act
ing Secretary Darling that immediate or
ders be given Admiral Gotten to pro-
coed at once.
The Presidents determination to lose
no time in getting the squadron to Beirut
was also due in part to information re-
ceived by Acting Secretary Loomis of the
State Department, to night from the Pres
ident of the American Board of Missions
at Boston, Indicating that an attempt
had been made to burn the Euphrates Col
lege buildings at Harpoot. This dispatch
said:
Information just received that an at
tempt has been made to burn the Eu-
pirates College buildings. Conditions IN
creasingly alarming Great anxiety felt
for the safety of American citizens there.
Acting Secretary LOOMS tonight cabled
to Minister Leishman at Constantlnople
to make immediate demands on the Porte
to take adequate measures for the protec-
ton of all Americans at Beirut and to
prevent any attack on the college build
ing.
Admiral Cotton, who was directed today
to hold his squadron in readiness to pro-
coed at a moments notice to Beirut,
cabled the Navy Department as follows,
under date of Nice, France:
Gable just received. Machias at Genoa
of coal Brooklyn has seven days, San.
Francisco six and a half days coal at ten.
knits Cannot exceed that speed with
Machias If squadron going west should
coal at Marseilles. If east at Genoa.
(Siened) COTTON"
Admiral Cotton's instructions are to sail
at once. 1t is estimated that the Brooklyn
going full speed can reach Beirut within
six days.
Acting Secretary LOOMS received al
rather remarkable cablegram from Minis
ter Leishman tonight, in which the latter
stated that he had called at the Turkish
Foreign Office at Constantinople this ev-
ening to inquire about the assassination
of the United States Vice Consul, and that
the Minister of Foreign Affairs emphati-
cally denied any knowledge of the report.
He also attempted to discredit it. The
cablegram gave no other information.
Acting Secretary of the Navy Darling
sent this cablegram at 1915 tonight to
Rear Admiral Cotton at Nice:
''Vice Consul at Beirut reported assas-
sinated. Proceed Immediately nearest
port. Report.
(signed) "DARLING.Y
1t is expected the squadron will get
away Immediately upon receipt of this
cablegram, the Brooklyn, San Francisco
and Machias going together.