The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-08-28
COTTON ORDERED TO SAIL
Murder Occurred on Sunday---Last
Night President Roosevelt Ordered
European Squadron Under
Rear Admiral Cotton
to Proceed to
Beirut.
(By Die Associatea Press.l

<ASHONheNSNA
Washington, D. c., Aug. 27.-Tke State
Department has received a cablegram
from Minister Leishman, at Constantl-
nople, announcing that William C. Magels-
sen, United States Vice Consul at Beirut,
Syria, was assassinated Sunday while rid
ing in a carriage. The American minis
ter Immediately brought the crime to
the attention of the government and de-
manded action by Turkey. Acting Secre-
tary Loomis today cabled Minister Lelsh-
man instructing him to demand the lmme-
date arrest and punishment of the per
sons guilty of the murder No demand
for money indemnity for the mans fam
lily has yet been made but that probably
will follow Magelssen was appointed
from Minnesota.
Admiral Cotton, commanding the Euro
pean squadron, has been cabled by the
Navy Department to have his vessels IN
readiness to move to Beirut, which is on
the eastern shore OF the Mediterranean
Sea, in case the demands of the United
States government upon the Turkish gov
ernment are not complied with. The
Brooklyn and the San Francisco are at
villefranche and the Machias is at Genoa.
Magelssen, who is OF scandinavian de-
scent, was appointed vice consul at Beirut,
September ~, 1899, by Consul Gabriel Bic
Ravudal, who Is of the same nationality.
At the time OF his appointment as vice
consul lie was a consular clerk in Tur-
key. Magelssen was pointed on the rec
ommendatlcn of Senator Nelson, of Min
nesota, who says that he was the son OF
a prominent Lutheran minister. He was
bern at Bratsburg, Fillmore county, MINI.
Minister Leishman's cablegram was
dated yesterday and stated that the as
sassination occurred Sunday the minis
ter being informed of the crime by Consul
Ravudal. ne consul stated that the
murderer was not seen and is not known.
The announcement of the assassination
of the American vice consul. following
so soon upon the assassination of Rus
sian consul in Turkey created strong
comment in official circles and the sug-
gestion was made that such frequent as
sassinations indicate the disturbed eondi-
tion of affairs in the Turkish demnions.
Minister Leishman gave no particulars of
the assassination and the State Depart
ment has no information as to the cause
OF the murder. The American govern
ment will insist that the local authorities
be punished if they were derehct in their
duty and that full measure Of punishment
be given the actual perpetrators of the
outrage.
Beirut is a city on the eastern shore
of the Mediterranean Sea and is a place
oil considerable commercial Importance
1t is probable that the action of the
Turkish government and the condition ex-
isting at Beirut will determine whether
or not the European squadron is to be
sent to Turkish waters. Unless the Turk
ish government acts promptly upon the
demands made by the United States gov
ernment it is expected that the Euro
pean squadron viii at once go eastward
Although a copy of the dispatch from
Minister Leishman was sent to the Navy
Department no request was made upor
that department for sending the Euro
rean squadron to eastern Mediterranean
waters.
The Navy Department however antici
pating that such an emergency might oc
eur, cabled Admiral Cotton to nave th'
squadron in readiness. The President wa
Immediately informed of the assassination
also OF the steps that had been takeI
by the State Department to secure re
dress. Further details of the crime anc
the action of the Turkish government arr
awaited with interest by all government
officials.
Oyster Bay, Aug. 27.-President Roost
welt tonight issued orders that the Amer
can European squadron. under comman
of Rear Admiral Cotton, should procee
at once to Beyrout, Syria, in order to b
in readiness to support any demand tn
United States may make on account OF tn
assassination there of Vice Consul Ma
gelssen.
London, Aug. 27.-Accorung to the dis
patch received here from Constantinoplt
the Porte has been informed that tn
United States government has decided I
send squadron to Turkish waters in
mediately to demand reparation for th
murder of United States Consul Magels
sen, at Beyrout. Syria, and the punish
ment of the assassin.