New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-08-28
KILLED IN H CARRIAGE.
Demand for Immediate Punishment
of Murderers.


Washington. Aug. 2s-Acting Secretary Of the
Navy Darling sent this cable dispatch at -12:l5
o'clock this morning to Rear Admiral Cotton. at
Nice:
z-,ce-C-onsil al Beirut reported assassnated.
Proceed Immediately nearest port. Report
I, IS expected that the squadron will get away
-ornedis+el,- on the receipt Of this dispatch, the
F-ooklyn the San Francisco and the Machias
going together.
Washington. Aug 2L-The State Department
today received cable message from Minister
I,,isbnnan al Constantnople. announcing that
William { Magessen. United States Vice-Con-
sui at Beirut Syria, was assassinated on sun
day while riding in a carriage. The American
Minister Immediately brought the crime to the
attention Of the government and demanded ac-
uon by Turkey. Acting Secretary LOOMS in
structed Minister Leishman TO demand the i'm
mediate arrest and punishment OF the persons
guilty Of the murder No demand for money
Il. behalf Of the mans family has yet been
made but that probably will follow. Magelssen
was appointed from Minnesota in 1899.
The latter felt that no time should be lost in
disratching Admiral Cottons squadron to Turk
ish waters and he gave instructions to Acting
Secretary Darling that immediate orders he
given Admiral Cotton TO proceed at once.
The Presidents determination to lose no time
IN getting the squadron 70 Beirut was also due,
in part 70 information received by Acting Sec
retary Loonis Of the State Department tonight
from the president Of the American Board Of
Foreign Missions, at Boston, indicating that an
attempt had been made to burn the Euphrates
College building al Harpoot. This dispatch
said
information just received that an attempt has
been made 70 burn the Euphrates College build
ing Conditions increasingly alarming. Great
anxiety felt for the safety of American citi-
zens there
Acting Secretary Loomis tonight cabled to
Minister Leshman. at Constantinople. TO make
immediate demands on the Porte to take ade-
ouste measures for the protection of all Ameri-
at Beirut and TO prevent any attack on the
college buildings. Admiral Cotton. who was
directed to-day 10 hold his squadron in readi-
ness 10 proceed at a moments notice to Beirut,
cahled the Navy Department follows, under
date Of Nice, France:
Gable just received. Machias at Genoa for
coal Brooklyn has seven days, San Francisco
six and a half days coal at ten knots Cannot
exceed that speed with Machias If squadron
going west should coal AT Marseilles, Il east. at
Genoa.
Admiral Cotton's instructions ara IN sail al
once II is probable that he viii go ahead TO
Beirut with the Brooklyn. leaving the Machas
and the san Francisco to follow
Acting Secretary LOOMS received cable dis
patch from Minister Leishman tonight in
which the latter stated that he had called at
The Turkish Foreign Office at Constantinople
his evening TO inquire about the assassination
of Mr. Magelssen and that the Minister OF
Foreign Affairs eTnphatically denied any knowl-
edge of the report He also attempted to dis
credit it. The dispatch gave no other informa-
ton. Under the circumstances. the State De-
partment officials inclined TO believe that
The Turkish Foreign ONCE is not in touch with
he situation a. Beirut. They do not attach
sufficient Importance TO Minister Leishman's
last message TO cancel the order for the squad
ron 10 sail.
Acting Secretary Darling and Captain Cowles
Of he Bureau of Navigation. are in conference
tonight
Minister Leishman's message dated yes
terday, the Minister being informed Of the
crime by Consul Ravndal. The Consul said
that the murderer was not seen and was not
known. The dispatch was Immediately for
earded 10 the President at Oyster Bay