Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1903-09-05
OUT OF SULTAN'S CONTROL
The Situation in Turkish Empire Tends
That Way.
VIGOROUS ACTION IS NECESSARY.
Minister Leishman's Reports to the STATE De-
parment Show that Americans In Syria
and Other Parts Of the Ottoman Empire Re-
quire Protection Afforded by Warships-
Revolution Spreading.

Washington. d. C (SpcciaD.-M-
though the tragic side OF the situation
in Syria has now disappeared by the
official news that Vice Consul Magcls-
sen, at Beirut. was not assassina;ed.
but simply fired upon. the fact never
:hcleSs remains that conditions in Sy-
ria and throughout the Ottoman En-
pire are alarming and that Americans
residing there require the protection al
iorded by American warships cruising
in the nearest waters 1t is this con-
sideration which caused the adminiStra-
ton TO determine that the error OF the
operator and its correction should
make no change in the program. and
that the orders TO the European Squad
ron should not be recalled.
Every dispatch from Minister Leish-
man and every communication from
missionaries and other outside sources
contribute to the belief that Turkey IS
in a state which closely approaches
that OF China when a horde OF bowling
pikesmen shut the foreigners up III their
legation compounds and drove the En-
press Dowager from the Sacred City.
Minister Leishman'S latest cables are
known to contain much confidential
matter. detailing the symptoms OF un-
rest and the actual disorder which is
now spreading all through Turkey and
developing into anarchy beyond the
Sultan'S power to control.
Exactly what measures will be adopt
ed to protect those persons situated at
distance from the seaboard is not
yet decided. but in this Admiral Cot
ton will be given Tree hand, and
should the conditions warrant. he may
land forces OF marines. AT the State
Department it is said that this is an
extreme measure, but warranted I'M
der the law OF nations whenever the
ruling sovereign proves unable to al
ford safety and protection TO foreigners
within his domain. The department has
already received assurances, informal III
their nature. from each OF the powers
interested in Turkish affairs that no OBJ
staclcs will be placed in the way OF the
United States, regardless OF the mode
OF procedure.
No change has been made in the or
ders to the European squadron to sail
as soon as possible for Beirut. The
Navy Department has been advised
that the Machias sailed from Genoa
Tor Beirut. The San Francisco and
Brooklyn are at Genoa and will sail
for Beirut Immediately.
Acting Secretary Darling sent cable
gram to Rear Admiral Cotton informing
him that Vice Consul Magelssen had not
been killed. but had been fired upon.
This vaS done IN anOriSe the cOrlmaf1 nd
ing officer of the squadron of the true
situation at Beirut The collier Alex
ander was reported at Malta. on her way
TO Manila with coal for the Asiatic Sta
ton. She will next report at Port Said.
and if the exigency is then necessary she
will be held to supply the cruisers of the
European squadron with coal.
The State Department has instructed
Minister Leishman TO notify the Turkish
government that il must keep the peace.
and that it will be held to strict ac-
countability for any lawless acts toward
American citizens.