Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-08-28
ASSASSIN'S HAND
Strikes United States Official
at Beirut, Syria.
Vice Consul MageIlssen Assassinated
While Riding in Carriage.
Satisfaction Demanded of Turkey
Fleet Will Enforce 1t.

Washington, Aug. 27.-The State De-
partmeht has received a cablegram
from Minister Leishman at Constanti-
nople, announcing that Wm c. Magefls-
sen, United States vice consul at
Beirut Syria, was assassinated, Sun
Gay, while riding in a carriage.
The American minister Immediately
brought the crime to the attention of
the government and demanded action
by Turkey
Acting Secretary Loomis, today.
cabled Minister Leishman instructing
him to demand the immediate arrest
and punishment of the persons guilty
of the murder
No demand of money in behalf Of the
mans family has yet been made, but
that probably will follow.
Admiral Cotton, commanding the
European squadron, has been cabled by
the navy department to have his YES
sells in readiness to move to Beirut,
which is on the eastern shore of the
Mediterranean sea, in case the de-
mands of the United States govern
ment upon the Turkish government are
not complied with. The Brooklyn and
the San Francisco are at Villefranche
and the Machias is at Genoa.
Magellssen was of Scandinavian de-
scent, and was appointed vice-consu1
at Beirut, Supt. 20, 1899, by Consul
Gabriel Die Ravudal, who is a Scandi-
navian. At the time of his appoint
ment as vice-consul, he was consular
clerk in Turkey.
Magellssen was appointed on the rec
ommendation of Senator Nelson of
Minnesota, who says that he was the
son Of a prominent Lutheran minister.
lie was born at Bradsburg, Fillmore
county, Mimi.
Minister Leishmans cablegram, dat
ed yesterday stated that the assissina-
ton occurred, Sunday, the minister
being informed of the crime by Consul
Eayudal. The consul stated that the
murderer was not seen and is not
known.
The announcement of the assassna-.
tion of the American vice consul, fol-
lowing so soon upon the assassination
of Russian consul in Turkey, created.
strong comment in official circles, and
the suggestion will be made that such
frequent assassinations indicates a
very disturbed condition of affairs in
the Turkish dominions.
Minister Leishman gave no particu-
lars of the murder and the state de-
partment has no information as to the
cause of it. The American govern
ment will insist that the local authori-
ties be punished if they We're dereliet
III their duty and that. fun measure of
punishment be given the actual perpe-
TRAITORS of the outrage.
Beirut is a city on the easter shore
of the Mediterranean sea and is place
of considerable commercial Importance.
IT is probable that the action of the
Turkish government and the conditions
existing at Beirut will determine
whether or not the European squadron
is TO be sent to Turkish waters. Unless
the Turkish government acts promptly
upon the demands made by the United
States government, it is expected that
the European squadron will at once
move eastward.
Washington, Aug. 27.--Mr Magells-
sen was 81 years old. He was edu-
Gated in the common schools of Mime
sofa and was a student at the Luter
College at DEBORAH, Iowa, for three
years. For a time he was assistant
city assessor of Sioux Falls, S. D., and
also associate editor Of a paper called
the Echo published there.
No additional information was OBJ
tanned at the state department during
the day. AS yet no request has been
made of the navy department that the
European squadron be sent to Beirut
and none will be until it appears that
there is a disposition on the part of
the Turkish government not to COM
ply with the demands of the state de-
partment for immediate apprehension
CONTINUED on page 81