The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1903-08-28

the government, and demanded action
by Turkey Acting Secretary Loomis
to-day cabled Minister Leishman, in
structing him to demand the immedi-
ate arrest and punishment of the per-
sons guilty of the murder. No de-
mand for money indemnity for the
mans family has yet been made, but
that probably will follow. Magelssen
was appointed from Minnesota.
To Prepare Warships.
Admiral Cotton, commanding the
European 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 de-
mands of the United States govern
ment upon the Turkish government are
not complied with.
The Brooklyn and the San Fran
cisco are at Villefranche, and the
Machias is at Genoa. Magelssen. who
is of Scandinavian descent. was APP
pointed vice consul at Beirut, Sept.
20, 1899 by Consul Gabriel Bee Ravu-
dial, who is of the same nationality.
At the time of his appointment as vice
consul he was a consular clerk in Tur-
key Magelssen was appointed on the
recommendation of Senator Nelson, of
son of a prominent Lutheran minister
He was born at Bratsburg, Fillmore
county, MINI.
Assassinnted Sunday.
Minister Leishman's cablegram was
dated Yesterday End stated that tire
assassinatio occurred Sunday, the min
lister being informed of the crime by
Consul Ravudal. The consul stated
that the murderer was not seen and IS
not known.
The announcement of the assassina-
ton of the American vice consul, fol-
lowing so soon upon the assassination
of a Russian consul in Turkey, Gre
ated strong comment in official circles,
and the suggestion was made that such
frequent assassinations indicate the
disturbed condition of affairs is the
Turkish dominions
Minister Leishman gave no partic-
ulars of the assassination. and the
State Department has no information
as to the cause of the murder The
American government will insist that
the local authorities be punished If they
were derelict in their duty, and that
full measure of punishment be given
the actual perpetrators of the outrage.
Beirnt City of Importance.
Beirut is a city on the eastern shore
of the Mediterranean sea, and is a place
of considerable Importance. 1t is prob
able that the action of the Turkish
government and the condition 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 go
eastward.
Although a copy of the dispatch from
Minister Leishman was sent to the
Navy Department no request was made
upon that department. for sending the
European squadron to Eastern Medi-
terranean waters. The Navy Depart
ment, however. anticipating that such
an emergency might occur, cabled Ad-
miral Cotton to have the squadron in
readiness.
The President was Immediately in
formed of the assassination, also of the
steps that had been taken by the State
Department to secure redress. Further
details of the crime and the action IL
the Turkish government are awaited
with interest by all government Off
Gals.