The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-08-28
William [, Mage|ssen of Min- nesOta Killed While Riding
 Through the Streets
MINISTER MUST DEMAND
 IMMEDIATE PREPARATION
in Absence of Particulars No Motive Can be Ascribed For the Crime
 But Turkey Will be Forced / to investigate.

washington, August T.-The state de- partment has received a cablegram rom Minister Leischman. at Constantinopie' announcing that William c. Magelssen, United States vice consul at Beirut, Syria' was assassinated yesterday while riding in a carriage.
 The American minister immediately brought the crime to the attention Of the government and demanded action by Tur- kev. Acting Secretary Loomis today ca h,ed Minister Leischman instructing him to demand the immediate arrest and pun lshment of the persons guilty or the mur- der. No demand for money indemnity for the mans family has yet been maoe' but that probably will follow.
 Maeelssen was a native and appointed from Minnesota.
 , Comment In Washington.
 r.a announcement of the assassination of the American vice consult ioiio"ihs 30 soon upon the assassination or rus- sian consul in Turkey, created strong comment in official circles and the sug- gestion was made that such frequent as- assassinatons indicate very dlsturoeo condition of affairs in the Turkish oomin- Ions Minister Leischman gave no partic- ulars of the assassination and the state denartment has no information as to the cause of the murder The American gov ernment that the local authorities be pun ished if they were derelict In tneir outy and that full measure of punishment be given the actual perpetrators or the outrage. Beirut Is a city on the eastern shore Of the Mediterranean sea and IS place or considerable commercial importance. IL Is probable that the action of the Iufhsn n government and the condition existing at Beirut will determine whether or not the European squadron will be sent 10 Iurkisn waters. Unless the Turkish government acts promptly upon the demands haoe bv the United States government It IS ex. pected that the European squaoioh VIII at once move eastward
 Was Young Man.
 MT. Magelssen was 30 years olo. ne 2 was educated in the common scnoois ol Minnesota and was a student or the Lu- theran college at Decoran' la, TOT 'h.. ..'. wears. For a time he was assistant ciey assessor of Sioux Falls s. D., ana also associate editor of the Echo.
 No additional information was optalneo at the state department during the oay. As vet no request has been made or the navy department that the European squadron be sent to Beirut, ana none VIII be until 1t appears that there IS oispo- sition on the part of the Turkish govern ment not to comply with the demands of the state department for immediate ap- nrehension and punishment of the mur- derer. and of the local authorities if they appear negligent.
 No Motive Known.
 In the absence of particulars, no motive can be ascribed for the crime and the state department officials have no means of suggesting a theory as to why the vice. consul should have been killed. There have been no complaints about him or his work and the meagre cablegram con yeys not the slightest suggestion or cause for the crime. Although a copy of the dispatch from Minister Leischman was sent to the navy department, no re- quest was made to send the European squadron to the eastern Mediterranean. hut the navy department, anticipating that such an emergency might occur. ca bled Admiral Cotton to have the squad ron in readiness for sailing if it was deemed necessary
 The President was informed immediate ly of the assassination, also of the steps that had been taken by the state depart ment to secure redress
 Relatives in St. Paul.
 St. Paul, August 27.-William c. Magels- sen, vice consul at Beirut Syria, who was assassinated yesterday, is young man and is a brother-in-law of Consul Rayn- dal, who appointed him. Consul Rayndal is from North Dakota. Magelssen was ap- pointed from Freeborn county, Minn., about two years ago. It is not known here whether he has family of his own. He is a brother of Mrs. Rayndal.
 ROOSEVELT LOSES
 NO TIME IN ACTING.
 Oyster Bay, August 27.-President Roosevelt tonight issued orders that the American European squadron. under command of Rear Admiral Cotton. should proceed at once to Beirut. Syria, to be in readiness to support any demand the United States might make on account of tbe assassination there of Vice Consul Magelssen.
 The President tonight Is In close com munication with the department and will be kept fully advised of the details of the incident as they are ascertained
 For several days President Roosevelt has been following cioseiy the oeFeiop- mepts of the situation in Turkey. With view to considering the subject care fully the President and Secretary Hay have arranged for a conference tomor- row at Sagamore Hill. The secretary IS now on the way to Oyster Bay.
 In the absence of definite information concerning the assassination Of the wee consul. the President will take no de- cided action beyond that already taken in ordering the European squadron to Beirut. Until the circumstances Of the murder are known officially and pre- cisely. the United States. 1t is said will not take any drastic action. A demand shat officers from the United States be offorded protection for their lives and property will be made and the Turkish government will be held responsible for the assassination of Consul Magelsson whatever may be the circumstances oi the case. President Roosevelt IS con ---s ~.x>- tho cifua ffon as if has de-