Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1903-09-05
SQUADRON AT BEIRUT.

Admiral Cotton, with the cruisers
BROOKLYN and San Francisco, has ar
rived at Beirut. He will at once IN
ouire carefully into the conditions there
and report to this government whether
American residents are in need of further
protection.
The officials at the State Department
do not share the uneasiness felt by the
foreign powers as to the conditions
existing in Constantinople, and as yet
the government has not issued orders
for the landing of United States marines
ON Turkish soil to protect the American
legation at Constantinople. Officials at
the department said yesterday that IN
their opinion the action of several
powers in landing marines from their
station ships; as reported by Minister
Ieisbman. was due to the panicky feel
ing resulting from the issuance OF the
note by the Turkish government to the
embassies and legations that, while the
government would protect the city ana
Streets. the Porte could not guarantee
protection from outrages and at
lacks by the Bulgarian agitators.
Dispatches from Minister Leishman,
while showing some uneasiness, declare
that he did not need any protection OF
marines at present, having accepted the
tender of the Turkish government OF two
carasse military sorvants), who would
act as detectives or special guards, one
for the legation and the other for the
consulate. The Turkish legation has
proyided these special officers for outer
guards for all legation buildings, but Ii
Is suggested that the legation members
make other provisions for their own pro-
lection by adding to their regular force,
in order that no improper character Sc
cure entrance to the legations. 1t was
upon this suggestion that the Russian
and one or two other European powers
Immediately landed marines from the
station or guard ships Of their govern
ments. which are allowed inside the Oar
danelles.
Should it become necessary to land
American marines it is probable that the
gunboat Machias, being nearer CONSTANT"
nople, will be utilized. Asthere is direct
cable communication with Port said,
the arrival of the gunbOat there will at
once be known at the Navy Department.
In the event Of Americans in Con-
stantinople being in danger, the Turkish
government, it is understood, would not
object to the passage of a small vessel
with guards through the Dardanelles on
such a mission. The Machias being
small vessel, her passage to CONSTANT
NOBLE for service as a station ship would
be less Objectionable than the ship the
size of the Brooklyn or the San Francisco.
Should it be desirable to send marine;
at once, they could be shipped overland
from Smyrna.
1t is authoritatively stated that IN
view of the growing disorders in Turkey
French feet will be ordered to hold
itself in readiness to proceed to Turkish
waters. This determination followed
the receipt Of report from the French
Ambassador at ConstantinOple that II
was desirable to have warships in readi'
ness for all eventualties. Similar prep
arations have been made by Italy, Aus
tria, Russia and Great Britain. The
officials in Paris expect the fleets will
act together in case Of a crisis.
No British marines have been landed
at Constantinople so far as the foreign
Office in London is informed, but it is
said that if the British embassy require:
protection the ambassador is authorized
to call upon the commander of the
British guardship for guards.
The foreign office considers it probable
that Austria and Russia have landed
marines to protect their embassies as
result of fine Porte's note to the ambassa
doris warning them that Bulgarian agi
tators were projecting outrages agains
the embassies, legations and public
buildings at Constantinople.