Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1903-12-09
United States Official at Alexand-
retta, Asiatic Turkey, Attack
ed by Native Police.
AMERICAN Is INSULTED.
Consul Davies Is Assaulted While He Is
Trying to Protect American
Citizen.
MAN IS DRAGGED TO PRISON.

Constantinople, Dec. S.-The United
States flag over the consulate at Alexan-
dretta, Asiatic Turkey, has been hauled
down and Consul Davies has left his
post for Beirut in consequence Of a Sc
res of diplomatic incidents during which
Mr. Davies was insulted and assaulted
by the local police.
The affair grew out of the arrest of an
Armenian, Ohannes Attaria1, natur-
allied American citizen.
Attarian had been in prison in Aleppc
during the last two months and had just
been liberated through the intervention
of the American consular agent on con-
dition of his leaving the country forth
with.
Insult American Consul.
Mr.. Davies was accompanying At
tartan on board Il departing steamer
when the police intercepted the party,
assaulted and insulted Mr.. Davies and
despite the resistance Of the consul and
his attendant guards, rearrested At
tartan and took him back to prison.
Mr.. Davies Immediately lowered the
flag over the consulate and formally
broke off relations with the Turkish au-
thorities by quitting Alexandretta leav-
ing the consulate in charge of the vice
consul.
A mob of Moslems seized upon the oc-
casion to make a hostile demonstration
against the consulate and against the
Christians generally.
The local authorities assert that Mr..
Davies struck the police with a cane and
that after the rearest of Attarian the
consular cayaSSeS military couriers) at
tempted to rescue him and that in the
fracas which ensued the cayasses broke
the windows of the prison.
Won't Recognize Naturalization.
The Turkish authorities further claim
that Attarian. who is native of Diar-
bekir, Asiatic Turkey. has been travelling
about the country with an illegal pass
port. They also point out that the ques-
ton of Armenlans naturaliZed in Amer
lea and returning to Turkey has always
been a source of trouble, since the Porte
invariably refuses TO recognize naturali-
cation.
When Attarian was arrested $4,000 was
found in his pocket. This, it is believed.
may have contributed to his arrest, the
Turks suspecting him of being a revolu-
zionist.
The matter is engaging the energetic
of the United States legation here. Min
lister LeiShman has made urgent repre-
sensations to the Porte and is now await
ing fuller report before taking further
steps.
nc ouliaSe- II IL anticipated here, Will
lead to strong action on the part of the
United States to obtain full reparation
especially as full satisfaction for the
Beirut affair has not yet been given.
State Department Takes Matter Up.
Washington, d. c., Dec S-The state
department has received brief cable
gram from Consul Davies at Alexan-
dretta Asatic Turkey, saying that he
had had trouble with the local police at
Alexandretta and bad left for Beirut in
consequence. The state department
promptly cabled Minister Leishman at
Constantinople to institute a thorough in
vestigation of the whole affair 1t is ex-
pected that Minister Leishman will call
at the foreign office today to inquire Of
the Turkish officials regarding the mat
Ter