The sun., 1903-08-29
OUR VlCE-CONSUL NOT DEAD,
RrT AN ATTEMPT on HIS LIFE
WAS MADE AT BEIRUT.

Fired lpOn TWACe Dy SOmo RergOn I'm.
known to the Turkish Authorities
The European Squadron Starts for
Beirut, and Orders TO Admiral Cotton
Are Not To Be Counternandeb, M Com
ditlons Arc Unsafe for Foreigners.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 2s.-A cable despatch
was received by Acting Secretary of State
Ioomis tonight from Minister Leishman
AZ Constantinople which suddenly changed
the aspect of the Magelssen affair at Beirut
from one of tragedy to something ap-
preaching opera bouffe.
Minister Leishman reported that owing
10 a mistake in the transmission Of code
word from Beirut TO Constantinople, which
led 10 the mistranslation Of the despatch
from Consul Ravndal, It was made to appear
that vice-Consul Magelssen had been killed,
while in fact an attempt only had been
made on his life. The yice-Consul is alive
and well, and the European squadron,
called forth by direct order Of President
Roosevelt TO uphold the dignity of the
United States, is now at Genoa wondering
what the next orders will be- The squad
ron may be directed to continue to Beirut
for appearance sake, or it may return
'o It's innocuous target practice at WILLIE
flanche,
Minister Ieshman in his despatch to-
night, gives few particulars of the attempt
on Magelssen's life. The Vice-Consul was
riding in his carriage. and was fired upon
twice by some person unknown to the
Turkish authorities. as they assert. Apology
was made to Vice-Consul Magelssen by
the principal Turkish officer at Beirut
and he accepted IT, Minister Leishman
adds that ne has been assured that the
would-be assassin will be vigorously hunted
for by the Turkish authorities, and punished
if apprehended.
1t is also reported by Minister Leishman
that Consul Ravndal advises him from
Beirut that conditions there are very un-
safe for foreigners, and that foreign Con-
suls have so advised their respective Gov
ernments. Christians are insulted in the
streets and assaults have been committed
on foreigners. though the attempt on the
life of vice-Consul Magelssen appears to
have been the gravest incident Wide
unrest and apprehension of revolution is
reported throughout Turkey and Asia Minor
In view Of this news, 1t is believed by
both Assistant Secretary Loomis and As
sstant Secretary Daring that the Euro
pean squadron will be directed by the Presi-
dent to continue to Beirut in order to be
on hand in case Of trouble. Both officers
win await instructions from Oyster Bay
before communicating further with Minis
ter Leishman or Admiral Cotton. The
cable despatch from Minister Leishman
was Immediately forwarded to the Presi-
dent and directions from him are expected
tomorrow morning as to the movements
OF the squadron.
Acting Secretary Darling received the
following cable despatch from Admiral
Cotton this evening dated at villefranche
to-day:
Brooklyn and San Francisco to Genoa
Coal"
II ia supposed that the two cruisers sailed
from Villefranche this evening The run
to Genoa Ia very short The Machias, which
WAS at Genoa to-day, was ordered to pro-
ceed to Port Said and coal and await orders.
1t was thought at the Navy Department
hat the Machias would take on all the coal
she could carry at Port Said, and turn over
some Of it to the other vessels at Beirut.
Admiral Cotton, however, has not taken
the chance Of sailing direct for Beirut
with only seven days supply Of COAL in
view of the fact that the run would consume
six days.
A despatch was received from Minister
Ieishman early in the day saying that the
Turkish Foreign Office was SO optical as to
The reported assassination of Vice-Consul
MageIFsen. but had promised to investi-
gate the story at once. The important
pert of the despatch, now that It is known
that Ma gessen is safe, related to troubles
elsewhere than at Beirut.
Minister Leshman reported that con-
ditons in Macedonia were critical, and
that n general revolution in Turkey ap-
peared 10 be imminent This news, with
that Of the attempted burning Of the
Euphrates College and the defenceless
condition Of American citizens in several
portions Of the Turkish Empire, inclines
officers OF the State and dNavyDepartments
10 believe that the President will not
countermand the orders sent to Admiral
Cotton, They say that American interests
are becoming involved in the general chaos
in the East, and that, while the Magelssen
Incident becomes insignificant in itself. it
has been Of value in sharply directing at
tenton TO the state of affairs in Turkey.