Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-09-07
Presence of American War
ships at Beirut.
MESSAGE FROM COTTON
CONFIRMS REPORT THAT MA
GELSSEN WAS ATTACKED.
Turkish officials Show Great Cordial.
ity - Exchange Of Courtesies--
Foreigners Feel More Secure.

Acting Secretary Darling of the Navy De-
partment this morning received a cable
message from Rear Admiral Cotton. COM
manding the European squadron. who Is at
Beirut with the cruisers Brooklyn and San
francisco. The message confirms the re-
port of Consul Ravndal at Beirut that Vice
Consul Magelssen had been shot at but I'M
injured but shows that there is nothing in
the situation at that place at this time to
give cause for anxiety. At the same time
Admiral Cotton notes the good effect of the
presence Of the American warships The
text of the message is as follows:
BEIRUT. September 4. 1908.
Secretary of Navy. Washington:
"Vice consul shot at, but uninJured.
Turkish officials have informed consul that
four men have been placed under arrest be-
cause IT is suspected that they had attacked
the vice consul / cabled Friday afternoon
to the American minister at Constantinople
the arrival of the United States squadron.
The American minister has nothing to COM
municate.
Il have strengthened the American repre-
sentatives position by pronounced recogni-
ton Of them. The American consul and
vice consul accompanied me in my call on
the Turkish governor and Turkish general
and were presented at their call on board
eiiC DioohlyH OFFICIALS very cor
dial. Turkish admiral is here The follow
Ing Turkish ships are here: One small gun
boat, one armored cruiser Usual courte-
sies exchanged
Have conferred with consul freely; will
confer with other prominent American citi-
zens Sunday and next day. l shall request
full statement in writing of the situation
at Beirut. Presence Of American squadron
inspires with confidence and feeling of Sc
curlty all foreigners and Christians.
(Signed) COTTON"
Cause Of Satisfaction.
A copy of the message was Immediately
transmitted to Secretary Hay at his home,
and to Assistant Secretary Adee at the
State Department. The news it contained
was source Of general satisfaction. as In
dicating a comparatively pacific state of
affairs at Beirut. and also that the admiral
was in communication with Minister Leish-
man at Constantinople, and had heard
nothing from him to justify any apprehen-
sion Of violence to American lives and
property in the Turkish capital at the pres
ent time sufficient to demand the presence
OF American warShipS In that quarter The
officials were therefore of opinion that the
situation called for no further action at
this end of the line.
To Remain at Beirut.
The Brooklyn and the San Francisco will
remain at Beirut pending further develop
Washington to dispatch marines from
either of these two vessels to Constanti-
nople for the protection Of the American le-
cation and the consulate general unless
there is more necessity for such action than
appears to exist at this time.
The gunboat Machias arrived at Port Said
Saturday. and in the event that American
marines are needed at Constantinople 1T Is
probable that the guard on that vessel will
be first utilized in preference to those on
the warships at Beirut. There would be no
occasion for the Machias to enter the OAR
danelles to accomplish this mission, as the
same purpose could be effected by her pro-
ceeding to Salonica, from which port a rail-
road line connects with the Turkish capt.
tai
AS has been already stated. however the
officials do not apprehend that there will be
any occasion for such action. 1t was the
dispatch boat Dispatch that served as a
station ship al Constantinople several years
ago and not the Dolphin. as has been erro-'
neously stated. With the exception Of that
vessel and the old man-of-war Kearsarge.
no United States warship has visited Com
stantinople since the international agree
ment against the passage of the Darda-
nelles by any foreign warship shortly after
the close of the Crimean war.