The sun., 1903-12-09
TURKS ATTACK U. S. CONSUL.
ROW AT ALEXANDRETTA OVER A
NATURALIZED AMERICAN.
Minister Leishman investigating the Anair
Two Warships at Beirut II They Are
Needed-OppOrtu unity Now TO Impress
Demands on the Sultan's Government.
Special Gable Despaiehss to THE SUN.

Demands on the Sultan's Government.
Special Cable Despaichss to THE SUN.
CoNsTANTINoPLE, De-. s.-While Mr.
Davis, the American Consul at Alexandretta
Syria was escorting Johannes Attarian,
an American citizen of Armenian birth, on
board steamship in the harbor there. he
was assaulted and insulted by the local
police, who, despite the resistance OF the
Consul and his guard, arrested Attarian
Mr.. Davis thereupon lowered the Ameri-
can flag from the Consulate and went to
Beirut, fearing that he would b. unsafe
at Aexandretta, thus breaking of his rela-
tions with the Turkish authorities. The
ce-Consul however, remains at his post
The authorities at Aexandretta say that
Mr.. Davis struck the policemen with his
cane. They say that the consular kavasses
tried to rescue Attarian and disturbance
resulted. The kavasses broke windows in
the prison.
Mr.. Ieishman, the American Minister
has notified the Porte OF the occurrence
He is awaiting a full report before pro-
ceeding further in the matter.
BERLIN HEARS THAT wABsHIP HAS BEEN
SENT.
BERLIN Dec. 8.-The Tdgebldh prints
a despatch from Constantinople saying
that the American Embassy there has or
dered warship from Beirut to Alexan-
dretta, Syria, and has demanded Of the
Porto the punishment OF the Vail Of Alexan-
dretta owing to the wrongful arrest Of
an American citizen, who is an Armenian
by birth. 1t is added that w. r. Davis,
the American Consul at Alexandretta.
L., -. 20 ~ ha
Turks to fee to Beirut for safety.
WASHINGTON, Dec. s.-A cable despatch
received at the State Department from
United States Minister Leishman at Con-
stantinople reports another Moslem out
break, resulting in an assault upon William
Ross Davis, United States Consul at Alex
andretta, Syria, who has Withdrawn from
his post and gone to Beirut.
Consul Davis had interested himself In
behalf OF an Armenian who had been ar
rested by the Turkish authorities and thrown
into prison. Davis secured the Armenians
release by the authorities on the assurance
that he would leave the country.
While Davis and the consular guard were
escorting the Armenian to the ship the in
habitants set upon them and recaptured the
Armenian, who was again imprisoned.
Minister lie ishman says that Davis declares
that he was insuted and assaulted during
the excitement. He thereupon returned to
the consulate, pulled down the American
flag, severed his relations with the Turkish
authorities and. leaving Vice-Consul David
Lorimer In charge, sailed for Beirut. Davis
was born In Ohio and was appointed
Consul from that State.
Minister Leishman says that the assault
is alleged to have been committed by the
local police Of Alexandretta After Mr..
Daviss departure mob made hostile
demonstration against the American con-
sulate. The reported participation OF the
police in the affair is its most serious feat
ure, and unless prompt action to punish
the offenders is taken by the Turkish Gov
ernment the Administration may be e1-
pected to bring the case home to Turkey in
no uncertain manner.
In the opinion of officials here the in
cident will not result in any international
complications. No steps have been taken
to send any American warship to Alexan-
dretta. The Navy Department will be
guided ent irely by the wishes Of the State
Depart ment, and the State Departmen
officials declare that they will make no
pleted his invest igat ion and reported the
result Alexandretta is only 14O miles from
Beirut, where the Brooklyn and the San
Francisco are lying. and either Of these
vessels could reach there in less than day.
Some qualification wes expressed in Off
cial circles to-day over tho fact that the
Brooklyn and the San Francisco were re-
tanned at Beirut, The State Department
was on the point Of telling the Navy De-
partment that it might withdraw them
when the news Of the AleXandretta incident
came. In a measure, the assault on Consul
Davis is cause for qualification in that it
affords the opportunity for more strenu-
Gus inss, cnce On the part of the Unit ed
81 ates that American interests in the Sui
tan's possessions shall receive a greater
degree Of prot ec ion, and furnishes a basis
for demand that the restrictions placed
on graduates of American schools in
Turkey and the schools themselves shall
be removed.
Minister Leishman has been pressing
for an adjustment of these matters, and
he found that the presence of the Brook
lyn and the San Francisco at Beirut had
ma lked effect in quickening the willingness
of the Ottoman authorities to grant conces-
sons to the United States.
The interest of CoLsul Davis in the case of
the Armenian whose release he secured
arose from the fact that the man was a
naturalzed American citizen. The return
to the Sultan's possessions of natives of that
territory who resided in the United States
long enough to become American citizens
has been frequent cause of trouble. While
this Government recognizes the right of
TuI key to compel such former subjects to
leave Turkish territory. it has always in
ed that the deportation shall be made
with proper regard for all the rights ac-
quired by these former subjects in Turkey.
In the case of the man assaulted at Alex
andretta lew features are prosented which
give this Government ground for vigorous
protest and even more determined action.
Should any hahn como to the man at the
hands Of the Turkish authorities the situa-
ton might become exceedingly serious
Nice-Consul Lorimer who was born in
Scotland and appointed from Syria, is not
an American citizen
PATERSON, \ j =, Dec. s.--Johanner Altar
ian who was arrested at Alexandretta. is an
about 35 years old, and lived in
Paterson about -four years, working under
the name of John Thompson al the McNab
& Harlin brass works as moulder. He