New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-08-28

The Porte Held Responsible-Con
ference TO-dou.

tBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.l
Oyster Bay, Ny. Aug. 27.-President Roosevelt
advised by the State Department this af-
ternoon of the cable message received from
Minister Lcishman. at Constantinople, announc-
ing the assassination yesterday of William C.
Magesse1r, United States vice-Consul at Bel
telegraphed the Navy Department instructions
to order Rear Admiral Cotton. commanding the
European squadron. TO proceed at once to
Beirut, on the eastern shore OF the Mediter-
ranean, to be in readiness to support any de-
mand made by the United States on Turkey on
account of the assa assination.
The President manifested anxious interest in
the announcement Of the death of Vice-Consul
Magelssen and tonight is in close communica-
tion with the State Department. He will be
kept advised fully of the details Of the incident
as they are ascertained
For several days President Roosevelt has been
following closely the developments Of the situa-
tion in Turkey. With the country in such tur-
moil prevails. almost anything is likely
to happen. With a view to considering the sub
ject the more carefully the President and Sec
retary Of State Hay had arranged for a con-
ference tomorrow at Sycamore Hill. The Sec
retary is his way to Oyster Bay.
At the conference tomorrow the President and
Secretary Hay will consider the Turkish situa-
ton carefully, and probably will reach some
conclusion as TO the attitude Of the United
States respecting the late serious phase of the
matter
In the absence of definite information con-
cerning the assassination Of Vice-ConsuI Niagels-
sen, the President will take no decided action.
beyond that already taken IN ordering the Euro
pean Squadron to Beirut This action is viewed
now as a precautionary measure. 1t is the de-
termination of the United States to support its
demands upon Turkey for the punishment Of the
murderer or murderers of Mr.. Magelssen. but
until the circumstances surrounding the murder
are known officially and precisely the United
States it is announced, will not take any drastic
action. A demand that protection be afforded
officials Of the United States for their lives and
property will be made. and the Turkish Govern
ment will be held responsible for the assassina-
ton of Consul Magelssen. whatever may be the
circumstances Of the case.
President Roosevelt is concerned orer the
situation as it has developed to-day, because it
indicates an intolerable condition Of affairs in
Turkey. He recalls the fact that only recently
Russian Consul was murdered in Turkey.
The European squadron is so situated that it
will require several days for It to assemble at
Beirut Meantime the officials Of the State De-
partment will be fully advised by Minister
Leishman OF the details OF the crime, and the
President then will be in a position TO present
TO Turkey the demands Of the United States
with q naval force the spot Of sufficient
strength to enforce them adequately.
Nice Aug. 27.-The United States gunboat
Machias went to Genoa Wednesday. She was
expected TO return to Villefranche. The rest
of the United States European squadron is still
lying at Villefranche.