Mr. Leishman to Mr.
Hay.
Legation of the United States,
Constantinople, September 5,
1903.
No. 551.]
Sir: I beg to inclose herewith copy of notes
exchanged between the Sublime Porte and the legation in reference to the
attempted assassination of Mr. Magelssen and the general insecurity of
Beirut.
As previously advised, upon receipt of telegram reporting the attack upon
Mr. Magelssen, which led me to believe that he had been killed, I
immediately went to the Porte and showed the minister for foreign
affairs the telegram from Consul Ravndal and demanded that an immediate
investigation be made and proper explanation given, which resulted in
receipt of telegram a few hours later denying murderous attack on
vice-consul and insecurity of the city.
* * * * * * *
The Porte has abandoned the fairy story advanced at the time that the
shooting was done by a party of wedding guests returning from a feast,
who had no felonious intention. This was simply an absurd theory
advanced by the governor to justify his indifference and inactivity.
Since the attempted assassination of Mr. Magelssen the hou$e of the
Italian consul has been broken into and robbed and the consul himself is
reported to have providentially escaped an assault.
Will keep you fully advised by cable of any new developments.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure 1.]
Mr. Leishman to
Tewfik Pasha.
Legation of the United States,
Constantinople, August 28, 1903.
Your Excellency: I beg to acknowledge
receipt of the telegram which your excellency forwarded to me last
evening in response to the personal representation which I had the
honor to make to your excellency yesterday in reference to the
murderous attack made upon the American vice-consul at Beirut, the
message reading as follows:
“Beirut. The death of the American vice-consul entirely false. Safety
of the city of Beirut perfect.”
It is true that the vice-consul was not injured, but the ball passed
very close to his head and it was no fault of the would-be assassin
that the vice-consul was not killed.
Our consul reports that since my visit to the Sublime Porte the
governor of Beirut has changed his careless and indifferent attitude
and has since expressed regrets and caused an effort to be made to
arrest the would-be assassin, but the consul repeats his former
assertion that the security of the city is far from perfect and has
been for some time past.
[Page 776]
I can not refrain from expressing my surprise at the light manner in
which this as well as other demands of the American Government is
treated, and I must insist upon the most energetic measures being
taken to arrest and punish the would-be assassin and that proper
steps be taken to guarantee the life and property of American
citizens.
With the assurance of my high consideration, etc.,
[Inclosure
2.—Translation.]
Tewfik Pasha to
Mr. Leishman.
Ministry for Foreign Affairs, August 31, 1903.
Mr. Minister: I have received the note that
your excellency was good enough to address me the 28th instant
concerning the aggression of which the United States vice-consul at
Beirut was the victim.
As I have had the honor of informing you, no attempt has been made
upon this agent, and order as well as tranquillity are perfect at
Beirut. The latest information furnished the Sublime Porte by the
governor-general of this province explains the fact which caused the
above-mentioned agent to suppose that his life had been
attempted.
Some people were coming back during the night from a wedding, when
one of them, according to the custom of the country, fired a shot
into the air. The viceconsul, who was passing by at that moment,
thought that the shot was directed against him.
It is this very simple fact which has caused such a regrettable
misunderstanding. The imperial authorities have nevertheless
arrested and kept for trial the abovementioned people.
I feel confident, Mr. Minister, that you will, after having been made
aware of the above facts, acknowledge that the matter in question
should not be considered as an assault on the above-mentioned agent,
and send off to Washington the necessary telegrams to reestablish
things under their proper color.
I am, etc.,
[Inclosure 3.]
Mr. Leishman to
Tewfik Pasha.
Legation of the United States,
Constantinople, September 2, 1903.
Your Excellency: I have received the note
which your excellency had the kindness to address to me under date
of August 31, in which it is stated that no attempt has been made
upon the life of the American vice-consul at Beirut and that the
security of Beirut is perfect.
This statement is in direct contradiction to the reports made by our
consul, who repeats his statements that the shot was directed
point-blank at our vice-consul by a man who was standing on the
sidewalk as the carriage in which he was seated was passing. The
horses becoming frightened at the explosion, bolted, preventing the
vice-consul from jumping from the carriage to grapple his assailant,
and the would-be murderer consequently escaped.
The consul also repeats his statement in regard to the general
insecurity of the city, which he maintains is supported by the other
consuls, and upon inquiry among my colleagues I find this to be the
case.
Under the circumstances I must again ask your excellency to cause
additional orders to be issued directing that prompt and energetic
steps be taken to arrest the would-be murderer and also that proper
measures be taken to more fully protect the lives and property of
American citizens.
I take, etc.,
