farcical. As the revolver was discharged directly against my carriage and within very close range, the boy, Wadia, son of Youseph, can not be the guilty party. Such a bold and unusually daring attempt as was made on my life Sunday evening could only be planned and carried into effect by a desperate character. The reply received was most unsatisfactory and the incident has been reported to our honorable legation at Constantinople. I seize, etc., WILLIAM C. MAGELSSEN, United States Vice and Deputy Consul. No. 551.] Mr. Leishman to Mr. Hay. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, 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 house 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. [Inclosure 1.] JOHN G. A. LEISHMAN. Mr. Leishman to Tewfik Pasha. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, 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. 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., JOHN G. A. LEISHMAN. [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. TEWFIK. LEGATION OF the UniteD STATES, 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., JOHN G. A. LEISHMAN. Mr. Leishman to Mr. Hay. [Telegram.-Paraphrase.] LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, (Mr. Leishman reports the receipt, on September 8, of the following telegram from the United States consul at Beirut: Riot yesterday. Seven Christians and 4 natives killed; several wounded. Two Christian houses pillaged by soldiery. Panic general. Consulate occupied by officer and signal men from admiral's ship. Ready to land 500 marines. Investigation of conditions at Beirut made by flag lieutenant, our vice-consul, and other consular officers. Mr. Leishman states that the consul fails to report the cause of the trouble; that the Sublime Porte claims the city is quiet again, and that the number of troops stationed at Beirut is sufficiently large to guarantee security.) Mr. Leishman to Mr. Hay. [Telegram.-Paraphrase.] LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, (Mr. Leishman transmits the following report from the consul at Beirut: Situation continues grave. Disturbances largely due to acute dissatisfaction with weak and corrupt administration, and a number of consuls have telegraphed their embassies urging that the present governor be removed. Mr. Leishman adds that the action of the admiral in command of the United States fleet in agreeing to comply with the request of the consular body to land marines in case of need has been very favorably commented on.) Mr. Hay to Mr. Leishman. [Telegram.-Paraphrase.] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, September 8, 1903. (Referring to Mr. Leishman's recent telegrams, Mr. Hay states that the disquieting situation at Beirut shows the inefficiency of the present authorities to preserve order and insure safety, and instructs Mr. Leishman to act in harmony with the Italian ambassador, urging change of governor at Beirut, supporting the demand by whatever considerations affect American citizens and interests. Mr. Hay requests Mr. Leishman's views as to how long the United States war ships now in Turkish waters should remain.) No. 554.] Mr. Leishman to Mr. Hay. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, SIR: The advices sent you by cable will have given a fair idea of the condition of affairs at Beirut. The general conditions prevailing in Beirut are favorable to troubles of this kind, as the Christian population outnumbers the Moslem, and it is highly probable that many of the outrages are committed with the knowledge, if not sanction, of the authorities with a view of cowing the Christian population, which is not any too good, into subjec tion, and being so close to the Lebanon, where the people are much more free, it is highly probable that the Christian element contributes largely to keeping up the excitement with the hope that Beirut may eventually be included in the Lebanon. The best of governors would have a difficult task in maintaining peace and quietness, and from all reports the present governor is far from being a model executive officer. For many months past few people have been hardy enough to venture to walk out at night, and recent developments would indicate that it was not even safe to drive. Our people speak very highly of many of the local governors, such as at Harput, Diarbekir, and Damascus, but no one, not even the better class of Turkish officials, has a good word to say about the governor at Beirut, and I am quite certain that the present grand vizier did his best to have him removed some time ago. * •*• Desirous as I am to get matters adjusted in order that the fleet may be sent away, * * * I am waiting patiently from day to day and hour to hour to receive overtures from the Sublime Porte, and under all the circumstances I can see no other policy at present to pursue. The presence of our ships in the harbor at Beirut is undoubtedly very opportune for both the native Christian and foreign population, and even if they were to leave before the present trouble is settled, France or some other power would send ships. There is no great change in the general situation except a very noticeable increased feeling of antagonism to foreigners in general. * * * I have, etc., JOHN G. A. LEISHMAN. Mr. Leishman to Mr. Hay. [Telegram.-Paraphrase.] LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, (Mr. Leishman reports that ten days ago he intimated discreetly to the grand vizier the necessity of changing the governor at Beirut, but that he did not feel warranted in making formal demand without Department's approval; that he will now make formal demand in compliance with instructions, and endeavor to have same supported by Italian and other colleagues. Mr. Leishman thinks that even if the present governor of Beirut is removed and security reestablished, the United States squadron should remain in Turkish waters until the settlement of pending questions. Mr. Leishman to Mr. Hay. [Telegram.-Paraphrase.] LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, (Mr. Leishman reports that he called upon the Turkish minister for foreign affairs on September 9 and made a formal demand that the present governor of Beirut be removed on the ground that it was deemed impossible to secure proper protection for the lives and property of American citizens under his administration. Mr. Leishman is inclined to believe that the demand will receive prompt and favorable consideration.). Mr. Adee to Mr. Leishman. [Telegram.-Paraphrase.] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, September 9, 1903. (Mr. Adee states that the minister of Turkey on September 8 informed the Secretary of State that the Turkish Government considered the presence of the United States squadron in Turkish waters a cause of excitement and asked its withdrawal. Mr. Hay told him we failed to share this view; that the entire consular body regarded it as a protection; that we considered that our representations had not received the friendly attention we had a right to expect, and that compliance with the request for withdrawal, leaving all pending questions unsettled and interests unprotected, would have an unfortunate effect on the relations of the two countries. Mr. Leishman's report on the situation, and particularly as to the movements of the squadron, will be awaited.) Mr. Leishman to Mr. Hay. [Telegram.-Paraphrase.] LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, (Mr. Leishman reports that the French ambassador has demanded the removal of the governor of Beirut, and that others will no doubt take similar action.) Mr. Leishman to Mr. Hay. [Telegram.-Paraphrase.] LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, (Mr. Leishman states that the firm stand taken by the Department will undoubtedly have good effect. * The policy of the |