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| John Leishman. |
Cortland Evening Standard, Saturday, August 29, 1903.
MAGELSSEN UNINJURED.
Vice Consul at Beirut Fired at Without Effect.
ERROR IN MISREADING CIPHER.
Local Turkish Officials Expressed Regret and Promised to Exert Themselves to Make Arrests—Minister Leishman Suggested That American Naval Demonstration Be Made.
Washington, Aug. 29.—A decidedly new turn in the case of United States Vice Consul William C. Magelssen at Beirut, Syria, who was reported to have been assassinated last Sunday, developed last night when it became known that the report was incorrect and although Mr. Magelssen had been shot at he had not even been injured.
This information came to the state department in a dispatch from Minister Leishman at Constantinople. The dispatch from the minister was communicated at once to the president at Oyster Bay.
Its contents were extremely gratifying to the officials of the government here as it relieved the situation of its extreme tension and leaves the way open for an amicable and peaceful adjustment of the incident.
Acting Secretary Loomis declined to make public the text of Minister Leishman's dispatch but he gave a summary of its contents, which show that Mr. Magelssen had been shot at by some person at the time unknown to the officials but that he had not been hit.
The local Turkish officials were prompt to express their regret at the occurrence and were exerting themselves to apprehend the would-be assassin but thus far had been unsuccessful.
The minister's dispatch also said that Consul Ravndal had reported to him that some of the foreign consuls located at Beirut had reported to their governments that the situation at that place had become exceedingly unsafe, that this condition of affairs had existed for some time and that something ought to be done to relieve the tension.
The opinion was expressed that the attempted assassination of Magelssen probably would bring matters to a focus. Minister Leishman in one of his dispatches to the department suggested that conditions were such that it might be well to have some American naval demonstration in Turkish waters.
Reports also have come to the government from the missionary interests of threatened destruction of their property at Harpoot, and because of this Admiral Cotton will be probably allowed to proceed to Beirut.
Acting Secretary Darling received a cablegram from the admiral dated Villafranche, saying that he had left that place with the cruisers Brooklyn and San Francisco for Genoa on the way to Beirut.
MONASTIR CORRESPONDENCE.
Details of Attack on American College at Harpoot.
Boston, Aug. 29.—Mail advices from Monastir give details of the murder of the Russian consul, saying that on the day of the assassination several women observed five armed Turks in the quarters at the guard house and when the shooting occurred one Turk asked another "What is the matter?" One of the five armed men replied: "A dog was killed," after which the five men went away.
The vali received the remains and remarked that the consul was to blame for using his revolver on the policeman.
When the body of the consul was brought to his home it was found that he not only had been shot but that his head had been crushed in by a blow from a policeman's rifle.
Detailing the interview of Hilim Pasha with Madame Rostkovsky and the offer of $40,000 to the widow by the Turkish authorities the account says Madame Rostkovsky replied, saying:
"The blood of my husband cannot be paid for by Turkish money. Give the check back to your master and if he does not know what to do with it tell him to give it to his soldiers who have received no pay for so many months. Here are the decorations which the sultan bestowed on my husband and myself. I return them through you."
As far as the American board is advised the attempt to burn the American college, the date of which is not known, resulted in little damage, as the building was of stone. The fact that the attempt was made, however, is viewed as evidence of the hostility of the Turks towards civilizing influences and an increasing daring in their attitude towards the United States.
The situation in eastern Turkey as presented by the board officials is that when demand was made last December that American institutions in Turkey be granted the same concessions as those of other governments, promises were considered a sufficient answer by the Turks. The promises were not kept and the matter was not pushed which, it is blamed, encouraged the Turks last June to seize H. Tenekejian, a native teacher in the mission schools, on a charge of sedition. He was kept in confinement, and the American board appealed to the state department.
Thus the case has stood since June, Mr. Tenekejian being still in confinement; and the American board expresses the belief that, fearing nothing, the Turks with growing fanaticism did not hesitate at setting fire to the college building.
Knowledge of these facts, emphasized by the cablegram announcing the growing danger, have prompted the board managers to do everything possible to gain the attention of the state department and of the president himself.
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| Theodore Roosevelt. |
NO CHANGE OF PLAN.
President Says European Squadron Will Continue to Beirut.
Oyster Bay, Aug. 29.—President Roosevelt was informed last night of the incorrectness of the report that Vice Consul William C. Magelssen at Beirut, Syria, had been assassinated.
The president expressed gratification that Consul Magelssen had escaped without injury from the assault of the would-be murderer. He announced, however, that no change at present would be made in the plans of this government and that the European squadron would continue to Beirut. It can be said that the president and Secretary Hay both regard it advisable because of conditions to have American war vessels in Turkish waters.
For several hours President Roosevelt and Secretary Hay were in conference at Sagamore Hill. They discussed every phase of the Turkish situation. At the conclusion of the conference Secretary Hay announced his intention of going immediately to Washington.
The fact that Secretary Hay considers his presence in Washington necessary at this time indicates the serious view he takes of the Turkish situation, as he had not expected to return to Washington for several weeks.
The secretary arrived here from New Hampshire at 12:20 p. m. He left Sagamore Hill about half past 4 o'clock.
At 11 o'clock last night a telegram was received from Acting Secretary of State Loomis at Washington communicating the text of a cablegram from Minister Leishman at Constantinople, relative to the inaccuracy of the report of Consul Magelssen's assassination.
Minister Leishman explains that the error occurred in deciphering a telegram received from Consul Ravndal at Beirut.
It can be said to be the purpose of President Roosevelt to afford American citizens in the disturbed provinces of Turkey all the protection possible. For that reason and for others which may develop in a short time the decision is reached that no change at this time will be made in the orders to the European squadron.
TEACHERS WIN STRIKE.
Compel School Board to Grant Advance in Wages.
The schoolteachers in Adams township, Champaign county, O., went out on a strike three months ago for higher wages, and the matter has just been settled by the board of education agreeing to give the teachers what they asked. The board has only been paying $40 per month for teachers, and the teachers in a body, with the superintendent, informed the board that they would not teach any more unless they were given a raise of $5 per month.
The board at first refused to grant the demand. The schoolteachers were well organized, and they prevented any applications from being filed with the board for the positions, which was unable to get other teachers. At a recent meeting the board was compelled to give the striking teachers $45 per month.
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| Elihu Root. |
PAGE FOUR—EDITORIAL.
Secretary Root's Retirement.
Little can he added to the admirable statement of Secretary Root's great service to the country embodied in President Roosevelt's letter accepting the secretary's resignation.
Secretary Root came to the cabinet of President McKinley at a period when our operations in the field during the Spanish war had shown the limitations of our military organization, and when a statement of ability was needed to define our relations with the new territory acquired by the treaty with Spain and with the liberated island of Cuba. All of the new possessions and the island of Cuba were under control of the war department, which for a time exercised both military and civil authority. The transition from complete military control to almost complete civil control has taken place and has been guided by Secretary Root. He has established new precedents in dealing with new conditions. In all, he has shown constructive statesmanship of the highest order. After accomplishing the work of pacification and the establishment of civil power, the defects in our army organization were remedied.
Secretary Root has shown the highest patriotism and a thorough knowledge of the basic principles and purposes of our government in the settlement of the questions relating to new possessions. Having mastered these questions as they arose, Secretary Root claims the privilege of retiring to private life. He certainly deserves an opportunity for rest, and will retire from public service after the arbitration in London of the Alaska boundary comes to a close. It is to be hoped that his great abilities will not be permanently lost to the government and the nation.
His successor in the war department has been trained to the work before him through intimate association with the retiring secretary in the conduct of Philippine affairs. And there is every assurance that Governor Taft will continue the administration of the war department in the same spirit as his predecessor.
Ray W. Hollenbeck.
Ray W. Hollenbeck died yesterday afternoon at the home of his aunt, Mrs. Harry Williams, 2 miles east of the city, aged 26 years. He leaves two brothers, Fred Hollenbeck and Glenn Hollenbeck, both of Cortland.
The funeral will be held Sunday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock and the interment will be in Cortland Rural cemetery.
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| One of the Dryden Fair buildings. |
THE DRYDEN FAIR
Will be Held this Year September 15, 16, and 17.
The dates for the Dryden, N. Y., fair this year are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, Sept. 15, 16 and 17. Liberal premiums are offered in every department, amounting to $5,000 in cash and a long list of valuable specials. The grounds and exhibition halls are electric lighted and evening carnivals will be held. Many high class attractions have been secured for both afternoons and evenings.
The special attractions will be the best ever given in Dryden. Among them will be the Flying Moore troupe of aerialists; Signorina Ell Salto, the marvelous European flexible equilibrist; Mons. Mordo, the wonderful balancing trapeze artist from Germany; M'lle Annette in her silver wire act and others.
Some of the most valuable special premiums will be a $125 corn harvester for best herd of stock; $65 New Home sewing machine for best display of bakestuff; $65 Singer sewing machine for finest sofa pillow; $50 Standard sewing machine for best lady's white petticoat; $50 Ithaca gun for trap shooting contest; $50 bicycle to winner of bicycle race; $30 bicycle to the most graceful young lady rider; $35 fur coat for best single turnout exhibited on track, driven by owner's wife or daughter.
THE CORTLAND FAIR CLOSED.
A List of Some of the Special Premiums Awarded.
Notwithstanding the fact that rain fell without ceasing all day and that the grounds were in an indescribable condition on account of the rain and mud, about 2,000 people were on the fairgrounds yesterday afternoon.
Many of them were present looking after their exhibits and packing them up for removal; others were present through necessity, but the great majority were visitors present out of the desire to see everything that was going on. Much interest was shown in the way the prizes were awarded and this accounts to quite an extent for the number that braved the storm. The fair house was filled most of the afternoon.
The Corset City band furnished music throughout the afternoon to the enjoyment of those who crossed the sea of mud this side of the grandstand.
Owners of live stock, poultry, etc., and many exhibitors began removing their property from the grounds during the day. Most of the live stock has been removed by this time but it will be necessary to keep some of the tents up for a few days.
The grounds were flooded this morning, there being a veritable lake where the poultry tent stood.
The Prize Piano.
The entrance prize, a Merrill piano, donated by Chase & Smith and by the society, went to Daniel Bryant.
Some of the Special Premiums.
A few other special prizes were awarded as follows: Silk waist donated by M. A. Case for the best 5-pound package of butter, Mrs. T. A. Burlingham of McGraw.
A. S. Burgess' prize of a pair of shoes to the man producing the heaviest potato went to C. H. Munson of Cortlandville. Mr. Munson is to send a bushel of potatoes to the St. Louis exposition. A representative of the State Agricultural society was upon the grounds and it is at his request that Mr. Munson is to forward his produce to St. Louis. Mr. Munson also won the prize of $2 offered by B. F. Taylor for the best bushel of potatoes.
B. H. Wheeler won the suit case offered by Burgess for the heaviest apple.
C. E. Humphries of McGraw won the suit of cloths offered by F. Daehler for the best 5-pound pail of butter.
The Sterling range offered by W. W. Bennett for the largest variety of bread, biscuit and rolls went to Mrs. Calvin Priest.
The Red Cross range offered by the F. D. Smith Hardware Co. to the lady having the best and most complete exhibit of bread and cake went to Mrs. A. N. Starr.
The half barrel of flour offered by C. A. Moore to the lady exhibiting the best loaf of bread made from Harter's flour went to Mrs. M. J. Dickerson, and for the best loaf from Ceresota flour to Mrs. E. B. Nash.
Mrs. F. L. Burnham won the barrel of Big Jo flour offered by the Corner grocery for the best loaf of bread from that flour.
Mrs. George Barrows of Groton won the sewing machine offered by M. L. Decker for the best chicken pie.
Mrs. Calvin Priest won the barrel of Baldwin's Best flour offered for the best loaf of bread from that brand of flour.
The Stewart range [stove] offered by Cramer & Spencer for the five largest apples, pears, and potatoes went to Fred Per Lee of McLean.
Five pounds of baking powder offered by Perkins & Quick for the best layer cake went to Mrs. Calvin Priest.
These are but a few of nearly 200 special premiums which were offered by Cortland's business firms.
Prize Bees.
Dana B. Denison came in for a lot of premiums for his exhibit of bees and honey. He secured first and second premiums on Italian bees, first and second on Carniolan bees, second on black bees, second on beeswax, first on case of Clover honey, second on case of basswood honey, second on light extract honey and first on dark extract boney.
The Peck furniture house was awarded the prize for the most attractive and best decorated booth in the fair building.
BREVITIES.
—The Republican county convention will be held in Taylor hall Tuesday, Sept. 1, at 2 p. m.
—The new display advertisement today is—C. A. Moore, H. C. Poultry food, page 6.
—Rev. James Rain, who has recently accepted a call to Riverhead, L. I., will preach his farewell sermon at the union service in the Congregational church tomorrow evening.
—The regular monthly meeting of the board of health, which was to have been held at the office of the city clerk last evening, did not materialize, two members of the board, Chairman W. A. Stockwell and Dr. E. M. Santee, being present. Several members are out of town and the rest failed to show up.
—The board of assessors of the city of Cortland will meet in Fireman's hall, Tuesday, Sept. 1, at 10 o'clock a. m. to hear and determine all complaints in relation to the city assessments and to review the same. The assessment rolls may be examined at the office of the city clerk until that time.
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