Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Annual Message of the President Transmitted to Congress December 7, 1903

Mr. Leishman to Mr. Hay.

[Telegram.—Paraphrase.]

Legation of the United States,
Constantinople, September 8, 1903.

(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.)