A Turkish Outbreak, Which Will Render Foreign Interference Necessary
LONDON, May 10.—The following dispatch has been received here from the foreign governments having consuls at Salonica in regard to the recent riot in that city, whereby the French and German consuls were brutally murdered, and the American and Italian consuls grossly insulted and their lives endangered:— “While at the railway station the attention of the American consul was called to a young and beautiful Christian girl surrounded by a crowd of Mussulmans, and who was calling for assistance and protection. The Mussulmans were trying to forcibly conduct her to a mosque. The American consul interfered, taking her under his protection, and at once set about finding out to what nationality she belonged. In the meantime, word had been separately dispatched to the French and German consuls informing them that a Christian girl of their nationality had been forcibly taken to the mosque. On this information they at once went to the latter place, where a large mob had congregated. No sooner had they reached it than they were fallen upon by the infuriated Mussulmans and brutally beaten to death.” “The Porte has sent the following contradictory statement to the Ottoman ambassador at London: ‘A number of Mohammedans had congregated at the Salonica railway station for the purpose of meeting a convert to their faith, as is their custom, and conducting her to the residence of the governor-general. When the train arrived the United States consul, with about 150 persons, was in attendance, and as soon as the convert stepped from the cars they rushed up to her, tore off her veil and mantle, and forcibly conducted her to the residence of a Christian. The exasperated Mohammedans appealed to the governor and demanded that the girl should be brought to his residence. He learned that the consuls of France and Germany had entered the mosque, around which there was an excited multitude, and at once went to their assistance, with the intention of securing their withdrawal from the mosque and quieting the people. When he reached there the mob was beyond his control. Bars were wrenched from the gratings, and the consuls were struck down and beaten to death before his eyes, although he attempted to save them by interposing his own person. The mob was subsequently dispersed by the troops, and the guilty parties arrested.’” “Various other conflicting dispatches have been received. One is that the American consul conducted the young lady to his consulate, which was immediately besieged, and that the French and German consuls, each learning of his danger, went to his assistance, and on the way were attacked and murdered, the American consul being saved by troops sent to his assistance by the governor, at the request of the Italian consul. Another dispatch says that the Turkish troops refused to move when requested to quell the riot by the Italian consul. Still another telegram states that the French and German consuls were dragged from the streets into the mosque and there sabred before the arrival of the governor, but previous to the assault on the German consul he was compelled to sign an order on the American consul for the release of the convert.” “It is thought in Berlin that these difficulties will prove fatal to Turkey, as the interference of the great powers of Europe for the protection of Christians is unavoidable, as the Porte is powerless in the matter. The German government is reported to have consented to an offer from the Porte to give satisfaction for the Salonica outrage, providing the conditions are immediately complied with.” “The German corvette Medusa, and Russian, Austrian, French, British and Italian men-of-war have been ordered to the scene of the troubles immediately.” Accounts of the outbreak and excitement at Salonica differ widely. It is evident, however, that a breach has begun between the Christians and the Mussulmans that will render foreign interference necessary. Naval vessels of five or six different governments have already been ordered to Salonica. The officers of these vessels will act in unison, and any further outrage on any representation of a foreign government will probably be followed by a prompt and effectual bombardment of the city, without waiting for special orders.