The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1912-11-09
TWO j. S. WARSH|PS
TO C0NSTANT|NOPLE
To Afford Protection and Places
Of Refuge for Americans
in Turkey.
WE WILL NOT INTERFERE
Government Still to Continue
Hands OFF" Policy Regard
ing Balkan War.

WASHINGTON. Nov. s.-Two United
States warships wiz join tho international
squadrons now gathering before Constan-
tinoplc in anticipation of the fall of the
Turkish, capital. President Taft to-day
after consultation with his Cabinet di-
rected that the armored cruisers Tennessee
ment. proceed Al once to the Mediter-
ranean. They will leave from the Phila-
delphia Navy Yard tomorrow and should
reach Constantinople in about eighteen
days.
The declated purpose Of this move
on the part OF the President is to afford
Americans in both Turkey in Europe
and Turkey in Asia means of protection
and refuge. There is every reason to
believe that this is the fact. and there ap-
p ears to he not the slightest ground for
assuming that the sending of the American
warships may be taken to indicate that the
United States intends to take hand in
the political aspects Of the situation. While
no conferences have been had with other
Governments with regard to the sending
Of the American cruisers to the Mediter-
ranean there is reason to believe that the
Presidcnt's g action will be properly under
stood by the foreign Powers and not mis-
construed into anything beyond q protec-
tive precaution.
There are many Americans in both east
ern and western Turkey. At Beirut and
Smyrna in Asia Minor there are many
American missionaries and educators
1t is the safety Of these Americans that
the Administration is understood to have
in mind in sending the vessels.
Ambassador Rockhill at Constantin%ple
has been instructed to confer with his
colleagues of the diplomatic corps. II
is fully recognized here that not only il
the Balkan crisis matter which more
Immediately concerns the European Pow
ers. but also their representatives at the
Turkish capital are prepared to take every
step necessary for the protection Of their
nationals and their interests. For this
reason Ambassador Rockhill has been
instructed to act only In cooperation with
his European colleagues in any measures
hemay take for the protection Of Ameri-
cans in Turkey.
While It is feared that the disorders may
occur in Constantinople II the retreating
Turks continue to give way to the allied
troops. it is believed that che European
squadrons will be In position to take
care of tho situation there. The chief
anxiety in Washington is understood to be
for the safety Of Americans in other cities
Of Turkey. Advices received here in
dictate that the fate Of Constantinople will
be settled in comparatively short time.
probably before the Tennessee and Mon
tana can reach that city. As it is under
stood that the Turks intend, if CONSTANT
nope Is lost to move over into Asia Minor,
it IL feared that Americans in that region
may be endangered.
Rear Admiral Austin NJ. Knight will be
in charge of the American squadron.
admiral knight is commsnder o, in chief Of
the two cruisers belong. Rear Admirals
Fletcher and Field will command the two
cruisers. They have a speed of % knots
The fact that this Government ascending
two light cruisers instead Of two dread
noughts is expected to make plain to the
world the fact that the President & action
IN purely for purposes OF affording pro-
lection to Americans should his course
bo called in question. The failure of the
United States to despatch warships to
tho Mediterranean at the moment when
the European Powers issued orders for their
squadrons to go to Constantinople was
taken here rs an indication that this
Government intended to leave IL to the
European Governments to look after the
interests of Americans.
Although no positive statements were
made the impression was given that a
= hands on policy would would be pursued in
the situation changed materially. While
II is understood no notes to this effect
were exchanged with the other Govern
ments 1t IL known that such a course was
the one the European Powers expected
Washington to adopt
This Government will not seek to par
ticipate in the International conference
which Ia expected TO follow the fighting
botVoen Turkey and the allios 1t WA,