Evening star., 1912-11-09
CRUISERS AS REFUGE
Reasons for Sending U. S.
Warships to Mediterranean.
SAFETY OF AMERICANS
Danger of Anarchy Manifest in the
Capital of Turkey.
ORDER APPROVED BY TAFT
Measure Regarded as Necessary Pre-
caution, in View of the Bal
kan Troubles.
SAFETY OF AMERICANS
ORDER APPROVED BY TAFT

At the Navy Department today it was
said the armored cruisers Tennessee and
Montana would put to sea Monday from
the Philadelphia navy yard for their mis-
sion in the Mediterranean to protect
Americans in Turkey All of the details
of preparation are in the hands of Ad-
miral knight. who will command the ex-
pedition. 1t is assumed that if Ameri-
can life becomes imperiled at CONSTANT
nople or elsewhere in Turkey before the
arrival of the American vessels asylum
would be afforded American citizens on
the British vessels which are parts of the
International fleet now nearing Constan-
tinople.
The American Red Cross is not planning
to send any relief supplies to the seat of
war on the two American vessels as 1T is
its general policy to send money. From
this distance it would be hard for the
organization to determine what supplies
most were needed.
United States Not Involved.
The first disposition of the State De-
partment had been to refrain from send
ing any American warships to the Bos-
phorus, for the double reason that their
appearance there might be taken as an
evidence Of American participation in the
great political questions involved in the
present Balkan war and its settlement;
also because so rapid has been the prog
ress of the war that probably the ships
could not reach ConStantinople in time
to be of any real service.
But since the Presidents return from
Cincinnati. and following a conference
with the State Department officials, the
fact was demonstrated that our naval
vessels could be employed as places of
refuge for American citizens in Tnrkpv in
case of general anarchy, or the existence
of conditions of disol der beyond the con-
troll of the military commanders on both
sides. There is amp.e precedent for do
ing this without laying the government
open to the charge that some political
purpose is to be served, or that there is
any intention to intervene between the
belligerents, even to the extent of par
ticipating in an international naval dem
onstration before Constantinople.
Department Explains.
The formal explanation. of the State
Department for the issue of these orders
is as follows: ..--
I'm view Of rumors of possible dis
turbances in Turkey the President has
ordered two ships to proceed to the Medi-
terranean. with a view TO relieving any
apprehension that might be felt by Amer
ican missionaries and educators. who are
there In great numbers, especially at
Beirut and Smyrna The American am
bassador at COnstantinople is under in
struct1onS to confer with his European
colleagues, whose governments are more
immediately interested, and are under
stood to be prepared to take what meas
ures might be necessary if by any chance
conditions of turbulence affecting the
safety of foreigners should arise
The Tennessee and the Montana are
sister ships of 1850 tons displacement,
and are among the speediest large vessels
in the navy, being rated at about 22h
knots. While not as heavily armored as
a battleShip, the cruisers are amply able
to take care of themselves under any or
dinary circumstances, even a lombard
ment, and have splendid batteries of ten
the Tennessee is Capt Harry a. Field.
and of the Montana, Lieut.. Commander
Wilbur G. Briggs.
The new revenue cutter Unalda, Capt.
Crisp, fine vessel of ], 100 tons, with
crew of seventy men, and a battery of
three-inch guns, is at Port Said, at the
western entrance of the SueZ canal and
may be recalled from her voyage through
the Red sea to California, to serve as
refuge for any distressed Americans in
Turkish waters. 1t is said that she can
reach Constantinople, if directed to do so,
in the course of two or three days.
The consent of the Turkish COVE. nment
to the passage of the Dardanelles by the
American war vessels must be secured
as matter of form, but it is not doubted
that this will be readily given.
Crews Already Selected.
NEWPORT, r. l., November Oar
rangements were made today to send
800 petty officers and seamen from the
naval training station to Philadelphia as
part of the complement assigned to the
cruisers Tennessee and Montana, which
have been ordered to Turkey. The men
will report at the Philadelphia navy yard
tomorrow.
PORTSMOUTH,, y. H., November g.
Thirty marines from the Portsmouth
navy yard left for Philadelphia today.
They will do duty on the cruisers Ten
nessee and Montana.