The Sentinel=record., 1914-11-19

Washngton, Nov. 1S.-The United States government has directed Am
 assador Henry Morgenthau at Con stantnople to ask the ottoman gov ernment for an explanation of the firing by Turkish land forces at a launch from the American cruiser Tennessee. proceeding from VourIah 10 the American consulate at smyrna, Asa Minor
 Secretary Dan.eis with the appro. val of President Wilson simujtan. eously cabled the commanders of the Tennessee and the North Carolina also in the Mediterranean, to take a1 action which might embarraas the American government and to await specific instructions from Washington concerning the general situation These steps followed the recei ot a message from Captain Benton C. Decker commander of the Tenues see, which was paraphrased in ths state ment from the navy dpnartment:
 Captain B. C. Decker in command of the Tennessee, wired Secretary Daniels this morning that while pro- ceeding from Vourlah 10 Smyrna tc make official calls, the boat was fired at Consul anxious for safety of con- suIate. Tennessee proceeded to and left Vourlah at request of amhassad r aad is now anchored in the harbor or Scio CChios). Greece, from wh ch Captain Deckers telegram was sent. Secretary Daniels wired for fuller in- formation"
 Although without definite details as to just what occurred, high officials of the Washington goyernmentthad no doubt that the incident no mat @ where the responsibility lay would be promptly adjusted through diplomatic channels President Wilson is de- termiued that under no circumstances shall the United States be involved in war with Turkey If the Turkish of ficers acted without authority of the Ottoman government and the ii ing was not justified by naval procedur@ in a closed port it is coafdetly b Heyed here that the ottoman govern ment will render an apology
 On account of the slow cable com munication from Constantinople moth. ing concerning the incident came From Ambassador Morgenthau
 Two suggestions were vouchsafed .by high officials, although they ad. mitted that their views were purely speculative The firing, they thought prcbably was friendly act giving the customary warning by single shot, signifying the Tennessee's launch that the port of smyrna was mined and closed or else the boat was turned back because it attempted 10 enter without previous arrangements hay.
 ing been made with the Turkish all thorities. Officials of the govern .ment declined to believe that the fir ing was an unfricndly or hostile act. Assurances give by the ports have re- .peatedly pledged protection and the closest friendship for American cit zens.
 Recent efforts on the rart Of some of the Mohammedan leaders in Tur- key to start a "holy war have made Americans as well as British and French subjects arprehensive, how ever.
 Twice the Ottoman government has given the United States warning that the port of smyrna was mined and for this reason the Tennessee. it is understood, stood off at Vourlah, ten
 miles away, while her launch stEted for the shore 10 investigate conditions at the consulate
 Regardless of whether or not SmyT-
 ma is a closed port under the reeula ticXns of the United states navy,
 Captain Decker would be justified tn seeking to enter the harbor to ascer-