New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-11-19

OF inc l0licu states navy NhfNhAN
Decker would be justified IN seeking
TO enter the hsvbor TO ascertain the
facts with reference % the American
Consulate and its citizens. Article
l.6A6 Of the regulations reads:
Commanders Duties.
con occasions where injury 20 the
United States or 20 a citizen thereof
is committed or threatened in viola
ton Of the principles Of international
law or treaty rights, the commander
in chief should communicate with 'he
diplomatic representatives or consul OF
the United States and take such steps
As the gravity Of yhc case demands
reporting immedirte,y 10 the Secretary
Of the Navy all che facts
This regulation would pracIcaliE
cbliSe Captain Decker 30 communicate
with the American Consul al Smyrna
after he had learned that the con
sulate was in danger, using his launch
i necessary, regardless Of whether me
port was closed by the Turkish OH
cisls.
Under Article l647, giving the ou-
ties Of a naval commander ln such q
situation. the statement rs made that'
while IL is illegal 90 u.e force against
foreign and friendly state, 'nte
right OF sclf-prcsery alton is ren'
which belongs 70 the states as well as
iii, individuals and includes the pro
lection Of the state, its honor and us
uossessions. and the lives and prop
crtv of its citizens against aroltrar!
violence. actual or impending Where-
ay the state or its citizens may su"eI
nrepsrablc injury.
That Captain Decker did not pelSiS
IN his attempt 60 enter smyrna was lh-
Sicated bv the fact that his message
soid he left at the request OF the am
issso5or who. II is presumed here,
thoucbt it advisable 20 Withdraw inc
shin until 8 better understanding could
he reached on such points as had arisen
4. is believed also that If the consulate
we're I'm grave danger the Tennessee
never would have left for Greclan
waters.
Confidence in Captain Decker.
The orders to both the commander
Of the Tennessee and the North Caro-
ina 70 refrain from taking any steps
which might embarrass the Washington
government until specific instructions
could be given followed careful eonsid-
Grafton here OF the wide latitude which
Articles 1916 and l647 Of the navy
regulations give 20 naval officers
Both the President and Secretary
Daniels have absolute confidence in
Captain Decker. however. tho following
statement about him beng issued to-
dsv bv the Navy Department;
Captain Benton c. Decker, now com
handing the United States ship Ten
nesSee in Turkish waters, Is an oIncei
with an excellent record during has ser
vice Of twonty-seven years since graz
uation from the Naval Academy, 10
which he was appointed from Illinois
IN 1855. lie has had considerable eN'
perieuce in duty similar 20 that which
he is now performing in Turkish wa.
ters lie was in command OF the United
States scout cruiser Chester during the
war between Italy and Turkey.
During this war the Chester spent
considerable time i'm Tripo.itan waters
looking out for the interests of Amer
leans. These duties were well per
formed by Captain Decker, who had
similar duties while In command of the
Chester in Santo DOMINICAN waters dur
ing a revolution several years ago.
Captain Decker was promoted 10 cap
tain July /, 1918. and was ordered TO
duty on the staff Of the Naval War
College. from which duty he was de-
tached TO command the Tennessee II
August last. when that vessel was sent
10 Europe for the relief OF distressed
Americans in the war zone
Anxiety for Americans.
one effect Of the incident it is gen
orally believed in diplomatic circles
here will be to emphasize to the Porte
tbe anxiety Of the United States for
the safety Of its subjects in Turkey.
aitions have been uncertain fol
many months, even before Turkey en-
tered the war Ambassador Morgen
thau had consular reports volclng ap-
prehension early last summer and
asked for a warship. lnasmuch as the
Tennessee had been ordered 10 Europe
10 carry gold, the Washington admin
istration took advantage of the COIN
cidence and sent the two relief ships
10 linger in the Levant for emergencies.
vefore Turkey entered the war Eng
land and France signitied their hope
that the United States would send war
sbips TO Turkey for the protection OF
Christians, as they did not want "a
send their own vessels for fear Of sg-
gravating an already tense situation
/ tween the Triple Entente and the
Porte. .,...
Turk sh officials lave threatened tc
execute three English or French sub
jects for every Mussulman killed IN
bombardments by the fleets OF The
Alnes on unfortifed towns. Ameri
cans have feared that if sue. threat
should be carried out, on account Of
their similarity Of speech and appear
ance they might be thrown into dan
ge Il is feared in some quarters, too
that the Turks may not appreciate th'
diplomatic respOnsib lities resting upo-
American consuls in caring for British
and French subjects, and that cOmph
cations may come in this connection.
Administration officials are absorbed
in the situation. Their messages .
the Tennessee and the NOrtA Carolina
were sent by every available route Il
make certain Of their prompt delivery
Chios, Egean Sea, Nov. 17-Th
American armored cruiser Tennessee
arrived in this port to-day. 1t is state
that yesterday, while the captain o
the Tennessee was in the ship
launch. which was flying the American
flag, on his way to pay the customar.
visits on the Turkish officials at Smyr
ia, three solid shots were fired on thu
boat by the forts.
The American Ambassador, Henry
Morgenthau, without investigating the
incident, it is said, Immediately ordered
the Tennessee from Turkish waters a