The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1914-11-25
MANNING, S. c., WEDNESDAY. NOVEMBER rs, 1914
TOUR FLAG FIRED ON
TURKS RALT LAUNCH GOING into
HARBER OF SMYRNA

! : Seeking EXPLANATION
, Government Officials Waiting to Heal
Il From Ottoman Goyernment-Soms
| of Them Do Not Believe Missile:
Were Thrown About Launch oi
i Tennessee by Cnfriendly Hands.
| The United States government has
directed Ambassador Henry Morgan
ithau at Constantinople to ask an eX-
! PLANTATION Of the firing by Turkish
land forces at lunch from the Amer
}. lean cruiser Tennessee proceeding
from Vourlah to the American Con-
sulate at Smyrna, Asia Minor. Sec
retary Daniels simultaneously cabled
the commander Of the cruiser North
Carolina, also in the Mediterranean
to take no action which might en-
barrass the American government
land to await specific instructions from
Washington.
| These steps followed the receipt of
| a message from Capt. Benton c.
| Decker, commander Of the Tennessee,
paraphrased in this statement from
the navy department.:
capt. B. c. Decker, in command
of the Tennessee, wired Secretary
Daniels Wednesday morning that
while proceeding from Vourlah to
Smyrna to make official calls, ships
boat was fred at. Decker was anx-
ious for the safety Of the consulate.
The Tennessee proceeded to and left
Vourlah at the request OF the ambes-
sader and IS now at anchor in the
harbor Of Scio (Chois), Greece, from
which place Captain Decker's tele-
gram was sent. Secretary Daniels
wired for fuller information"
Although without definite details
as to just what occurred high officials
Of the Washington government had
no doubt that the incident, no matter
where the responsibility lay, would
be adjusted promptly through diplo-
! matte channels. President Wilson is
| determined that under no circum-
| stances shall the United States be in
| volved in war with Turkey.
On account of the slow cable COM
imunication from Constantinople, no
message concerning the incident came
from Ambassador Morganthau. With
the navy's message as the only basis
for judgment president Wilson and
administration officials were puzzled
over what had occurred. The presi-
dent telephoned Secretary Daniels
several times during the day and also
discussed the situation with Acting
Secretary Lansing. Two suggestions
were vouchsafed by high officials, al
though they admitted their views
were purely speculative. The firing,
they thought, probably was friendly
act giving the customary warning by
q single shot signifying to the Ten
nessee's launch that the port Of Smyr-
ma was mined and closed, or else the
boat was turned back because It at
tempted TO enter without previous ar
rangement with the Turkish authort-
ties.
Officials declined to believe the fir
ing was an unfriendly or hostile act.
Assurances given by the Porte have
repeatedly alleged protection and the
closest friendship for American citl-
zens. However, when the American
warships first went to the Mediter-
ranean Turkey was at peace. Since
then the United States has taken
over the diplomatic interests Of Great
Britain and France with whom the
Porte Is at war, circumstance
fraught with delicate responsibilities.
Efforts on the part Of some Mo-
Ihammedan leaders in Turkey to start
"holy war" have made Americans
as we'll as British and French sub
jects apprehensive. The American
consul 1t Smyrna reported his fears
| to Ambassador Morganthau, under
whose instructions the two warships
have been moving about in Turkish
waters.
Twice the Ottoman government has
warned the United States that the
port of Smyrna was mined, and the
| Tennessee, it is understood, has stood
off at Vourlah, 10 miles away, while
her launch started for the shore to
investigate conditions at the consu-
| late.
Regardless OF whether or not
Smyrna is . closed port, under the
regulations Of tae United States navy,
Captain Decker would be justified in
seeking to enter the harbor to ascer-
tain the facts with reference to the
American consulate and its citizens
The regulations virtually would
oblige Captain Decker to communi-
cate with the American consul at
Smyrna il he had learned that the
consulate was threatened, using his
launch if necessary, regardless OF
whether or not the port was closed.
| That Captain Decker did not per-
stst in his attempt to enter was In
dicated by the fac: that his message
said he left at the request Of the am
bassador, who, it is presumed here
sthought It advisable to withdraw the
tship until a better understanding
could be reached. It Is believed also
that If the consulate were in grave
danger the Tennessee would not have
left for Gecian waters.
j Orders to the commanders Of the
Tennessee and the North Carolina t
irefrain from taking steps which
: Imight embarrass the Washington gov
/. ornnoent until snecif1c instruction!
could be given followed careful! con
sideration here Of the wide latitude
> which the navy regulations give tt
naval officers. Both the presiden
!, and Secretary Daniels have absolute
confidence in Captain Decker. Th'
following statement about him va
/. issued by the navy department:
"Capt. Benton C. Decker. now com
manding the U. S. S. Tennessee II
Ill