Norwich bulletin., 1914-11-19
To Ask Turkey
 for Explanation
FOR FIRING UPON LAUNCH OF
 CRUISER TENNESSEE
OFFICIALS ARE PUZZLED
Inclined to Believe It Was Friendly Action Warning That Harbor is MIned-commanders Notified to Take No Overt Action.

Washington, Nov 1s.-The United States government has directed An . bassador Merry Morgenthau at Con- stantinople to ask the Ottoman gos- ernment for an explanation for the firing by Turkish land forces at a launch from the American cruiser Teh- nessee, which was proceeding from Vourlah to the American consulate at Smyrna, Asia Minor.
 Secretary Daniels, with the appro Sal of President Wilson, simultaneously cabled the commanders of the Tennes- see and the North Carolina, also in the Mediterranean, to take no action which might embarrass the American govern from Washington concerning the gen. eral situation.
 Message from Commander of Ten
 nessee.
 These steps followed the receipt of a message from Capt. Benton C. Deck CT. commander of the Tennessee, which was paraphraSed in this statement from the navy department:
 Capt. B. C.. Decker. in command Cf the Tennessee, wired Secretary Dar- lels this morning that while proceeding g from VourIah to Smyrna to make off, cial calls the boat was fired on. Consul anxious for safety of consulate. Ten nessee proceeded to, and left Fourlah at request of ambassador and is now
  Greece, from which Captain Decker 8 telegram was sent. Secretary Daniels wired for fuller information"
 Awaiting Definite Details. N
 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 promptly adjusted through diplomatic channels. President Wilson is deter mined that under no circumstances shall the United States be involved m war with Turkey. If the Turkish off, cers acted without authority of the Ot- toman government, and the firing was not justified by naval procedure in a closed port, it is confidently believed here the Ottoman government will rem der apology.
 On account of the slow cable com municaticn from Constantinople through the only available route, Btii- garia, Roumania, Austria and Italy no message concerning the incident came from Ambassador Morgenthau. The last despatches received from the ambassador were dated Nov. 14th and were of a routine character
 With the navy's message as the only basis for judgment, President Wilson and administration officials were pug zled. The president telephoned Secre- tary> Daniels several times today and also discussed the situation with Act ing Secretary Lansing. Two sugges- tions were vouchsafed by high off, cials, although they admitted that their views were purely speculative.
 Firing Probably Friendly.
 The firing, they thought probably was a friendly act, giving the GUS tomary warning by a single shot, sig nifying to the Tennessee's launch that the port of Smyrna was mined and closed, or else the boat was turne1 back because it attempted to enter without previous arrangements having been made with the Turkish authori- ties.
 Officials of the government declined to believe that the firing was an un- friendly act. Assurances given by the porte have repeatedly pledged protcc- tion and the closest friendship for American citizens.
 Regardless of whether or not Smyrna is a closed port under the regulations of the United States navy Captain Decker would be justified in seeking to enter the harbor to ascertain the facts with reference to the American con- sulate and it's citizens.