New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-11-22
Shots Fired When Launch
Entered Closed HarbOr,
Washington Hears.
CAPTAINS REPORT
BECOMES MYSTERY
Word "Onfriendly" Hith-
erto SuppresSed-Silence
About Americans.

Washington, Nov. 2l-The following
statement was issued at the White
House tonight:
THE first advices from Constant
nople concerning the Smyrna incident
were received this afternoon at 3
o'clock, and by o'clock had been de-
ciphered. They were promptly COM
municated TO the President by the Act
ing Secretary Of State and the Secre-
tary Of the Navy, and the following
summary of their contents was given
out by the President:
"Dispatches concerning the Smyrna
Incident have just been received from
Ambassador Morgonthau, which were
sent before he had received any com
munication from the State Department.
lie informs the government that on the
evening of the day on which the incl
dent occurred on Monday last) the
Ottoman Minister Of the Interior in
formed him that the commander Of the
Tennessee had attempted TO visit
Smyrna in his steam launch, passing
through the mine zone, contrary to the
Turkish governments regulations, and
that the boat had been stopped by
warning shots fired toward her.
"'He added that the Governor Gen
eral after the incident had offered to
take the officer overland in his automo-
bile. The Minister of War later COM
muncated with the ambassador, fully
informing him Of the incident and re-
questing that the TennesG which
was then at Vourla, som distance
from the harbor Of Smyrna, aould be
withdrawn.
No Mention of Consul.
"'The embassy had some time ago
been officially informed that the port
of Smyrna was closed alike TO war
ships and merchant vessels. The am
bassador therefore requested Captain
Decker to withdraw, and he, of course,
did so, proceeding 20 the Island of
Chios.
lowing TO the extreme difficulty of
communicating with Constantinople no
further advlces nave yet been received.
instructions had already been sent to
The am bassadol. We are still awaiting
the ambassadors reply TO those IN
stTuctiOns.
No mention is made Of the safety of
Consul Horton, az whose request the
Tennessee was sent TO SMYRNA.
No mention was made IN Captain
Dccker's report about the offer Of the
Governor General 20 take him overland
IN AN automobile, as the above dispatch
SAYS. The most significant part of the
Presidents statement, IL Is believed
here. is that which says ne Is still
awaiting a reply from the ambassador
10 instructions sent. Whether these
instructions are to ask for an apology
or 10 ascertain whether or not the
fears Of Consul Horton are justified
could not be learned. In case an apol-
ogv has been demanded IL is believed
that =. viii be forthcoming without
delay.
The statement as given out by the
President contains only Turkeys view
Of the incident.
Suppression by the administration Of
Captain Decker's report that the firing
on the launch OF he Tennessee last
Monday morning was mot hostile but
unfriendly," has increased apprehen-
rion here over the safety OF all for
eigners in Turkey, particularly at
Smyrna The report was received three
days ago.
one Cabinet officer admitted that
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