Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-11-19
AWAIT TURKEYS
EXPLANATION Of
SMYRNA AFFAIR
Wilson Determined Not to In
voIve U. S. in Trouble
With Porte.
MoRGENTHAU VERSION
OF INCIDENT EXPECTED
Washington Confident That
Firing on Tennessee Launch
Was Friendly Act.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 19.-Deflnite
details of the adventures of the
cruiser Tennessee in the Gulf of
Smyrna were eagerly awaited today
by administration officials, who re-
mained confident that the affair
promptly would be adjusted through
channels of diplomacy. Ambassador
Morgenthau had been directed to in
quire of the Turkish government why
land forces had fired on the Tennes-
sees launch as 1t steamed from
Vourlah to Symrna, to investigate
conditions at the American consul
ate, and the commanders of the
Tennessee and her sister ship, North
Carolina, in nearby waters had in
structions to make no move that
might embarrass the Washington
government.
President Wilson was determined
that the United States should not be-
come involved in trouble with Tur-
key, and confidence was expressed
that if the Turkish officers had acted
without authority of their govern
ment, or the firing was unjustified
by naval procedure, that the porte
would apologize.
Secretary Daniels summed up his
view of the incident by declaring he
believed detailed reports would show
that the firing was intended as a
friendly warning to prevent the
launch from entering mined waters.
Believes Firing Was Friendly.
ST believe that when Captain
Decker's report is received it will
prove that the firing was friendly,
and not an unfriepdly act" said the
secretary.
.'Reports that the waters OF
Smyrna harbor are mined indicate
that the shots were fired to warn
the vessel against the danger of
mines, which it might have come into
contact with had 1t entered the
harbor."
! Another explanation advanced by
Mr.. Daniels was that the port had
! been officially closed and that the
| al proach OF the vessel caused the
guns of the forts to sound warning
to prevent 1t from trespassing.
The Tennessee today was at Scio
lChios). In the Aegean sea, from
where Captain Decker wired his brief
report. Owing ts slow communities
ton it was believed possible that a
day or two might elapse before he
could cable additional details and Am
bassador Morgenthau report on his
inquiry of the Constantinople govern
ment.
Pledge Pro. tion OF Americans.
Protection and friendship for Amer
ican citizens in Turkey frequently
have been pledged by the Porte. but
since that time the United States has
assumed charge of diplomatic inter
ests of the allies, with whom Turkey
now is at war, resulting in condi-
tions marked by delicate responsible
tiles. Activities by some Mohan-
medan leaders caused apprehension
on the part of Americans, as well as
French and British subjects, and that
was reported by the United States
consul at Smyrna to Ambassador
Morgenthau.
When an investigation of condi-
tions at the consu ate was deter
mined upon the Tennessee stood off
at Vourlah and sent launch on the
way to Smyrna. Under navy regula-
tions. it was said, Captain Decker
would have been justified in attempt
ing to enter the harbor to inquire
into affairs at the consulate, regard
less of whether Smyrna port was
closed or not
Apparently, however he did not
continue on his way to Smyrna, but
belief was expressed that IL the con-
sulate had been in imminent dam
ger the Tennessee would not have left
the vicinity. An outstanding effect
of the incident. it was believed here.
would be to impress upon the Otto
man authorities the anxiety felt for
the safety of Americans in Turkey,
where conditions have been uncertain
for many months.