The Washington times., 1914-11-22
TURK EXPLANATION
RELIEVES TENSION
Shot at Tennessee's Launch
Intended as Warning of
Mines, Says Porte.

United States officials are breathing
more freely as the result of Turkeys
explanation of the Tennessee inCid.<t.
The United states Government has been
assured by the Ottoman government,
through Ambassador Morg<lthac, that
The firing on the American cruiser S
launch at Smyrna last Monday was a
warning against mines.
The American ambassadors message,
quoting the Ottoman minister Of the in
terror. was given out by the White
House and served to allay the anxiety
and perpleXity caused by the receipt of
Captain Decker'S wireless message that
the firing was mot hostile, but un-
friendly
While the White House still awaits
further word from Ambassador Morgen-
thau, il is generally accepted thst the
preliminary information received last
night will be sufficient to close the
episode.
Ran Risk of Mines.
THE Ottoman minister of the interior
Informed ,Morgenthau," the White
House statement said. that the COM
mander of the Tennessee had attempted
TO visit Smyrna, passing through the
mined zone, contrary TO the Turkish
government regulations. and that the
boat had been stopped by warning shots
tired toward her. He added that the
governor general after the incident had
offered to take the officer overland in
his automobile. The minister of war
later communicated with the ambasSa-
dor. fully informing him Of the incident,
and requesting that the Tennessee.
which was then at Nourla, some dis
lance from the harbor of Smyrna,
should be withdrawn"
The White House statement said the
american embassy had some time ago
been officially informed that the port
If Smyrna was closed alike TO war
ships and merchant vessels.
Ambassador Morgenthau, there fore,
advised Captain Decker to withdraw,
md he, of course, did so, and pro-
ceeded to the Island of Chios.
Owing the extreme difficulty of
communication with ConStantinople
no further adNices have yet been re-
ceived.
Turkish Charge Pleased.
Concerning the explanation of his
government, Abdul Hak Hussein Bey.
charge of the Turkish embassy, said:
I am very glad to hear that
definite news has been received to-
night from Constantinople to the ef
feet that the firing on the launch
Of the United States battleship Ten
nessee was merely a warning. Al
ihough the embassy has been with
nut any information on the subject I ,
always held the opinion from the out
set that the firing was simply q pre-
Cautionary measure. and not the out !
come of any hostile intention.
''The most cordial relations have
always existed between the two gov
srnments and it is the desire of both
the Ottoman government and people
that such relations shall always be /:
maintained
There is some question in the minds
of dirlomatists here as to the right
Of small boat to enter a closed
port, for by its size and equipment
its mission is obviously seen to be
friendly. There is no exact precedent,
however and as the i1cident occurred
within the territorial waters of Tur 4.
fey the sovereign right of the latter
20 make and enforce her own regula-
tions is recognized. Should ii be
necessary for launches to enter Turk
ish ports in the future ii is con-
sidered most probable that previous
arrangem entS viii be made by the :;
american consulate.