The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1914-11-19
ASK EXPLANATION
Of SHOT FIRED
AT U.S.LAUNCh
Instructions Given to ambassador
at COnstaniinOple
OUR CRUISERS ARE CAUTIONED
Commanders Of Our Ships in Mediter.
rsnean Told to Use
Discretion

Washington, Nov. i9-The United
States government has directed En-
bassador Morgenthau at CONSTANT
nople to ask the Ottoman government
for an explanation for the firing of
the Turkish land force on launch
from the American cruiser Tennessee
which was proceeding from Vourlah
to the American consulate at Smyrna
Asia Minor. Secretary Daniels, with
the approval of President Wilson,
simultaneously cabled the command
ers of the Tennessee and North Car
DINA. also in the Mediterranean, to
take no action which might embar
rass the American government and
to await specific instructions from
Washington concerning the general
situation.
These steps followed the receipt of
a message from Capt. Benton c.
Decker, commander of the Tennessee,
which was paraphrased in this state
ment from the navy department.
Capt b. c. Decker in command OF
the Tennessee wired Secretary Dan
iels this morning that while proceed
ing from Vourlah to Smyrna to make
official calls, boat was fired on. Con-
sui anxious for safety of consulate.
Tennessee proceeded to and left Your
lah at request of ambassador. and is
now anchored in the harbor to Scio
(Chios). Greece, from which Capt.
Decker's telegram was sent. Secre,
arg Daniels wired for fuller informal
ion"
Although without definate details
as to Just what occurred, high officials
of the Washington government had
no doubt that the incident, no matte
where the responsibility lay, would
be properly adjusted through diplo-
matte channels. President Wilson is
determined that under no circumstan.
ces shall the United States be involv-
ed in the war with Turkey If the
Turkish officers act without authority
of the Ottoman government and the
firing was not justified by naval pro
cedure in a closed port. it is confident
ly believed in Washington the Otto
man government viii render apology.
Ohicials of the government declin-
ed to believe that the firing was an
unfriendly act. Assurances given by
the porte have repeatedly pledged
protection and the closest friendship
for American citizens. However.
when the American warships FIRST
went to Turkey to protect American
interests and deliver gold for the re.
lief OF missionaries, Turkey was at
peace. Since then the United States
has taken over the diplomatic inter.
ests of Great Britain and France, with
whom the porte is at war-a circum-
stance which is fraught with delicate
responsibilities
Efforts on the part OF some of the
Mohammedan leaders in Turkey to
start a holy war" have made Ameri-
cans as well as British and French
subjects apprehensive. The Ameri-
can consul Smyrna reported his
fears to ambassador Morgenthau.
under whose instructions the two
warships have been moving about in
Turkish waters for the salutary ef.
feet their presence might have on loo.
al Turkish officials. Twice the Otto
man government has given the Unit
ed States warning that the port of
Smyrna was mined and for this reas.
on the Tennessee. it is understood.
stood off at Nourlah. 10 miles ava,
while her launch started for the shore
TO investigate conditions at the con-
sulate.