Middletown transcript., 1914-11-28
TURKS EXPLAIN
tension ENDS.
ShOtTOWaFds tennessee Launch
tONOtify CFaftOf Danger.
SMYRNA HARBOR MINED
Word Game At Critical Time oflsV
To Take American Commander
70 Consulate In Turkish
Automobile.

7
washington, D. C.-Turkey has vol
unfairly explained to the United States
Government. through Ambassador
Morgenthau, that the shots fred to
ward the launch Of the American
cruiser Tennessee were intended
merely as the customary warning that
the port Of Smyrna was mined and
closed to navigation.
Although the explanation is In
formal and the United States Govern.
ment still is awaiting reply to formal
representations which Ambassador
Morgenthau was instructed to make to
j the Turkish Foreign ONCE, It was
generally admitted at the White
House. State and Navy Departments
that all danger of serious complication
over the incident had been removed.
Ambassador Morgenthau reported
that two members Of the Ottoman
Cabinet, the Ministers Of Interior and
War, had fully explained the occur
renee to him and high oficials here
said his message was filed before the
instructions sent from Washington to
discuss the subject officially with the
Grand vizier could have been received
by Mr.. Morgenthau. President Wilson
and his Cabinet regard the informal
explanation as certain percurser Of
a satisfactory formal explanation and
that guarantees for the protection Of
Americans and their interests viii also
be forthcoming from the Turkish Gov
ernment.
The message from Mr.. Morgenthau,
dated November 16, but delayed en-
route, relieved a delicate situation. II
arrived late in the afternoon, and aftel
being deciphered was discussed at
conference between the President, Sec.
retary Daniels and Acting Secretary
Lansing Of the State Department.
After the conference the following
statement was issued at the White
House:
The following summary Of . dis.
patch received from Ambassador Nor.
genthau. at Constantinpole, was given
out at the White House:
Dispatches concerning the SmyrnS
incident have Just been received from
Ambassador Morgenthap, which were
sent before he had received any com,
munication from the State Department
He informs the Government that on
the evening of the day on which the
incident occurred the Ottoman Minis.
ter Of the Interior informed 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 auto
mobile. The Minister Of War later
communicated with the Ambassador.
fully informing him Of the incident
and requesting that the Tennessee.
which was then at Yourla, some dis.
tanee from the harbor of Smyrna,
should be withdrawn.
1.-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.
therefore requested Captain
Decker to withdraw, and he, Of course,
did so, proceeding to the Isle Of Chios.
Owing to the extreme difficulty OF
communicating with Constantinopls
no further advices have yet been re-
ceived. Instructions had already been
sent to the Ambassador. We are still
awaiting the Ambassadors reply to
those instructions"
The fact that the Governor-GeneraI
of Smyrna had offered to take Captain
Decker Of the Tennessee by automo-
bile to the American consulate at
Smyrna, officials here declared, indi.
Gated clearly the friendliness of the
Turkish officials. The right Of
Dellfgerent to mine its ports and ex.
,lude neutral merchantmen, as well az
is recognized in interna.
.ional law. and the only ground on
which the subject probably will be fur.
her discussed win be to elicit from
he Ottoman Government some
iennite guarantees respecting the
lafety Of Americans and their inter.
.sts so that it will not be necessary for
American wsrships to visit Turkish
,orts.