Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-11-22
TURKEY EXPLAINS
SMYRNA INCIDENT:
AC7SVOLUNTAR|LY
Washington Admits That
Danger of Serious Com
plications Disappears.
WARNING SHOTS FIRED
TOWARD SHIPS LAUNCH
Merely Customary Notice That
Port Is Mined and Closed
to Navigation.
MESSAGE FROM MORGENTHAU U
Relieved to Be Precursor of Salts.
factory Formal Ex-
pIanntion.
WARNING SHOTS FIRED
TOWARD SHIPS LAUNCH
MESSAGE FROM MoRGENTHAr
Relieved to Be Precursor of Salts.
factory Formal Ex-
pIanntion.

WASHINGTON. November 2l.-Tur-
key has explained voluntarily to the
United States government, through
Ambassador Morgenthau. that shots
fired toward the American cruiser Ten
nessce's launch last Monday were In
tended merely as the customary warn
ing that the port of Smyrna was mined
and closed to navigation.
Although the explanation is infor-
nal. II was admitted at the White
House and the State and Navy De-
partments that all danger OF serious
complications had disappeared.
Ambassador Morgenthau reported
that two members of the Ottoman
Cabinet had fully explained the oc-
currence. and high officials here said
his message was He'd before instruc-
tons sent to him from Washington
to discuss the subject officially with
the Grand Nizier could have hecp re-
ceived. President Wilson and his Cab
met regard the informal explanation
AS certain precursor of Il satisfuc-
tory formal explanation and guaran-
tees by the Turkish government for
the protection of Americans and their
interests.
Tho message from Mr. Morgen,hau,
dated November To- and delnyed en-
route, relieved I delicate situation. 1t
arrived late In the day. and was dis
cuseed at conference tonight be-
tween the President. Secretary Dan
lels. and acting Secretary Lansing OF
the state Department.
STATEMENT ISSUED
At WHITE: HOUSE
After the conference the following
statement was Issued at the White
House:
''pispatches concerning the Smyrnn
incident have just been received from
Ambassador Morgenthau. which were
sent before lie had received any com
rnunication from the State Depart
ment. He Informs the government
that on the evening Of the day on
which the Incident occurred con Mon
day last. the Ottoman Minister Of the
Interior informed him that the com
mandcr OF the Tennessee had at
tempted 10 visit Smyrna in his steam
launch. passing through the mine zone.
contrary to the Turkish governments
regulations. and that the boat hnd been
stopped by warning shots fired towards
her.
lie added that the Governor General.
after the incident. had offered to take
tho officer overland in his AUTOMOBILES
Tho Minister OF War later communi-
Gated with the amba ssador. fully in
forming him Of the Incident. and re-
duesting that the Tennessee. which
then was nj Nourla. some distance from
the harbor of Smyrna. should be with
drawn.
The embassy some time ago had
been officially informed that the port
OF Smyrna was closed alike to warships
and merchant vessels. The ambassa-
dor, therefore. requested Captain
Decker to withdraw. and ne, of course,
did SO. proceeding to tho Island Of
Chios.
Owing to the extreme difficulty of
communicating with Constantinople, no
further advices hnvo yet been received
Instructions already had been sent to
a. OF OF
ing the amba ssador's rcpl, TO those in
structlons."
FRIENDLINEss OF OFFICIALS
IS CLEARLY INDICATED
The fact that the Governor General
OF Smyrna had offered to take CAPTAIN
Decker, OF the Tennessee, by auto
mobile TO the American consulate at
Sinyrna- officials declare. Indicated
clearly the frien0lincss OF the Turkish
officials.
Secretary Daniels announced to-day
that his orders to the commanders OF
the Tennessee and North Carolina. sus-
pending navy regulations which give
them wide discretion. would be re.
scinded Tomorrow. The captains will
be given the same latitude they pre-
viously had enjoyed. The vessels may
not remain In Turkeys territorial
waters, but Will stay within half
days sail In some OF the Islands now
belonging to Greece.
There is some question in the minds
Of diplomats here as To the right OF
small boat to enter closed port.
I3y its size and equipment it's mission
ia obviously friendly. There is no
exact precedent, however, and as the
incident occurred within the terri
torinl waters of Turkey, the sovereign
right of the latter to make and enforce
her own regulations Is recognized
Should 1t he necessary for launches to
enter Turkish ports In the future, il
Is considered probable that previous
arrangements will be nadc. Officials
arc ut loss to understand why such
an arrangement was not made in the
cast of the Tcnnessecs launch.
SMYRNA PRESENTS
ALMOST SPECIAL CASE
That Smyrna presents almost n spc-
cial case as apart from the entire
situation in Turkey, Is the belief of
officials familiar with the trend OF
previous dispatches. The American
colony of fifty has been reported as
panicky ever since last May. Before
Turkey entered tho war tho American
consul often was anxious for the safety
OF his conaulate and Americans. AM
bassador Morgenthau once asked for
warships. Since then conditions were
reported as Improved
While the Washington government
CONTINUED on' Ninth Page.) = Z