The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-11-21
PRESIDENT Wilson Docs not Expect Ill
cidcnt to Involve THIS Country i'm
War with Tur!cy-Dcvolvcs on Capt
Decker of Tennessee to Act With
Discretion.

which might embarrass the American
government and to await specific in
structions from Washington.
These steps followed the receipt of
message from Capt. Benton c. Deck
er, commander Of the Tennessee, para
phrased in this statement from the
navy department.:
Capt. B. G. Decker in command OF
the Tennessee wired Secretary Daniels
this morning that while proceeding
from Vourlah to Smyrna to make Of
ficial calls the boat was fired at. Tie
consul was anxious for the safety of
the consulate and the Tennessee pro-
ceeded to and left Vourlah at the re-
quest of Ambassador MOrgcnthau and
is now at anchor in the harbOr OF
Scio (Chios), Greece, from which
Secretary Daniels wired for fuller in
formation"
Although without definite detail as
to just what occurred, officials Of the
Washington government had no doubt
that the incident, no matter where the
responsibility lay, would be adjusted
promptly through diplomatic chan
nels. President Wilson believes that
under no circumstances will the United
states be involved in war with Tur-
Key.
=. On account Of the slow cable COM
Isssaatt;atinn -fgom Gpnstantinople no
message concerning the incident came
from Ambassador Morgenthau. With
the navy's message as the only basis
for judgment, President Wilson and
adm inistration officials were puzzled
over what had occurred. The presi-
dent telephoned Secretary Daniels
several times during the day and also
discussed the situation with Acting
Secretary Lansing. Two suggestions
were vOuchsafcd by high officials, al
though they admitted their views
were purely speculative. The firing.
they thought, probably was a friend
ly act, giving the customary warning
ny single shot, signifying to the
Tennessce's launch that the port of
Smyrna was mined and closed, or else
the boat was turned back because it
attempted to enter without previous
arrangement with the Turkish author
tiles.
Officials declined to believe the fir
ing was an unfriendly or hostile act
Assurances given by the porte have
repeatedly pledged protection and the
closest friendship for American Citi-
zens. However, when the American
warships first went to the Neliter-
ranean Turkey was at peace. Since
then the United States has taken over
the diplomatic interests of Great Brit
tain and France with whom the porte
is at war, a circumstance fraught with
delicate responsibility.
Efforts on the part Of some Mo-
hammedian leaders in Turkey to start
4 'hOly war" have made Americans,
as we'll as British and French subjects,
apprehensive. The American consul at
Smyrna has referred the matter to
Ambassador Morgenthau. Twice the
Ottoman government has warned the
United states that the port of Smyrna
was mined and the TenncssceFft It is
understood, had stood off at VOurlah.
ten miles away, while her launch
started for the shore to investigate
conditions at the consulate.
Regardless Of whether or not
Smyrna is Il closed port under the
regulations of the United States navy
Capt. Decker would be justified in
seeking to enter the harbor to ascer-
tain the facts with reference to the
American consulate and its citizens.
The regulations virtually compel the
American captain to communicate
with the consulate had he learned
that the consulate WAS threatened.
That Capt. Decker did not turtle.
attempt to enter the harhor is indi-
Gated by his statement that he bad
withdrawn to Nourlah.
Orders to the commanders Of the
Tennessee and North Carolina to re
lrain from taking steps which might
cmbarrass the Washington govern
mcnt until specific instructions could
be given followed careful coneidcra-
ton here of the wide latitude which
Both the president and Secretary