Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-08-28
j. s. WILL DISPATCH
CRUISER TO TURKEY
The North Carolina to Take
Gold for Relief and Assure
Safety of Americans.

Lie oHlteu OtdteS mas INFORMED inc
powers Of Europe Of its Intentions to
send the armored cruiser North Caro-
lima to Turkey to carry gold for the re-
lief Of Americans. according to an an
nouncement by the State Department.
The North Carolina will also guarantee
the personal safety of Americans in
case Turkey becomes involved in the
present European warfare.
Secretary Bryan said Americans had
been advised to leave Turkey, just as
other countries in which war had broken
out or might break out Every facility.
he said, would be afforded them to de-
part.
While the North Carolina goes on
mission Of financial relief. her presence
in Turkish waters is intended to have
salutary effect with respect to the
treatment of Christians and foreigners
generally resident in the Ottoman EN-
pire.
Before taking this step the United
States took precautions to sound the
powers of Europe as to whether they
would object to the sending OF an
American warship to Turkey. In view
Of the extreme tension which prevails
at Constantinople and the probability
that Turkey soon will be drawn into the
European conflict, the American govern
ment desired to make plain that It's pur-
pose in sending the ship In. IN no way
political, but designed only TO AID anu
protect Americans.
Accuses the Germans.
France took occasion in her reply to
the American governments inquiry to ex-
press approval of the purpose Of the
United States to take the initiative In
sending ship to Turkish waters for the
protection of Christians, remarking that
the sending of French warships at this
time might be misinterpreted.
The French government In its commu-
nication incidentally accused Germany OF
trying to stir up anti-Christian sentiment
in Turkey BY provoking the Mussulmans
against the English and French.
Diplomats and officials generally are
expecting declaration of war by Turkey
on the allies. Reliable advices are to the
effect that just as soon as the big Rus
sian army has penetrated a considerable
distance into east Prussia Turkey Will
strike. That both Bulgaria and Rou-
mania will align themselves with Turkey
against Greece and the rest Of the Bal
kan states is also indicated by the au-
thentic information reaching here.
European diplomats admit that the sit
uation is daily approaching a. crisis ana
that a declaration of war is imminent
Great Britain, France and Russia are re-
framing nevertheless from making any
move that would force Turkey to take
action Their combined influence IL be-
ing exterted to persuade the Ottoman
empire to continue neutral.
Turkey Soon to Strike.
Announcement by the German embassy
here, however. that Lman Pasha, loaned
by Germany to train the Turkish forces,
had been put in command of the Otto
man army confirmed in the minds of dip
lomatic representatives of the allies here
the belief that Turkey soon would open
ly place herself on the side of Germany
and Austria in the mammoth struggle.
The following statement was issued at
the Navy Department explaining the
North Cardinals mission:
TT was decided by the relief board,
composed of Secretaries Bryan, McAdoo,
Garrison and Daniels. to send large
sum of gold to Turkey in order to re-
lieve the Americans there.
This action was taken at the urgent
request of Ambassador Morganthau, who
cabled the State Department today that
the need of money for Americans was ur-
gent and that arrangements should be
made Immediately to provide them with
funds.
Fortunately there is a considerable
amount of gold on board the cruiser
North Carolina now at Falmouth, which
is available for this purpose, and the Sec
rotary of the Navy has accordingly is-
sued instructions to the North Carolina
to proceed at once to Constantinople,
where Assistant Secretary Of War Brock
inridge and the Treasury's agents will
distribute the money in cooperation with
the American ambassador.
in addition to the funds needed by
stranded Americans in Turkey. there are
several large mission schools and educa-
tional institutions maintained by Amer
leans in Turkey and the various Ameri-
can mission boards having them under
Jurisdiction will also forward money by
| the North Carolina for their relief"