The Sentinel=record. (Hot Springs, Ark.) 1900-current, 1914-11-22
WAS NOT A HOSTILE ACT
Governor General Later Offered to
Take Captain Decker of Tennessee
TO Smyrna in an Automobile-Ex
plantation is Offered Voluntarily.

Washington, D. G., Nov. 21.-Tur.
key has voluntarily explained to
the United States government
through Ambassador Morgenthau that
the shots fired toward the launch OF
the American cruiser Tennessee last
Monday were intended merely as the
customary warning that the port Of
Smyrna was mined and closed to navi-
cation
Although the explanation is infor-
NAL and the United States govern
ment still is awaiting a reply to for-
NAL representations which Ambassa
dor Morgenthau was instructed to
make to the Turkish foreign office. it
was generally admitted at the white
house, state and navy departments
that all danger OF serious complica-
tons over the incident had been re-
moved. Ambassador Morgenthau re
Uorted that two members of the OF
toman cabinet. the ministers OF in
terror and war had fully explained
THE occurrence to him ald high Off
cials here said his message was filed
before the instructions sent from
Washington to discuss the subject Of
ficially with the grand vizier could
have been received.
President Wilson and his cabinet
regard the informal explanation as
certain precursor of satisfactory for
NAL explanation, and that Guarantees
for the protection of Americans and
their interests will also be forthcom-
inc from the Turkish government.
The message from Mr. Morgenthau,
dated November rs, but delayed en-
route, relieved a delicate situation. 1t
arrived late in the Afternoon. and
after being dcciphcrcd, was discussed
at a conference tonight between the
president, Secretary Daniels and Act-
ilg Secretary Lansing of the state de
partment
The fact that the governor genera
OF Smyrna had offered to take Cap
tain Decker of the Tennessee by au-
tcmobie to the American consulate,
officials here declared Indicated
clearly the friendiness of the Turk
ish officials. The right of bellger-
cnt to mine its ports and exclude
neutral merchantmen as we'll as war
ships is recognized in international
law, and the only ground on which
the subject probably will be further
discussed will be to elicit from the
Ottoman government some definite
guarantees respecting the safety OF
Americans and their interests so It
will not be necessary for American
warships to visit Turkish ports.
Secretary Daniels announced today
that his order to the commanders of
the Tennessee and North Carolina.
susDending the navy regulations that
ordinarily give them wide discretion
would be in effect only until the pres,
ent incident was explained. Tomor.
row he will rescnd that order and
give the captains of the two Ameri-
can warships the same latitude they
had previously enjoyed. The vessels
may not remain in Turkish territorial
waters but will stay within a brief
half days sail in some islands now
belonging to Greece.
The following summary of dis
Gatch received late today from Am
bassador Morgenthau at CONSTANT
ncple was given out at the white
house tonight:
dispatches concerning the SMYRNA
incident have just been received from
Ambassador Morgenthau, which we're
sent before he had received any COM
mhnication from the state-depart-
ment He informs the government
that Oh the evening OF the day on
which the incident occurred 6NTonday
lasD the Ottoman minister of the in
terror Informed him that the com
mander OF the Tennessee had attempt
n to visit Smyrna in his steam
launch. passing through the mine
zcne. contrary to the Turkish govern
ment's regulations, and that the boat
he'd been stopped by warning shots
fired toward her
Gle added that the governor gen
efal. after the incident had offered to
take the officer overland in his auto.