Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1914-11-22
Unofficial Explanations Exon
crate Turkey of Any Hostile
Intent in Incident in Harbor
of Smyrna,
SHOTS WERE WARNING
OF CLOSING OF PORT
Ambassador Morgenthau Con-
veyS Voluntary Assurances
of Turkish Government Of
Friendly Feeling,

"
tss sosH,re lousssl srrc,sL lsssso w,rsit
Washington. Nov. 2l.--Turkcy has
voluntarily explained TO the United
States government through Ambassa-
dor Morgenthau that the shots fired
toward the launch OF the American
cruiser Tennessee last Monday ware
intended merely as the customary
warning that the port of Smyrna was
mined and closed 20 navigation.
Although the explanation was IN
formal and the United States govern
ment atll Is awaiting reply TO for.
NAL representations which AmbaESu-
dor Morgenthau was instructed to
make TO the Turkish foreign office, Il
was generally admitted az the White
House. state and navy departments
that all danger of serious compllca-
tons over the incident had beon re-
moved.
Quick Explanations.
Ambassador Morgenthau reported
/ that two members Of the Ottoman
cabinet the ministers of interior aud
war. had fully explained the occur
renee TO him and high officials here
said his message was filed before the
Instructions sent from Washington to
discuss the subject officially with the
grand vlzier could have been received
by Mr. Morgenthau President Will
son and his cabinet regard the infor-
mai explanation az a certain prccur-
sor of a satisfactory formal explains
tion and that guarantees for the pro-
lection OF Americans and their inter-
csts will also be forthcoming from
the Turkish government.
The message from Mr.. Morgenthall.
dated November f6. but delayed en-
route. relieved q delicate situation II
arrived late In the afternoon and after
hang dcclphefed was discussed at q
conferences tonight between the presi-
dent. SECRETARY Daniels and ActlnE
Secretary Lansing OF the state de-
partment.
After the conference the following
statement was issued at the White
House:
statement Issued.
dispatches concerning the smyrna
/ incident have Just been received from
Ambassador MorEepthau. which were
sent before he had received any COM
munIcation from the state depart
ment. lie informs the government
that on the evening OF the day on
which the Incident occurred Ton Mon
day iast), the Ottoman minister OF the
I
mander Of the Tennessee had at
tempted TO visit Smyrna In his steam
launch, passing through tho mino
zone, contrary 20 the Turkish govern
ments regulations and that tho boat
had boon stopped by warning shots
fired towards her
Tie added that the governor gem
cral after the incident had Offered 10
| take the officer overland In his au-
| tomobile. The minister Of war later
communicated with the ambassador.
4 fully informing him of the incident
and requested that the Tennessee.
which was then at Vourlah. some dis
tance from the harbor OF Smyrna.
| should be withdrawn.
Port Critically Closed.
"The embassy had sometime ago
been officially Informed that the port
of smyrna was closed alike to war
/ ships end merchant vesfels. The am
/ bassador therefore requested Captain
! Decker 10 Withdraw and he, of course
did SO, proceeding to the island OF
| Chols.
owing to the extreme difficulty OF
communicating with Constantlnople.
no further advlces have yet bec:. re-
celved. Instructions had already been
sent TO the ambassador We are
Sllll awaiting the dHiDdShduVi ltpiy
to those Instructions"
The fact that the governor general
OF Smyrna had offered TO take Cap
tain Decker Of the Tennessee by auto
mobile 10 American consulate at
smyrna officials here declared, ind-
Gated clearly the friendliness of tlfu
Turkish officials.A The right OF a bell
liRcrcnt to mine It's ports and 10 ex-
elude neutral merchantmen as we'll
as warships Is recognized In interna-
tional law and the only ground on
which the subject probably will be
further discussed will be TO elicit from
the Ottoman government some defi-
mite gurantees respecting the safety
OF Americans aud their Interests so
that 1t will not he necessary for Amer
lean warships TO visit Turkish ports.
May Quit Turkish Waters.
Secretary Daniels announced today
that his order to the commanders os
the Tennessee and North Carolina.
suspendlng the navy regulations which
ordinarily give them wide discretion,
would be In effect only until the pres
ont incident was explained. Tomog-
row he will rcscind that order and
give the captains OF the two Ameri-
can warships the same latitude they
had previously enjoyed. The vessels
may not remain ii Turkish territorial
waters but Will stay within u half
days sail IN some OF the islands now
belonging to Greece,
Uiniomat Il Pleased.
Hessein Bey, charge of the Turkish
embassy here. issued statement ex-
pressing qualification over the govern
ment's adviees from Mr. Morgenthau.
THE most cordial relations have al
ways existed between tho two govern
ments. he said. and il is the desire
of both the Ottoman government and
the people that such relations should
always be maintained.
Il should like to take this oppor-
tunity TO repudiate certain statements
which already have appeared In the