The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1914-11-23
TURKEY EXPLAINS
FIRING ON U.S.SH|P
Warning Against Mines and
That Port Was Closed
WASHINGTON IS SATISFIED
Guarantees For the Protection OF
American Interests Are Expected to
Follow.

EOIlO"s
Washington, Nov. 23.-Turkey has
voluntarily explained to the United
States government, through Amnas-
sador Morgenthau, that the SHOTS nred
toward the launch of the American
cruiser Tennessee were INTENDED
merely as the customary warning
that the port of Smyrna was mlnea
and closed to navigation.
Although the explanation Is infor-
NAL and the United States Is stlll
awaiting a reply to formal representa-
lions which Ambassador Morgentnau
was instructed to make to the Turk
ish foreign Office, it was generally ad-
mitted at the White House, state ana
navy departments that all danger OF
serious complications over the Incl
dent had been removed.
Ambassador Morgenthau reported
that two members of the Ottoman
cabinet. the ministers of interior and
war, had fully explained the occur
renee to him. and high officials In
Washington said his message was
fle1 before the instructions sent from
Washington to discuss the subject
officially with the grand vizier could
have been received by him.
President Wilson and his cabinet
regard the informal explanation as
certain precursor of a satisfactory
formal explanation and that guaran'
tees for the protection of Americans
and their interests also will be forth
coming from the Turkish government
The message from Ambassador
Morgenthau relieved delicate situa-
ton. After being deciphered it was
discussed at a conference between the
president, Secretary Daniels and Act
ing Secretary Lansing. of the state
department.
After the conference the following
statement was issued at the White
House:
"Dispatches concerning the Smyrna
incident have just been received from
Ambassador Morgenthau, which were
sent before he had received any com.
munication from the state depart
ment He informs the government
that on the evening of the day on
which the incident occurred (on Mon.
day last) the Ottoman minister of the
interior informed him that the COM
mander of the Tennessee had tried
to visit Smyrna in his steam laun Il,
passing through the mine zone, con-
trary to the Turkish governments
regulations, and that the boat had
been stopped by warning shots fired
toward her.
"He added that the governor gen.
eral after the incident had offered to
take the officer overland in his auto
mobile. The minister of war later
communicated with the ambassador.
fully informing him Of the incident
and requesting that the Tennessee,
which was then at Vourle, some dis.
lance from the harbor of Smyrna, be
withdrawn.
"The embassy had some time ago
been officially informed that the pert
of Smyrna was closed alike to war.
ships and merchant vessels. The am.
bassador therefore requested Captain
Decker to withdraw, and he, OF
course, did so, proceeding to the Isl
and of Chios.
lowing to the extreme difficulty OF
communicating with Constantinople
no further advices have yet been re.
ceived. Instructions had already been
sent to the ambassador. We are still
awaiting the ambassadors reply to
those instructions"
The fact that the governor general
Of Smyrna had offered to take Captain
Decker, of the Tennessee, by automo-
bile to the American consulate at
Smyrna, officials in Washington de-
clared, indicated clearly the friendli'
ness of the Turkish officials. The
right of beligerent to mine its ports
and exclude neutral merchantmen, as
we'll as warships, Is recognizen in in
ternational law.