Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1914-11-18
AMERICAN launch
FIRED ON BY TURKS
IN SMYRNA HARBOR
Boat Sent From Cruiser Ten
i nessee Draws Fire Of
Turkish Batteries
DETAILS OF INCIDENT
ARE NOT YET KNOWN
Ii Is Thought HarbOr Is Mined
and Shots We're to Keep
Boat Safe

Washington, Nov. 1S.-0fficial con
firmation Of a report that Trkish land
batteries had fired on a steam launch
from the United States cruiser Ten.
nessee, in the Gulf of Smyrna, was re.
ceived today at the navy department
from Captain Decker Secretary Dan.
iels Immediately cabled Captain Decker
for further particulars, but insisted
there was no cause for alarm.
The first report indicated the cruiser
herself had been fired at, but later
message was interpreted as meaning
that the land batteries opened fire on
the cruisers launch as it was en- route
from Vurla to Smyrna,
The cruisers launch carried the
American flag
All the navy department knows is
that n shot was fired The department
will merely "mark time" pending the
receipt Of further advices. Secretary
of the Navy Daniels and Acting Secre.
tary Of State Lansing conferred over
the incident for an hour and the latter
attempted to get into communication
with American Ambassador Morgenthau
at COnstantinOple.
The launch 1t was reported, was on
its way to Smyrna to Investigate re.
ports that Americans interests were
Endangered.
Smyrna Closed Port.
According to information given out
by Secretary Daniels, Captain Decker's
report merely said: "His boat" had
been fired upon. II was generally be-
1,avn1 4h;e ,oaonk Aho ar,,,en, T., Inuoak
Information so far received con-
cerning the incident is very indefinite, "
Daniels said, CAN we know is that o
shot was fired. Whether it was fired
with hostile intent or as a warning to
Captain Decker was NOT explained.
Smyrna is closed port now and is
probably mined. The land forces may
have fired the shot to prevent the
launeh--or even possibly the Tennessee
itself-entering the harbor and running
upon n mine field ! hope this is the
case. In any event, we cannot take
steps until we have the official facts.
President Wilson was uotceably anx.
ious over the Tennessee incident. lie
ordered all reports concerning it to be
sent to him Immediately upon receipt
Government officials expressed con.
fidence, however, the occurrence would
not result in the development of inter
national complications.
A Foolish Rumor.
A report received here via Montreal
that American Ambassador Morgenthau
had demanded his passports was char
acterized rs "absurd" both at the
White House and at the state depart
ment. II was said Morgenthau was
most friendly with the Porte, and that
Turkish officials were constantly prais
ing his work Morgenthau, it was de
clared, could not demand passports OF
his own volton--he could only act IN
such matter after he had been posi-
lively instructed by the president, whC
would not even consider such action
without consulting first with the
senate.
Acting Secretary Of State lansing ex
planned he had not communicated with
Constnntinople for two days, due to IN
terruption Of direct cable communica
ton, and the fact that messages must
pass through territory Of European bel
ligerents. He snid communication tC
and from. Asia Minor requires from
to five days,
lansing was making every effort thil
afternoon to reach George Horton, The
United States consul ut Smyrna. NJ
direct word had been received from hin
for several days
VIII Recall Cruisers.
Ambassador Morgenthau reported
Monday. lie said everything was tran
quil az that time.
IL was reported that the cruiser
Tennessee and North Carolina will bi
recalled Immediately from European
waters in order TO avoid the possibility
Of another Maine disnster. Scretaf,
Daniels, however, would not discuss thi
report. He said he would not discuss
the status OF the cruisers until he hat
received complete reports from Captain
Decker.
awe sent the two cruisers TO Tur
key,u said Daniels, with funds TO re
licve Americans there who were unabl
to get money. Since then they havl
been kept there to assist In the relie
Of Americans In the European war zonl
wherever possible
Report Causes Anxiety
Captain Decker's declaration tha
Horton vas anxious regarding the safe
ty Of the American consulate at Smyr
M was causing much anxiety here thi
aftafnoon. II was intrrnrotcd NJ indi