Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-06-20
TURKISH ATTACK
MAY FORCE WAR
Looting Of American Hospital in
Tabiz Reported to State
Department.
DOCTORS AND NURSES GONE
This Leads to Belief That None
Were Injured in in Clash
of Arms.
DOCTORS AND NURSES GONE


WASHINGTON. June i..-.httack h*
Turkish troops OF tho American con-
sulate at Tabriz. Persia. and the loot
ing of American missionary hospital
in that city, reported to the state De-
rartment to-day was believed in some
quarters here TO prcsase the long an
ticipatcd declaration OF the existence
o: a state of war between the United
states and the Ottoman Empire.
Diplomatic relations between tho two
governments have been suspended
since April 90. 1917. when Turkey With
drew Abdul Haii I!usscin Bey who had
been acting as charge OF tho Turkish
embassy here since the compulsory
retirement OF the regular anba ssa dor,
which followed his open criticism Of
the United States government. Ncccs-
sarily American Ambassador Morgen-
thau was Obliged 10 leave Constanti-
nop!e. and since thtt time the relations
between the two governments have
been just short OF actual formal en-
nifty.
Recently there nave been vigorous
demands in Congress for a declaration
of state OF war between the United
States and Turkey and Bulgaria. but
President Wilson and the state De-
as necessary desirable. since there
American and Turkish and Bulgarian
troops. On the face of the reports
from American Minister Caldwell at
Tcheran. officials were inclined to be-
!ieve that the sick:!g of the American
hospital Presbyterian institution,
over the protest OF the Spanish consul
III charge representative OF Amer
lean interests, furnished the necessary
i'rovocat!on for open h.stilitics between
america and Turk ~. The advices.
however. were meaEer and the min
lister explained that he was only trans
rnittinG reports Of matters not of his
own knowledge. In view of this, II
was realized that later reports might
show that the offense' were not as
grave as now reported.
AMERICAN DOCTORS AND
NURSES LEFT MONTHS AGO
American doctors and nurses who
tave been stationed in the hospital
were believed to have left Tabriz be-
fore the Turkish troops arrived.
Gordon Paddock. the American n con-
sui in that city. reported TO the de-
patment last May 20 that he and all
OF the Ameirrcans and the British
were prepared TO leave the city before
the advancing Turkish army; consc-
oucnily il was not believed that Amer
leans actually were molcsted.
Some officials pointed out to-day that,
since the attacks on the consulate and
hospital occurred in Persia, the United
states first must hold the Persian gov
ernment to account. as il is RESPONSE
bile for the safety of foreigners and
their properties within it's borders
However. because OF the peculiar and
uncertain relations between Turkey
and Persia. the assertion of the former
Of the right OF sovereignty over Persia
and the wcll-rccogn!ed inability OF the
latter TO resist the Turkish troops
there is little doubt here that the
Washington government will hold that
the responsibility for the outraEcs has
passed TO Turkey, and that if the first
reports are subStantiated the existence
OF state OF war between Turkey and
the United states must be declared