The Washington herald., 1921-01-13
Challenged, Then Fired
Upon, Cable Report to
Navy Shows.
BULLETS COURSE
SEEN IN CLOTHING
Vladivostok Shooting In
quiry Begun by Ad-
miral GleayeS.

A shot in the back coming from
the gun Of a japanese sentry, who
fred after he had challenged and
passed Lieut.. W. H. Langdon, COM
mander Of the U. S. A. caused the
death OF the naval officer at Nladi-
vostok, according to the report re-
ceived from Albert Gleaves here last
night quoting an ante-mortem state
ment of the American officer. The
dispatch adds that both the clothes
worn by Lieut.. Langdon and the ma
ture of the wounds prove his state
ment to have been correct.
Admiral Gleaves in the same re-
ported quoted from the findings of a
japanese officer who said that the
Gentry claimed that Lieut. Langdon
fired a shot from his revolver before
the sentry used his rife.
It was indicated last night that
nothing would be done officially by
this government until after the in
vestigation OF Admiral Gleaves with
the consular officer at Vladivostok,
David B. MacGOwan.
Admiral GIeaves in his report
said:
Quotes Conflicting Reports. l
Japanese officer reports as fol-
lows: Sentry claims his suspicious
were aroused by seeing a foreigner
flashing a hand lamp. that he ran
across the street and called to him
to halt. and that as he came near
the foreigner fired one revolver shot
at him, that he fired his rifle and
then the foreigner fired two more
shots and the sentry fred one more
shot. Sentry claims that he ran
back for the guard but that the for
signer had gone when the sentry
and guard returned.
'Langdon's statement is as fol-
lows: That he was returning to ship
using a hand lamp, and when he
was on the sidewalk opposite to the
Japanese division headquarters, the
sentry ran across the street, taking
the position Of charge bayonet,' to
the left and about six feet in front
Of him; that he halted until the
sentry said 'AmeriCanskT to which
he replied that he was and walked
on past the sentry; that when he
vas about six feet beyond the SEN
try the sentry fred at him. the ball
striking him in the back. at which
he turned and fired two revolver
shots The sentry then permitted
him 10 proceed to the ship.
Clothing shows Bullets Course.
"LanEdOn was in full uniform,
and both the clothes and the wounds
show that he was shot in the back.
the ball passing out at the left side
Of the chest.
All japanese officials are much
concerned and call frequently, offer
ing every assistance in their power
The result Of the investigation will
be reported to you"
The report received by the State
Department, which came from Con-
sular Officer MacGowan, was ex-
ccedinEIy brief. He said in his cable
that tine Japanese consul general at
Vladivostok had called on him and
expressed profound regret. In both
the consuTs dispatch and that from
Admiral Gleaves it was stated that
japanese officials had rendered med
ical aid and promised to make an
immediate and thorough investiga-
ton
Await COnsuPs Report.
1t was said at the State Depart
uent that complete report Of the
mater would be forwarded by Mac
FOwan 4 the earliest moment and
that until all OF the facts had been
received the matter would not be
brought officially to the attention
OF the Japanese government Off
rials also said that until evidence
had been given that Langdon's kill
ing was Unjustified and deliberate,
this government would not be in a
position to make a demand for in
demnity or punishment of the guilty
soldier.
Lieut. Langdon had been in the
naval service since 1910. After
serving FIVE years and six months
as an enlisted man. Langdon was
appointed a machinist on Novem-
Der 80. 1915 He was promoted to
an ensign August, 1917. and to the
rank OF lieutenant. junior grade. a
half-year later. He was advanced
TO a lieutenancy September q, 1918 |
During the world war Langdon
served on the U. S. S Montana. His
home is in Jamaica Plains. Mass.