Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1921-01-13
SHOT IN BACK
WITHOUT CAUoE:
STATES VICTIM
Nipponese Consul at
Vladivostok Express
es Profound Regret.
Toxic Frames Alibi for
Sentry, Crosses With
u. S. Officer.

Washington, Jan. 12.-Inten-
ton of the American govern
ment to make a careful investi-
cation of the fatal shooting by
a japanese sentry yesterday at
VladiFostock of Lieutenant W.
Il. Langdon, chief engineer of
the American cruiser Albany,
was evidenced in action taken
tonight by two departments of
the government.
The state department, upon being
Informed of the bare details Of he
shooting of Lieutenant Langtion in q
report from Consul MacGowan at
lladivostok. directed the consul to
forward more complete report.
The navy department. received tyyo
reports of the shooting from Admiral
Albert Gieaves. commander in chef
Of the Asiatic fleet who said hs
planned To leave at noon Wednesday
ter Shanghai from whence he will
proceed 70 Nladsvostok to investigate.
Dispatches emphasized that Janan-
eSe officials at the Russian port were
snow ng every evidence of regret over
the shooting. Consul MacGowan re-
ported the japanese consul general
had called upon him and expressed his
profound regret Admiral Gleaves
said the japanese offic;s.s were much
concerned and had made frequent calls
offering every assistance within their
power.
MacGo~an's Report
The state department announced it's
receipt OF the report from Consul Mac
HoWan III the following statements
The shooting of Lieut. W, III Lang
don. an engineer officer of the Ameri-
can cruiser Albany at Vladivostok hv
japanese sentry January s was re-
ported to ,he department of stata
" ednes.iaF The telegram. which was
from American Consul Macf1owan.
reported that the Jananass
consul general at Eladivostok hsd
called on him to express his profound
regret.
Admiral Gleaves in his first renore
received at the navy department late
" Wednesday, gave the preliminary da-
tails as to the shooting of Iieutensns
langdon. Fie reported the lieutenant
was returning to his ship and was in
front of japanese division headouor-
ters. near The arch on Peter the Great
square. when shot, his death occurring
a few hours later.
japan's Statement
The admiral in second reporf. rst-
.eived Wednesday night said:
Japanese officer reports as fol-
OwS:
Sentry claims his suspicious were
aroused by seeing a foreigner flash
ng hand lamp. that he ran across
he street and called to him to halt.
md that as he came near, the foreigner
ired one revolver shot as him, that
le fired his rifle and then the foreigner
ired two more shots and sentry fired
NE more shot. Sentry claims that
e ran back for the guard. but that the
oreigner had gone when sentry and
uard returned
Langdon's Version
'11angdons statement is as fnITawss
That he was returning to ship, u.s.
lg a hand lamp. and when he was on
he sidewalk opposite the Japanese d.
ision headquarters the sentry ran
cross the street taking the position
Charge hayenets, to the left and about
tx feet in front of him; that he halt
i until the sentry said: 'Amerikan-
kl, to Whlch ne feniled rhat he was
nd walked on past the sentry; that
hen he was about six feet beyond,
le sentry. fired at him, the ball strik-
X him III the back, at which he turn
4 aud fired two revolver shots. The
entry then permitted him to proceed
, the ship"
"Langdon was in full uniform and
9TH the clothes and the wounds show
lat he was shot in the back, the ball
assing out at the left side of the
rest"
TOXIC REPORT CONFLICTS
Toxic, Jan, 12-While official re-
,rts concerning the shooting of an
ficer Of the American cruiser Al
my at Nladivostok still are lacking,
lofficial accounts, widely at variance
to the circumstances and the exact
me it occurred, continue to be receiv-