New-York tribune., 1921-01-14
Action Halts i'm
Case of Officer
JapaneseKilled
Report of Admiral Cleaves
on Attitude of Nipponese
Causes Government to Put
Off Pressing Its Inquiry
Toxic Findings Reported
Explanation Made That Stu.
pid Sentry Shot Lieut..
Langdon at Vladivostok
From The Trtbune,s Washinaton aurea,

From The Trtbune's Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON, Jan. 13.-The shoot
ing Of Lieutenant w. H. Langdon, Of
the United States Navy, by Japanese
sentry at Vladivostok will not be made
u diplomatic incident between this gov
ernment and Japan, it was indicated
to-day in official quarters.
Although Secretary Of the Navy
Daniels and Acting Secretary of State
Davis conferred to-day on possible ac-
ton by this government in the case,
the receipt of message from Admiral
Gleaves, commanding the Asiatic Fleet,
containing expressions Of regret from
the Japanese authorities and the as
surance that Americans no longer will
be halted by Japanese soldiers, had the
effect Of removing the necessity for
drastic action by the State Depart-
ment
Admiral Gleaves's dispatch said that
he had been visited by Japanese Off
Gals of high rank, who expressed sor-
row and regret at Langdon's death.
and strict instructions had been sent
by General Oh, in command of Vladi-
vostok troops, that all sentries be
warned against hating any Americans.
Officials of ali governments, including
the Russian Admiralty, Admiral Gleaves
said, had called "to express sympathy.
regret and horror" at Langdon's death
Ihe investigation Of the tragedy has
not been finished, Admiral Gleaves
said, but in view of DEVELOPMENTS he
deemed his presence in Vladivostok
unnecessary and he has abandoned his
plan to go there at this time.
General Sends Wreath
Continuing, Admiral Glcaves's report
said:
"Strict instructions have been issued
oy General Vi that all commands in
form sentries not to halt Americans.
All Japanese officials of high rank have
been aboard. They expressed sorrow
and regret, and state that the sentry
who shot Lieutenant Langdon was very
ignorant General Oh has sent large
wreath.
"ViceAdmiral Kawahara has sent
telegram from Toxic as follows: 4
am deeply shocked at the news of Lieu
tenant Langdon's death by an unlocked
for accident. Please accept my sincere
condolences, although no word of mine
can help. l feel this was most la
mcntable occurrence, and l am deeply
sorry"
State Department officials indicated
to-day that the shooting of Langdon
might be the basis for demand for in
demnity for the officers family. 1t was
said that consideration would be given
the case when all the facts had been
received here, and reference was made
to the possibility that the naval Off
GERS death might very we'll be taken
AS grounds for an expression by this
government against the further occu-
patton of Vladvostok by Japanese
troops. 1t was said that the with
drawal of the American forces from
Siberia carried with it the implied sug-
gestion that the necessity for foreign
occupation there was not justified.
Japanese Version
Following is the version of the shoot
ing as received by the Japanese EN-
bassy:
"The Japanese sentry stationed in
front of the Japanese Staff Headquar-
ters at 1880 o'clock in the morning
saw man approaching who was using
4 fashlight, casting its rays upon the
front Of the staff building. He stopped
the man and demanded to know if he
was Russian or Americansky.' Not un-
derstanding the reply made by Lang
don, the sentry sought to pull back
the hood which was drawn over his
face to inspect him. Thes officer re-
sisted and drew revolver, whercupon
the sentry stepped back couple Of
PAGES and presented his bayonet. The
officer turned to proceed on his way.
The sentry called to him in Japanese to.
stop, and when the order was disre-
garded he fired. Langdon turned upon
the sentry and fired twice at him with
his revolver and then collapsed"