The New York herald., 1921-01-13
j. s. SEEKS FULL
DETAILS IN KILLING
OF NAVAL OFFICER
Admiral Gleaves Hurries to
VladivOstok After Filing
First Report.
JAPANESE REGRETFUL
Sentry Who Shot Lieut..
Langdon Reported That
American Fired First.
TWO ACCOUNTS CONFLICT
Dying Man in Statement Said
Man Called Him American
Before Shooting.
TWO ACCOUNTS CONFLICT

WASHINGTON, Jan. l2.-Intention OF
the American Government to make
careful investigation of the fatal shoot-
ing by a Japanese sentry yesterday at
yladiyostok of Lieut. W. II. Langdon.
chief engineer Of the American cruiser
Albany, was shown in action taken
tonight by two departments OF the
Government.
The State Department, upon being
informed of the bare details Of the
shooting Of Lieut.. Langdon In a re-
mort from Consul MacGowan at Vladi-
vostok, directed the Consul to for
ward a more complete report.
The Navy Department received two
reports of the shooting from Admiral
Albert Gleaves. commander in chief OF
the Asiatic fleet, who said that he
planned to leave at noon to-day aboard
the destroyer Elliott for Shanghai. where
he will board the cruiser New Orleans
and proceed to vladivostok to make an
Investigation.
Langdon's Ante-Mortem Statement.
Langdon was shot while walking to
his ship, but after the shooting con-
tinued on his way and died on poard
the Albany. His ante-mortem state
ment. as transmitted BY Admirai
Gleaves, reads:
".That he was returning to ship,
using hand lamp, and when he was
on the sidewalk on the side opposite 10
the Japanese division headquarters the
sentry ran across the street. taking the
position Charge bayonets.' to the leiI
and about six feet In front of him that
he halted until the sentry saidp "Ameri-
kansl<i." to which he replied that he was
and walked on past the sentry; that
when he was about six feet beyond the
sentry, 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 to proceed TO
the ship"
Admiral Gleaves in his first report
gave preliminary details as to the shoot
ing Of Langdon. He reported that the
Lieutenant was returning to his ship and
was in front of Japanese division head
quarters when shot, his death occurring
few hours later.
The Admiral in a second report said
Japanese officer reports as follows:
Sentry claims his suspicious were
aroused by seeing foreigner flashing
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 thf he fred
his rifle and then the foreigner fired two
more shots and sentry fired one more
shot. Sentry claims that he ran back
for the guard, but that the foreigner
had gone when sentry and guard re-
turned
Japanese Officers offer Aid.
"Langdon was in fun uniform and
both the clothes and the wounds show
that he was shot in the back. the ball
passing out at left side of chest
"Au Japanese officials are much con-
ccrned and call frequently. offering
every assistance in their power. Thc
results of the investigation will be re-
ported to you
Dispatches TO both State and Navy
Departments emphasized that Japanese
officials at the Russian port were show
ing every evidence Of regret over the
shooting. Consul MacGowan reported
that the japanese Consul-General had
called upon him and expressed his pro
found regret"
BosToN, Jan. 12.--Lieut ". II. Lang
don. L. 8. N. lived when ashore with
his parents. Mr. and Mrs William 9.
Langdon OF the Jamaica Plain section
Of this city. He had risen from the
ranks to full Lieutenant's commission
and was on duty I'm Siberian waters as
engineer officer of the cruiser Albany.
In recent letter TO his father he wrote
tn. Siberia seems to have gone crazy.
4 man Is safe here only when he has his
hand on his revolver"
DIES IN wESTMINSTER FALL.
LONDON, Jan. IA woman visitor
~ Westminster Cathedral to-day fell
pnc eact frop, tho CamnaniIa fCt I.d