File No. 367.114M69/130.
The American Ambassador to
the Secretary of State.
[Extract]
No. 193.]
American Embassy,
Constantinople,
May 10, 1912.
Sir: In reference to my cablegram of May 1,
announcing the sinking in the port of Smyrna on April 29 of the American
steamship Texas belonging to the Archipelago
American Steamship Company, I now have the honor to transmit herewith
copies of the telegrams received by me from Consul General Plorton and
of those sent him by this Embassy1 bearing on the subject down to the date of writing.
* * *
I inclose also copy of the telegraphic instruction based on your
cablegram of the 8th instant, which I have sent to the Consul General at
Smyrna today.
I have [etc.]
[Inclosure—Telegram.]
The American Ambassador
to the Consul General at Smyrna.
American Embassy.
Constantinople,
May 10, 1912.
Supplementing my telegram of yesterday, if the local authorities
inform you in reply to your inquiry that the captain of the Texas is held for an alleged offense
connected with sinking of vessel, you will, pointing out that
diversity of report exists regarding the cause of sinking of Texas which was an American vessel flying the
American flag, request that, pending determination of this question
which is under investigation by you, the Ottoman authorities
surrender to you for your detention the captain of this American
vessel.
You will at the same time say to the Ottoman authorities that upon
determination of the question now under investigation by you the
Embassy will determine its future action. On receipt of the mailed
report and reply to my telegram of yesterday I will take up the
matter with the Foreign Office.
