File No. 367.114M69/117.
The American Ambassador to the Secretary of State.
Pera, May 1, 1912.
The American Consul General at Smyrna, Horton, telegraphs that the steamer Texas of the Archipelago-American Steamship Company was sunk while leaving harbor about 6 p.m. on April 29. Several killed, many wounded; that according to evidence of survivors it would appear that the steamer was sunk by shore batteries. He suggests the presence of a competent naval officer. I will make recommendation when more fully advised. The captain of the Texas is presumably a Greek subject; Turkish authorities may proceed against him for criminal negligence and the loss of life of Ottoman subjects. In this connection I beg leave to call attention to the Embassy’s despatch 342 of April 21, 1911,1 in conformity with the conclusions of which we could not claim that such Greek subjects be tried in our consular court. Does the Department approve? See also my 109.1