Jasper County Democrat, Volume 15, Number 71, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 December 1912 — FEAR FOR FOREIGNERS [ARTICLE]

FEAR FOR FOREIGNERS

ALARMING NEWS REACHES WASHINGTON FROM TURKEY. Admiral Knight, on Cruiser Tennessee, Reaches Smyrna Ready to Act If Trouble Ensues. Washington, Dec. 6.—The first alarming news as to the danger of foreigners in Turkish territory came here privately through official diplomatic channels. The seat of the trouble is Smyrna. Admiral Knight, on his flagship, the armored cruiser Tennessee, has arrived at Smyrna. The Tennessee can put ashore about 450 men and still leave ample protection for the ship. The Intimations of the dispatches are that the fears and unrest of the foreign colony at Smyrna are based on the belief that there will be serious trouble when the defeated Turkish soldiers return in large bodies to Smyrna. It is inferred by those who discussed the danger that the soldiers who have been exasperated by the victories of the Christians will resort to mob violence. ’

The three American ships, the Tennessee and the Montana, which are armored cruisers, and the armed revenue vessel Unalga, were assigned to the post of Asia Minor because of the American missionary interest at Beirut and for the further reason that the ships of the European concert were scarcely more than sufficient to take care of the city of Constantinople and the colleges at Scutari. It is pot stated officially by the navy department that any assistance will be needed by the Tennessee, but if further reports from the consuls indicate that the fears of the people of Smyrna may be realized all the American naVal force in the Mediterranean will be sent to that city.