TURKS OPEN FIRE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21855, 18 July 1934, Page 11

TURKS OPEN FIRE

TAKEN FOR SMUGGLERS BRITISH NAVAL OFFICERS ONE KILLED, ONE WOUNDED REGRET FOR TRAGIC ERROR By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received July 17, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON. July 17 The Admiralty reports that a sailing boat belonging to the British cruiser Devonshire, containing three officers of that ship, was heavily fired on by a Turkish official from the mainland opposite the Greek island of Samos, at about 3 p.m. on Saturday. Surgeon-Lieutenant Dentist J. A. [ Bobinsou was hit and lost overboard. His body has 'not been recovered. Lieutenant T. A. K. Maunsell received flesh wounds in one shoulder. ! The Devonshire at present is on a visit to Samos, which adjoins the | Turkish coast. Tho matter was urgently investigated through diplomatic channels. A message from Constantinople states that the official Turkish version of the shooting was that a customs officer saw the three men after bathing return to the sailing boat. The officer signalled to them to halt notice was taken. Even when a warning shot was fired over tho boat it continued, therefore tho officer fired at the occupants thinking they were smugglers. The Turkish Government expressed its deep regret.