Washington Expresses Concern.

New York Times 100 years ago today, March 1, 1913:
Special to The New York Times.
    WASHINGTON, Feb. 28.—Naval officials showed concern to-night over the report that shots from an American battleship at target practice to-day off Vera Cruz struck near shore, killing a man and wounding three fishermen. Up to a late hour to-night, the Navy Department had not received a dispatch in regard to the alleged incident.
    The statement that the ships were at target practice implies that Rear Admiral Frank Fletcher, who is in command of the special squadron at Vera Cruz, had taken advantage of the quiet following the overthrow of President Madero to carry out the work which the ships would have been doing if they had remained at Guantanamo, Cuba. Dispatches were received early in the day from Admiral Fletcher, but they made no mention of target practice, or the casualties mentioned in the special cable dispatch to The New York Times.
    When told of the report of the accident to-night, Beekman Winthrop, Assistant Secretary of the Navy, said he was sure the department had no advices in regard to it.
    "It is most awkward that such a thing should occur at this time," Mr. Winthrop commented, "because of the effect on the Mexican people. It is not strange that it should cause great excitement, and it is sure to be regarded as the beginning of intervention by many inland Mexicans, and is likely to cause distorted and sinister reports of the affair.
    "Of course, explanations soon will make clear just what occurred, and will assure the Mexican Government de facto and the Mexican people that what has happened was purely an accident. It also is to be said that a full inquiry in regard to the incident will be instituted promptly.
    "It is a matter of deep regret that such an accident should have occurred at any time, and especially just now, when public feeling here and there is under a strain."
    If the facts prove to be as reported, the officer responsible for the alleged mishap will be required to face a court of inquiry, and, possibly, a court-martial. There have been several such instances in the history of the modern navy. Rear Admiral Thomas O. Selfridge, retired, was tried by court-martial on account of the killing of several Japanese off one of the islands of Japan by a shell fired at target practice by the warship then commanded by him.