The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-01-23
AID ASKED; GRANTED
Tents Shipped to Kingston
OH British Request.
NEW COMPLICATION POSSIBLE
Acting Minister at havana Appeals
To American Authorities in Cuba
fOr SupPIies-Attitudf So &c Taken
by GOV. Svettenbam Is Awaited
with Curiosity in washington.

Gov Swettenham, Of Jamaica. viii soon
have on his hands. II he has not already
encountered it, the question Of accepting
relief supplies from the United States
government, and officials here are watch
ing with great interest for developments.
Brig. Gen. Wint. commanding the army
/ of Cuban pacincation, has telegraphod
the War Department that he has, upon
request of the acting British Minister iu
/ Havana, ordered the commanding officer
! Of the American forces at Santiago To
/ ship by the first available steamship
|eighty-fve tents of various kinds. Gen.
/ Wmt requests that his action be ap-
proved by the War Department. IN "a
telegram yesterday Secretary Taft did SO,
and now every one waits to see if Gov.
Swettenham viii accept the offered relief
/ Gen. Wiut has ordered an officer TO ac-
| company the tents and remain in Kings
ton until further orders. The telegram
! from Gen. Nint was sent from Havana
on January %. Il follows:
"On request of the acting British Min
lister Havana to Gov. Magoon l have di-
rected the commanding officer at San
]
naval vessel if one is available If not by
/ liner, five hospital tents and flies. twenty
eight wall tents and flies, and ffty-tw0
conical wall tents complete. Reported by
British authorities urgently required
officer to remain at Kingston after turn
! ing over tents TO British authorities until
further orders Request that my action
be approved by the War Department"
Cannot Ignore Request.
Inasmuch as an unsolicited request
came from the British diplomatic repre-
sentative in Havana for the tents, the
War Department has nothing 20 do but
send them on, despite the possibility that
Gov. Swettenham viii refuse to make use
of the aid offered, II he should refuse,
| the government here would ignore his ac-
tion just as it has done in the case of his
attitude toward Admiral Davis.
The State Department yesterday re-
! ceived a message of thanks from Gov
Swettenham for the aid given by Admiral
Davis. and containing also an expression
OF appreciation for the condolences tele-
graphed him by Secretary Root. when the
! first news of the disaster reached Wash
ington last week. The telegram was sent
:
Gov. SwettenhaIn and Admiral Davis had
the exchange of letters which led 10 the
admirals departure. In view OF the letter
Gov. Swettenham wrote to Admiral Davis
the telegram to Mr.. Root furnishes Il sur
prise. Officials do not understand how
the governor could be so insulting 10 the
American naval representative and ON the
same day express his appreciation Of the
admiraTs service. His message is rs fol-
lows:
Jamaica profoundly grateful to your
excellency for expression Of sympathy
and for the very practical aid so kindly
given by Admiral Davis and the entire
particular service squadron of the United
States navy
DO Not Have 10 Reply.
As the telegram is in answer to one
which was sent b. Secretary Root, the
State Department is relieved of the en-
barrassment of making a reply.
The SwetteBham incident is now geiier-
ally laughed at in official circles. The
change OF sentiment is quite remarkable.
At first. officials. particularly naval Of
fiers, were inclined to be indignant. Yes
terday every one took the affair as quite
a joke, and not TO be considered seriously
Great Britain has made all the amends
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