The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1907-01-21
OUR AID DECLINED
Governor of Jam 1iCa Asks
Davis to Withdraw.
RESENT SWETTfNHAM'S ACTION
American Ships Salute Taken tor
Another Earthquake.
INCIDENT DtPlORtD At KINGSTON

United states wsrships' Mission Of
Mercy TO stricken Island city Has
Come ca an Abrupt End Through
Reasest From British Governor
That An Guards aud working Res
cue Psrsie. NE Withdrawn aud sent
Aboard Their ve.seIs-He Declared
That There wa. No Further Neces-
sity For American Aid, as His Gov
ernment Wa. Funy Able TO Deal
with the situation.
KINGSTON. Jamaica. Jan. 2i.-Rcar
Admiral Davis mission OF mercy 20
stricken Kingston has come 10 nm ali
rupt and painful conclusion In conse-
nuence Of Governor Swettcnham's ob.
lection TO the presence OF American
sailors engaged In the work of clear
ing the streets. guarding property AMI
succoring the wounded and sick. cul.
mlnating In letter TO the admiral
peremptorily requesting him 90 re-em-
bark all parties which had been landed.
Admiral Davis was greatly. shocked
and panied and paid formal visit TO
Governor Swettenham. informing, him
that the United States battieshlps Mis-
souri, and Indiana and the gunboat
Yankton would sail from Kingston at
once.
Admiral Davis when interviewed
here said that immediate compliance
with Governor Swcttenham's request
was the only course consistent with the
dignity 81 the United States
The friction between the governor
and the admiral began with the arrival
81 the American war vessels. when
the governor objected 10 the firing Of n
salute In his honor on the ground That
the citizens might mistake the firing
for q new earthquake. lie also declar.
III there was no necessity for American
aid. that his government was fully
able TO preserve order. tend the wound
~ and succor the homeless.
Rear Admiral Davis. however. landed
parties Of blueJackcts. who pairolle'i
the streets. cleared the debris. razri
ruins. attended many OF the wounded
and won the highest praise from citi-
xcns and military officers for excellent
work.
ON the afternoon Of the salute Incl
dent Hear Admiral Davis wrote Gov
crnor Swettenham NJ follows:
Il beg you 60 accept my apology for
the mistake Of the salute. My order
was misunderstood. and the disregard
~ your wishes was due 10 a mistake
In the transmission Of my order. ]
trust the apparent disregard Of youi
wishes will be overlooked.
II landed working parties frOm both
ships 10 aid In clearing the various
streets and buildings and purpose land
lng parties for the same purpose unless
you expressly notify the that you do
not desire u. think n great deal
may he done In the way 81 assistance
10 private individuals without Interior
Ing with the forces Of yourself aud the
government officials. A. the only ob
Jet of my being here IL 20 render smell
assistance a. can. trust you VIII
Justify me In this matter foe the cause
u common humanity.
Il had n patrol of six men ashore "a
guard and secure the archives of the
United States consulate. together win
a party o. ten for clearing away wreck
age. This party after finishing ~
work at the consulate assisted n work
lng party TO catch. thieves. rccoverinl
from them n safe taken from n Jewel
~ store valued NJ 5000. From this
Judge that the police surveillance Of the
city II inadequate for the protection Of
private property.
"Actuated by the same motive q
namely. common humanity shall III
rect the medical officers Of my squad
ron 20 make all efforts 10 aid cases o
distress which perhaps do not COM
under the observation 81 your medica
officers
II shall have pleasure In meeting yol
At the hour appointed. 10 n. M. at head
quarters house.
Il trust you approve Of my action u
this matter"
Governor swcttcnham responded ~
follows:
Thanks very much for your letter
yout kind call and all the aSslsianc
] given or offered u.s. While mos
heartily appreciate the very gcnerou
offers Of assistance. ! feel u my dut
20 ask you 90 re-embark the workln
party and all parties which your kind
ness prompted you 20 land
III IN consideration Of the America
vice consul's asslduous attentions I
his family nj his country house tll
American consulate need guarding !
your opinion. although he was prcser
aud II was not guarded mn hour ago
have no objection 10 your detailing
force for the sole purpose Of guarding
hut the party must have no ircarm
and nothing more offensive than clul
or slaves for this function.
II ilnd your working party was iii
morning helping Mr. crosswell ciea
his store. croswall was dellghtc