The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-01-21
Sarcastic Letter Asks Rear Ad- miraI Davis to Leave Kingston NAVY MIGHT CLEAN STORES Mission of Humanity Brought to Pain ful Conclusion and United States
 Battleships and Gun Boat
 Sail Away.

Kingston, Jamaica, Saturday, January 1s.-Rear Admiral Davis mission of mercy to stricken Kingston came to an abrupt and painful conclusion today in consequence of Governor Swettenham's objection to the presence of American sailors engaged in the work of clearing the streets guarding property and sue coring the injured and sick, eliminating in a letter to the admiral peremptorily requesting him to re-embark all parties which had been landed.
 Admiral Davis was greatly shocked and pained, and paid formal visit to Gov ernor Swettenham today informing him that the United States battleships Mis- souri and Indiana, and the gunboat Yankton would sail this afternoon.
 To the Associated Press Admiral Davis said that immediate compliance with Governor Swettenham's command was the only course consistent with the dig nity of the United States
 The friction between the governor and the admiral began with the arrival of the American war vessels, when the gov ernor objected to the firing of a salute in his honor on the ground that the citi- zens might mistake the firing for new earthquake He also declared there was no necessity for American aid-that his government was fully able to preserve order tend the wounded, and succor the homeless
 Rear Admiral Davis landed parties of bluejackets who patrolled the streets, cleared the debris, razed ruins, attended many of the injured, and won the highest praise from citizens and military officers for excellent work.
 On the afternoon of the salute incident, Rear Admiral Davis wrote Governor Swettenham as follows:
 Rear Admiral's Letter.
 My Dear Governor-I beg you to ac- cept my apology for the mistake of the of my order. I hope the apparent dis derstood and disregard of your wishes was due to mistake in the transmission o fmy order. I hope the apparent. dis regafdof ydnF~wIshes ysiff be 0verlooked. T landed working parties from both ships today to aid in clearing the various streets and buildings, and propose land ing parties tomorrow for the same pur- pose, unless you expressly do not desire it. I think great deal may be done in the way or dSSlSldnCo bO pTINdle lnulNii- uals without interfering with the forces of yourself and the government officials. As the only object of my being here is to render such assistance as I can, I trust you will justify me in this matter for the cause of common humanity
 "I had patrol of six men ashore today to guard and secure the archives of the United States consulate, together with party of ten clearing away the wreck age This party after finishing It's wora at the consulate, assisted working par ties to catch thieves. recovering from them a safe taken from a jewelry store. valued at $5000. From this judge that the police surveillance of the city is in- adequate for the protection of private property.
 ''Actuated by the same motive, namely, common humanity, shall direct the med ical officers of my squadron to aid the distress which perhaps will not come un- der the supervision of your medical of ficers.
 q shall have pleasure in meeting you at the hour appointed, 10 a. m, at head quarters house.
 q trust you approve of my action in this matter. Your obedient servant,
 "C. H. DAVIS.
 Rear Admiral"