New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-01-22
THE GOVERNOR SILENT.
General DisappoUd of action Er
pressed an ENGLAND.


London, Jan. 21.-The Colonial OfHca &c stiu
without a reply from Sir Alexander swettenbar,
the Governor OF Jamaica. to its Telegram, osl,i,.
an explanation of the situation which led IN the
"iulurawal of Rear Admiral Davis's warships
rom Kingston on Saturday. This silence al
'iOush irritating to the government is con-
Ueu as good sign that this much regretted
analr Is capable of amicable adjustment and
WIZ nor lead to any disturbance of the friendly
reiauons between the United States and Great
Britain
Is supposed that if Governor Swettenham
tau any reasonable justification for his extraor-
uihaTy letter to Rear Admiral Davis he would
"ol oeiay In placing his government in possession
u 'ne Iacts therefore his silence is regarded as
confession of the weakness of his case or n
marx OF conjunction at having adopted an in
ADVISABLE course. In this light the Governors
telegram asking the British government to con-
Ney 10 the government Of the United States the
'hahks OF the nation for the American assist
aiice rendered by Admiral Davis assumes con-
siderable Importance. and the Foreign Secretary
Sir Edward Grey, in forwarding this message TO
washington with the thanks of the imperial
government well expresses the feeling Of the
government and the nation on this subject
furthermore. Mr.. Haldane. the Secretary of
Slale Tor War; on behalf of the War Office. has
'aAeh quite unusual course and one indicatiy,
OF the exceptional Importance Of the occasion ~,
addressing dispatch TO Secretary Root which
iHulfecuy Implies censure OF the Governor ~
Jamaica 1t will thus be seen that practica1l,
al the ministers are adopting a highly appre
clauVe and correct attitude toward the United
States. and it cannot be doubted that the incl
dent VIII be settled. probably by the recall OF
governor Swettenham at least by a dis
aVo"ai OF MS action and an apology 10 Admiral
Davis
While the Foreign Office naturally is reluct
ant, in the absence Of fuller information 70
pass judgment on the affair its officials do not
hesitate in agreeing that under no conceivable
circumstances should such letter as Governor
0"etlehhams TO Rear Admiral Davis have been
written. and they say that even the stress ~
recent events is no excuse for such language on
The part Of government official 10 an officer
OF friendly nation engaged in a work Of hui
maiity
Replying 10 telegram from the British charge
oafaires at Washington reporting that the
state Department had inquired whether Great
Britain desired or was willing TO accept further
assistance in money other forms of aid for
the Kingston earthquake sufferers, the Foreign
Office to-day replied as follows:
The offer OF the American government 70 give
aid is gratefully appreciated by his
maica has not yet reported hts requirements
iuIly' but now that the first few days are over
II appears likely that there viii be no justifca-
ton for further calls on the generosity of the
United States. In the mean time his natesty's
government has been requested by Sir Alexander
S s- 10 convey 20 the government Of the
United States cordial thanks for the prompt
and powerful assistance which the United States
navy under Rear Admiral Davis rendered To the
inhabitants Of Kingston in their suffering
The telegram from the Jamaican Governor
was received shortly after o'clock this after
noon at the Colonial Office. It contained no
mention Of the incident involving the departure
OF the American warships
No persons were more surprised at the action
Of Governor Swettenham than the officials OF
the Foreign Office. who learned the first par
uculars through the press. In the absence of
Foreign Secretary Grey the Senior Secretary
OF the Foreign ONCE Immediately went 10 the
Colonial Office and suggested the propriety Of
getting the Governors statement without delay,
as II was felt that the incident might cause ir-
reparable injury to the friendly relations be-
tween the two governments II not promptly ex-
planned. II was as result OF this suggestion
from the Foreign Office that the Colonial Office
sent the message asking Governor Swettenham
70 report his version OF the affair. An official
OF the Foreign Office said:
II IS inexplicable. II II were not for Governor
Swettenham's letter which is so full az ,ncop
he had taken such action. / am sure no one can
regret Il more than do, and in this I am sure
can speak for Sir Edward Grey as well as for
the other officials of the Foreign Office SWEET
tenham has always been considered 10 be an ex-
cellent Governor, but it is hard TO see how he
can Justify his letter 10 Admiral Davis The
most charitable view TO take is that he is over
wrought by the great nervous strain resulting
from the disaster, and IL is great relief to hear
that there has not been any real trouble or
foundation for any
This does not explain. however the Governors
letter, which in line seems TO be chaff while
the next refers to the American efforts to as
sist in the relief work It is difficult 10 find
justification for the letter. It is n great sur
prise 10 US, when the news came that Adj
miral Evans had dispatched ships TO livingston
and later that men had been landed to help in
order and In caring for the wounded
the greatest appreciation was expressed on every
hand. Sir Edward Grey was particularly ap-
preciatiVe Of the kindly consideration Of the
American navy. and so expressed himself No
of armed men. which seemed quite natural under
the circumstances. and il is hard TO realize how
ANYBODY could object to IT, We shall make
every effort TO have the affair cleared up without
delay, and hope that the Americans will
withhold their judgment until this can be done.
Omcials of the Colonial Office expressed views
similar 10 those of the Foreign Office
Il is learned that the incident between Gov
ernor Swettenham and Admiral Davis is not the
only one which has arisen at Kingston. as It
now develops that the activities Of Sir Alfred |
Jones in relieving the situation at the Jamaica /
capital have given the Governor the idea that /