Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-01-28
Exit SWettenham.

Gov. Swettenham's resignation. apparently
confirmed by the dispatches. eliminates that
really small figure from the scene, In which
he has for a week assumed n conspicuous
place by reason of his stupidity and IN
competence There has never been a mo-
ment from the hour of the first announce
ment of his bad break whe, the relations
of the United States and England were in
the least degree strained on account of the
deplorable incident. The truth Of the situa-
ton was Immediately revealed A narrow
minded. self-important and inefficient colo
NAL official had violated the laws Of hui
mainly and courtesy at a time when he
should have punctiaously regarded them.
He had evidently forgotten that the cable
and the printing press were agents OF pub
licity over which he had no control He
had ignored the fact that the British public
10 no longer animated by the former In
sular prejudice against Americans on which
colonial officials have in the past been ac-
eustomed to depend for support of their
anti-American actions. His reputation at
home came swiftly, in terms far more Sc
we're In condemnation than those employed
in the United States
Doubtless the Swettenham incident will
serve as a text in England. when public
opinion has reached the point Of seeking
the full history of the case. The allega-
lions now made by refugees that the Eng
llsh men and women OF wealth and title
acted in a heartless manner toward the
suffering victims of the disaster may cause
an investigation which will reach far be-
yond the conduct of the governor. 1t is
probable that but for Swettenham's insult
ing letter to Admiral Davis the govern
ment at London would have paid no heed
to these tales. But his otherwise mex
plicable act may now be found to have
been inspired by the sentiments toward
Americans held by those people of unoffi-
cial standing in Jamaica whose influence
with the governor appears to have been
paramount A general overhauling of the
Jamaican administration is not at all
likely as one ot the results of this episode.
In some respects the Swettenham affair
has been highly fortunate. 1t has developed
before the world the healthy state of Anglo
American sentiment, proving that the two
great English-speaking countries have
reached a plane of understanding which
makes for a hearty, progressive co-opera-
ton in all that pertains to the attainment
of the highest international ideals. The
old prejudices have in large measure SUBJ
sided. Free intercourse has brought the
two peoples into close touch. Each now
to a greater degree than ever before re-
spects the other. Each enters more intelli-
gently than ever before into the intellectual
and political life of the other. Each, to
an extent never before known. appreciates
the motives of the other. Time was, only
a few years ago, when a Swettenham
might have caused these two great powers
TO talk belligerently and possibly to pre-
pare for war. But there are reasons to be-
lieve that that time has passed forever. If
ever the United States and England face
each other menacingly il will be on account
OF vital issue which cannot be COM
pounded by common-sense diplomacy. some
clash of fundamental interests beyond the
reach of adjustment And there is nothing
now in view TO suggest thar there will ever
be such issue.