Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1907-01-22
NO OFFICIAL ACTION by
THE UNITED STATES


| NO OFFICIAL ACTION BY
THE UNITED STATES
| Washington. ID. c., AIN. 21.-From
official sources II is learned that no
official action will be taken by this
government or any attention paid to
the action of Governor Sweetenham
in asking Admiral Davis to withdraw
his forces from Kingston. II is held
that the act of the governor is that Of
single individual. for which the gov
ernment OF Great Britain is to be in
no manner held responsible. In his
report to the navy department, which
was received last night, Admiral
| Davis saws:
Acting Secretary of State Bacon
tonight. when shown the despatch
from. Kingston regarding Governor
! Swettenham's attitude toward Rear
Admiral Davis, who went to Kingston
with two battleships, a cruiser and
torpedo boat destroyer to administer
aid to the stricken people, al. once de-
clared 1t was not true. He declared
the newspapers were trying to make
trouble between Admiral Davis and
! Governor Swettenham.
There is no truth in IT. he said
emphatically. II know what | am talk
| ing about. There is not the slightest
kind of trouble or foundation for it in
| any way, shape or manner, The ships
| have not sailed. / know exactly what
! happened" he said, "and there is no
foundation for it in any manner,
IF you are looking for the facts
these are the facts
Mr.. Bacon would not disclose the
source of his information, but indi-
Gated a possibility Of official advices.
The news from Kingston of the with
draws of the American ship sent
there for relief work and the remark
able correspondence that led up TO
that step caused profound sensation
in Washington.
Naval officials to whom word of the
unexpected elimination of this gov
ernment's effort to relieve the victims
Of the disaster was communicated ex-
pressed astonishment but beyond that
carefully refrained from expressing
: their views for publicatlon
Secretary Metcalf received the first
news of the action of Admiral Davis
from the Associated Press He said
the news was a surprise to him and
that he had no adviees on the subject
through official channels, pending
which he did not feel at liberty to
make any comment on the jamaican
governors action
At the navy department it was
stated positively. that, aside from the
long dispatch from Admiral Davis un-
der date of the 18th, no dispatches
had been received from Kingston to-
day or tonight.
''As to the social conditions, the
governor, Sir Alexander Swettenham,
{ IN 10 a nf
Judging from his conversation in
that he holds the situation well
in hand. He assures me there
is no need of police protection
or relief; declined my offer to
land wrecking party to assist in
hospital, to police streets, clear away
debris to bury dead. He told me this
morning that loss by death was 440
already accounted for; there are still
many bodies in the ruins The Cuban
consul was killed, other foreign resi-
dents seem to have ESCAPED. The
American consul is absent The con-
sulate is represented by the vice con-
sui. | have a party ON shore now
guarding consulate. and securing ar
| chives.
Later, upon request, | landed fifty
men under arms from the Indiana to
| prevent an alleged mutiny at peniten-
tiary. containing between 500 and 500
| prisoners, then proceeded in car
rage with the governor to Kings
| House. Accompanied governor to city
and shall this afternoon probably
| withdraw the guard at the peniten-
4 tiary, as he assures me he is capable
of controlling the situation. He has
i the West Indian regiment, 1000
! strong, and two companies of artillery
| beside insular constabulary.
II consider IT my duty to remain for
/ the present at least. Situation too con-
/ fusing and conflicting, stories, reports,
complaints and rumors too contradic-
| tory to enable me at present to form
4 a clear judgment of actual situation.
/ Missouri Will coal tomorrow and until
| can get clearer account of the sit
uatiOn consider it opportune that this
ship should remain. AS far as any
! thing | can do goes, one ship Is fully
( capable of controlling the situation
and the fleet surgeon remains on board
4 Missouri. His presence and surgeon
| of ship are desirable under existing
conditions in view of possible emer-
gency. | have been able to afford re-
/ lief in many cases to private indiyid-
] .als"