Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-01-23
Messages From Governor
of Jamaica Care
fully Guarded.
REFUGEES REACH HOME
Americans Complain Loudly of
Their Treatment by
British.

London. Jan. 23-The government
here has heard from Governor Swetten-
ham of Jamaica concerning the Incl
dent involving the withdrawal of
American warships from Kingston. Alb
solute secrecy is maintained at the
colonial office, but the fact was elected
during the night a good many tele-
grams were received from Swettenham,
some of which deal with the incident.
THESE. it is understood, confirm the
main features of the affair as already
known.
VIII Not he Disclosed.
1t is not the present intention of the
colonial office TO make the terms pub
lie, the official view being it is a per
sOnaI affair between the government
department ana the official, which is
properly adjustable between them.
Americans Arrive Home.
New York, Jan. 23.-Nearly $50 |
Americans who passed through the
earthquake at Kingston, Jamaica, ar
rived here yesterday on the steamer |
Prinz Eitel Friedrich.
Each one had the same story to tell, |
and it was not of the earthquake, but
of the brutal treatment accorded them
by British officials on the island and
the English party aboard the steamer
Port Kingston, including Sir Alfred
Jones. These latter they accuse of re-
fusing food or shelter to american wo-
men, who were forced to spend two
days and nights without adequate
clothing, food or water.
DRAW Up Statement.
The treatment accorded them was
set forth in a statement drawn up at a
meeting of the American refugees on
board the Prinz Eitel before the steam
er reached New York.
This statement, which declares the
conduct of the English at Kingston
showed the much talked of bonds of
blood and language, when tested, to be
a mockery and a diplomatic phantom,
are as follows:
Condemn Captain.
I'VE. company of American refu-
gees of Kingston, Jan. II to Jan. II.
1907, on board the steamship Prinz
Eitel Friedrich, herewith utter en-
phatie condemnation of the conduct and
behavior in that period of certain Off
cials of rank. specifically Captain Par
sons, commander of the British steam
ship Port Kingston, lying in the har
Dor of Kingston, and aboard which was
Sir Alfred Jones, his superior, and
other officials. basing our contentious
on the following counts:
''First-That Captain Parsons declin-
ed to furnish food for one meal to the
small number of Germans, led by Cap
tain Richard Vahsel OF the Hamburg
American line, who presented four
docks from burning on the night of the
18th. among them the Port Kingston's
own wharf.
Yield to British.
"Second-That such American and
other refugees as the small boats man.
ned by Captain Vahsel and others gath
cred and lodged on Monday on board
the Port Kingston, were summarily or
dered ashore at p. m. on Tuesday TO
make room for English refugees,
though women and children tearfully
pleaded that they had not food nor
clothing on shore.
'Third-That the wounded of mixed
nationalities were taken ashore at the
same hour and left in cruel situation
on the railway wharf until cared for
by American naval authorities on
Thursday, except such as were moved
by train TO Spanish Town or by rela-
tives who found them.
Insult Added to Cruelty.
'Fourth-That when Father O'Dono-
van of Boston, Father Gavin of Indian
apolis. and the Rev. H F. Auld of Hat
boro, Pa, took petition to Sir Alfred
Jones and Captain Parsons from the
refugees, sleeping on trunks, sacks of
coffee, and the cargo fouled planks of
the Hamburg-American dock, to allow
the said refugees to go on board the
Port Kingston, then at the dock, and
sleep on the bare clean decks. where
they would be safe from recurrent
earthquake shocks, Captain Parsons
refused with great incivility and, COM
ing to the Hamburg-American dock.
showed the party further discourtesy.
"Fifth-That in the three days.
though Sir Alfred Jones and his party