New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-01-22
Gratitude OF BRITAIN,
Cordial Messages Exchanged scith
american State Officials.
IBy The Associated Prsssn


to-day between the British Secretary OF state
Car War and the State Department. made r,,,I,o
here tonight, wholly ignoring the letters 1vbicb
pssed between Admiral Davis and Governor
svsttenham al Kingston, have had the effao, 90
relieving the feeling of annoyance which hsd
existed since IT became known that Admiral
Davis returned yesterday TO Guantanamo from
kingston with his ships which had gone 10 aid
The stricken people OF jamaica The message
srom London is Interpreted here as meaning
that the British government and people disavow
the action OF the Governor of Jamaica in re-
euesrng Admiral Davis TO embark his men,
The text OF the dispatches referred 10 is as fol-
lcysi
Hon. Eihu Root. Secretary of State Wash
Have read in newspapers this morning what
purports 10 be letter from Governor OF ia
maicR- Can only say that on materials before
ne ! entertain as responsible for troops in
Island, feeling Of deep gratitude 10 American
admiral for generous assistance rendered at most
Secretary of State for War.
TO THIS the Following reply was sent:
Ealdane. Secretary OF State for War. London.
The PRESIDENT greatly appreciates your cor
dial telegram, and is glad If the proximity of
this country has made il possible 10 be of the
slightest assistance TO the stricken people OF
Jamaica, in this crisis. If because OF this prox-
unity dIiQ k'enOlfls tne arrival OF your
ships and transports, we can render any further
aid whatever the President earnestly hopes YOU
viii can on him without hesitation. We know
how cneerfully you would render such aid TO US
were The circumstances reversed.
BACON, Acting Secretary OF State.
Meantime Admiral Davis. who arrived at
guantanamo from Kingston yesterday with the
battleships Missouri and Indiana and the cruiser
Yankton. is preparing a report. which VIII be
forwarded 10 Washington by mail. The subject
was regarded as one OF such deiicacy that Il was
deemed advisable 10 send It in this manner
rather than by wireless telegraphy.
While the general sentiment here was one OF
extreme resentment at the treatment OF Admiral
Davis. there was no official who would venture
TO express himself IN criticism for publication.
Mr.. Bacon, Acting Secretary Of State. was an
early caller at the White House. where he was
IN conference with the President, and later It
developed that the President took the position
that there was nothing In the episode which
would warrant the slightest representations by
this government on the subject, and no repre-
sentations VIII be made.
The promptness with which the government
acknowledged its appreciation OF the sending OF
the ships 20 Jamaica IS indicated in the follow
ing correspondence which passed between Score
tary Root and Esme Howard, the British charge,
which also was made public tonight:
Department OF State WASHINGTON, Jan. 16, 1907.
Ny Dear Mr.. Howard: 3-ay I ask You 10
cable directly 70 the Governor of Jamaica
which the people Of the United States feel for
the people Of Jamaica in their great misfortune?
whether the situation in Jamaica is such that
the people are in need Of supplies or assistance
OF any kind which we can send from our naval
station at GuantanamOg If there is anything
that we do TO relieve prevent distress our
Navy Department will be most happy 10 do IL,
and Guantanamo is so near TO Kingston that
early Yllipf n afforded frOrn thera
ELIHU ROOT.
OF Great Britain
To this Mr. Howard replied the next day. as
follows:
British Embassy, Washington. Jan. IL. 1907.
Sir: I have the honor TO inform you that
have been instructed by his maJestySs principal
Secretary Of state for Foreign Affairs TO express
the high appreciation OF his maJestys govern
Hnent at the prompt assistance rendered by the
United States government in the dispatch Of
their ships 10 Jamaica 10 afford aid 10 the
stricken population OF Kingston
have the honor TO be- with the highest con-
alteration. sir. your most O6edient humble SER
want ESME HOWARD.
To Hon Elihu Root. etc
Mr Howard tonight called on Mr.. Bacon and
presented a letter from Sir Edward Grey. the
British Foreign Secretary. regarding the Incl
dent. It says that official inquiry win be
made 10 determine the authenticity Of the let
ter purporting 20 have been written by Gov
ernor Swettenham to Rear Admiral Davis.
The British Foreign Office. Il says is entirely
without official advices. and their only infornla-
ton has been through the press dispatches. "If
these advices prove 10 be correct II adds, Great
Britain VIII deeply regret that any British off,
cial should have written such Ia letter 20 the
gallant admiral, who had rendered such vaiua-
be assistance 10 British subjects az a time OF
great suffering and distress"
Secretary Bacon assured Mr.. Howard that
President Roosevelt and the officials OF the
State Department were much gratified 10 receive
these messages from the British government and
especially so IN view OF the fact that Great
Britain has not even waited 10 receive official
Gdvfoes concerning the unfortunate occurrence
before communicating with this government.
At the State Department tonight Il was stated
that as far as this government was concerned
the matter would be allowed TO drop, the de-
partment's position being that the action Of one
man Ia q distant colony, at time OF great dis
tress and mental anguish. should not be the
means OF raising unpleasant issue with a
great and friendly nation.
Of1cialB Of the National Red Cross IN this city
90 not believe that the Jamaican authorities
VIII refuse 10 accept the supplies which have
been sent by the society TO that island for the
relief Of the sufferers account Of the CORE
tpondence between the Governor OF Jamaica and
Admiral Davis. At least such intimation has