Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1907-01-24
LONDON REGARDS SILENCE AS
CONFESSION OF WEAKNESS.
NOEXCUSE FOR HIS ACTION
British Officials Hope That Incident
viii not Lead to Any Disturbance
with United States-Residents of
jamaica Aggrleved at Governors
Conduct.

London, Jan. 22.--The colonial of
Ace is still without explanation from
Sir Alexander Swettennam, governor
Of Jamaica. Of the situation which led
to the withdrawal Of Rear Admiral
Davis warships from Kingston Satur'
day. The silence, although irritating
to the government, is construed as
goou sign that this much regretted
affair IS capable of amicable ADJUST
ment and will not lead to any dis
turbance Of the friendly relations be-
tween the United States and Great
Britain.
IL Is supposed that If Swettenham
had any reasonable justification for
his extraordinary letter to Admiral
Davis, he would not delay in placing
his government IN possession of tho
facts; therefore his silence Is re.
gardcd rs confession Of weakness
of his case, or evidence Of compunc-
ton at having adopted an Inadyisable
course. In this light the governors
telegram asking the British govern
ment 10 convey to the government Of
the United States the thanks Of the
nation for American assistance rem
dercd by Admiral Davis assumes con-
siderable Importance, and Foreign
Secretary Grey, In forwarding this
message to Washington with the
thanks Of the imperial government,
well expresses the feeling of the gov.
eminent and the nation on this sub
ject.
Censures jamaican Governor.
Furthermore, War Secretary Hal
dane on behalf Of the war Office, has
taken quite unusual course and one
indicative Of exceptional Importance
Of the occasion, by addressing a dis.
patch To Secretary Root which indi.
rectly implied censure of the govern
or of jamaica, 1t will thus be seen
that practically all the ministers are
adopting highly approclative atu-
tude toward the United States, and It
cannot be doubted that the incident
will be settled, probably by the re.
call Of Swottenhnm, or at least the
dlsavowal of his action and apology
TO Admiral Davis.
Disapprove SWettenham's Letter,
While the foreign Office naturally
Ia reluctant, in the absence of fuller
information to pass Judgment on the
affair. the officials of the foreign of.
flee do not hesitate In agreeing that
under no conceivable circumstances
should such letter AS Swettenham's
to Admiral Davis have been written,
and they declare even that the stress
of recent events is no excuse for
such language on the part of gov.
eminent official to an officer of a
friendly nation engaged In work of
humanity
Want Governor Recalled.
Kingston, jamaica, Jan 22-Tho
Indignation Of the residents of jana
Sea, both official and private citizens,
at the action of Governor Swetten.
ham in demanding the Withdrawal of
Admiral Davis relief forces Is spread
ing and ntcnsiGying The governors
response to Admiral Davis letter Ia
denounced and 1t Is generally
declared that tho only possible repair
alton is for the government to apol,
ogize and recall Swettenham. Ine
Jamaicans say the indignation, which
doubtless Is felt In the United States
and England, Is fully shared by the
residents Of the island, They con,
trast the apathy of the home govern
ment, which has not rendered any re.
lief, and the loyal generosity of the
United States, which instantly rushed
warships, surgeons, medicines and
food to the stricken city,
Deepest regret and modification Is
expressed lest Swettenham's action
may disturb the affectionate entente
between America and Great Britain.
Mayor TAFT, upon the departure of
Admiral Davis, voiced the sentiments
Of the citizens in letter to the ad-
miral deeply regretting the govern.
or's action, expressing the most heart.
felt appreciation of what the Amerl
cans did, and pleading that he and
his forces remain
Bound to Respect Wishes.
Admiral Davis replied thanking the
mayor for his expression Of approval
of the services of his officers and
men saying
"As foreign naval officer | am
bound to respect the wishes and re
quirements of the supreme authority
Of the island"
Swettenhams contention In his let.
ter to Admiral Davis that local police
protection was ample is In contrast
with the fact that Friday night after
sending the letter. the governor per
sonally visited the barracks and bit
terly censured the officers. saying
that pilfering was prevalent through.
out the city. Al the same time the
governor declared that he would not