Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1907-01-24
Received by Colonial Office Which
Refuses to Disclose Their
Contents.
THE INCIDENT IS DISMISSED
BY the INSTRUMENTATION Govern
ment VIII Pay no Further
Heed 10 II.

London, Jan. 2S.-Tho colonial office
now has official advices from Sir Alex
ander Swettenham, governor OF ia
maica. concerning the exchange of let
tiers between himself and Rear Ad-
miral Davis. The extent OF the advices,
however and whether they contain an
explanation. an apology or eNtenuating
circumstances, has not been disclosed
1t appears that the imperial authors
ties requested the governor of Jamaica
to send them copy of his letter to
Rear Admiral Davis. This now has
been furnished. and 1t shows that the
letter as sent out by the Associated
Press was to all intents and purposes
a correct copy.
II is learned that the secretary for
the colonies. Lord Elein. sent second
cablegram TO Gov. Swettenham, asking
him to give his version OF the affair.
and to this. the foreign office informed
the Associated Press tonight no an
swer has yet been received.
John r. Carter, American charge.
called at the foreign office tonight ond
received the same explanation of the
situation as was given the Associated
Press.
The fact that Gov swettenham
wrote the letter to Rear Admiral Davis
having been established, there remains
only to determine the official formal-
ties and the indications are that the
matter will be handled through the
usual Diplomatic channels and that the
correspondence will be made public III
a blue book.
Discussion Of the Incident shows that
the British view makes a clear differ
entation between Gov Swettenham's
opposition to the presence of foreign
force on jamaican soil and his manner
Of expressing this opposition.
What is condemned Is the tone OF the
letter TO Rear Admiral Davis the for
egn office having declared that there
was mo excuse for such language
from an official to an officer Of friend
" nation engaged In work of human
ity," and the press and public are
adopting a substantially similar view.
Rut on the question whether or not
Gov, Swettenham was justified IN ask
ing Rear Admiral Davis to wiihdra "
the armed forces from the island Brit
ish opinion inclines that Gov. Swetten-
ham acted clearly within his rights, al
though many persons contend that the
abnormal conditions should have In
duoed the governor to waive the usual
requirements.
The idea prevails that the ndmir
atty. as an outcome of the recent
events I'm Jamaica, may modify the
plans under which the West Indies
|. were almost abandoned as q naval
station II Is suggested that Jamaica
might be made a strong naval station
| attached to an effective and well
! equipped naval base on the Canadian
| coast, II the forthcoming colonial con
| ference can devise some plan for tbs
| distribution OF the financial RESPONSE
bility for naval defense throughout
the empire.
The Tribune recently has been pro-
noting the dispatch Of relief ship TO
Kingston. Jamaica, and large num-
Der of British firms have contributed
necessary supplies OF all kinds to the
enterprise. Lord ElStn, the secretary
for the colonies, has now written to
inform the Tribune that he is assured
by Sir Alexander Swettenham. the
governor of Jamaica, that ample sup
plies of all sorts. with the exception
OF building materials. are now avail
able at Kingston. and that therefore.
while he heartily thanks the generous
donors OF these supplies, he does not
think II necessary TO send further con-
tributions
The Tribune this morning, in a
testy editorial article, says II thinks
the governor of Jamaica Is too indie
pendent, and that the responsibility
Kingston must rest with Gov. SWEET
tenham and the colonial office.
INCIDENT DISMISSED.
Washington, Jan. 2s.--The presi-
dent has finally dismissed the incident
connected with the refusal by Gov.
Swettenham Of aid from Admiral