Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-01-21
Arrive. mt Guantanamo.

Washington, Jan. 21.-Rear Admiral
Evans notified the navy department of
the arrival at Guantanamo early today
of Rear Admiral Davis and battleships
Missouri and Indiana. and cruiser
Yankton from Kingston.
Governors Act Feature.
New York. Jan. 21.-The feature of
the news from Kingston today is the
declaration of Sir James Alexander
Swettenham, governor of Jamaica, to
accept American aid and the departure
in consequence OF the American war
ships under command of Rear Admiral
Davis.
Did Not Agree With Hin.
Swettenham's action appears not to
have met the views of the people and
city officials of Kingston. 1t is report
ed the city council met after the Incl
dent became known and promptly dis
approved of the English governors ac-
ton. and not only sent letter of regret
to- Davis, but asked him to reconsider
the decision TO leave ana remain with
the American ships. as every aid was
still urgently needed
Had No Alternative.
Davis replied he had no alternative
but go in accordance with the desire
OF the constituted authorities. English
newspaper comments on the incident
are all unanimous in regretting the oc-
currence and expressing the hope the
good relations existing between the
United States and Great Britain will
not be endangered thereby.
Wire for information.
London. Jan. 21.-After conferences
today between officials of the foreign
office and the colonial office, the latter
cabled Governor Swettenham of ia
maica. asking him for his version of
the situation which led to the with
drawal of Rear Admiral Davis war
ships from Kingston on Saturday.
Nothing had been received from the
governor concering any phase of the
incident up to noon, and his reply to
the specific request is now anxiously
awaited.
Foreign Office Surprised.
No persons were more surprised at
the action of the governor than off
cials of the foreign Office, who learned
the first particulars through the press.
''It is unexplainable," said an official
of the foreign office to the Associated
Press. IF it was not for Governor
Swettenham's letter, which is SO full of
inconsistencies. it would be impossible
to believe he has taken such action. l
am sure no one can regret it more than
we do. Swettenham has always been
considered to be an excellent governor,
but it is hard to see how he can justi
fy his letter to Davis.
May BE irresponsible.
"The most charitable view to take is
he is overwrought by the great nervous
strain resulting from the disaster, and
it is a great relief to hear there has
not been any real trouble or foundation
for any. But this does not explaiz the
governors letter, which in one line
seems to chafe while in the next he
refers to the American efforts to assist
in relief work
Had Been Coinmer
'It is difficult to fin1 sdfication for
the governors letto st is a great sur
prise to us. az Zen. the. news came
that Admir- Evans had dispatched
ships tS -ngston, and later, when a ]
force.l-ad been landed to help in. main
tanning order and in caring for the
wounded. the greatest appreciation was
expressed on every hand. Nowhere
did We hear any criticism of landing
armed men, which seemed quite nat
ural in the circumstances, and it is