Smyrna times., 1907-01-23
DON'T WANT
AMERICAN AID
Governor of Jamaica Objects to U. S.
Sailors in Kingston.
q. S. WARSHIPS SAIL AWAY

For American Aid, AS He Is Able
to Preserve Order and Care For the
Wounded-Streets -Reek With the
Stencil of Decaying Dead, and Gov
ernor Says Their Burial Is Merely
One of Convenience.
Kingston, Jamaica, Jan. 81. - Rear
Admiral Davis mission of mercy to
stricken Kingston came to an abrupt
and painful conclusion in consequence
of Governor Swettenham's objection to
the presence of American sailors en-
gagged in the work of clearing the
streets, guarding property and succor-
ing the wounded and sick, eliminating
in letter to the admiral peremptorily
requesting him to re-embark all parties
which had been landed.
Admiral Davis was greatly shocked
and panied and paid formal visit to
Governor Swettenham, informing him
that the United States battleships Mis-
souri, and Indiana and the gunboat
Yankton would sail at once.
The friction between the governor
and the admiral began with the ar
rival of the American war vessels,
when the governor objected to the
firing of a salute in his honor, on the
ground that the citizens might mistake
the firing for a new earthquake. He
also declared there was no necessity
for American aid-that his govern
ment was fully able to preserve order,
tend the wounded and succor the
homeless.
Rear Admiral Davis, however, land
ed parties of bluejackets, who pa
trolled the streets, cleared the debris,
razed ruins, attended many of the
wounded and won the highest praise
from citizens and military officers for
excellent work.
On the afternoon of the salute Incl
dent Rear Admiral Davis wrote Gov
ernor Swettenham as follows:
ernor Swettenham, apologizing for the
salute and offering to render any as
sistance possible to the stricken peo-
pie.
Asked to 9e-Embark Marines.
Governor Swettenham responded
Friday as follows:
Dear Admiral-Thanks very much
for your letter, your kind call and all
the assistance given or offered us.
While l most heartily appreciate the
very generous offers of assistance,
feel it my duty to ask you to re-embark
the working party and all parties
which your kindness prompted you to
land.
''If in consideration of the American
vice lconsul's assidious attentions to his
family at his country house the Ameri-
can consulate needs guarding in your
opinion, although he was present and
it was not guarded an hour agJ, l have
no objection to your detailing a force
for the sole purpose of guarding; but
the party must have no firearms and
nothing more offensive than clubs or
slaves for this function.
81 find your working party was help
ing Mr.. Crosswell clean his store.
Crosswell was delighted that the work
was done without cost. If your excel
lency should remain long enough am
sure almost all the private owners
would be glad of the services of the
navy to save expense
at is no longer a question of hui
manity; all the dead died days ago,
and the work of having them buried is
merely one of convenience.
81 believe the police surveillance of
the city is adequate for the protection
of private property. l may remind your
excellency that not long ago it was
discovered that thieves had lodged in
and pillaged the residence of some
New York millionaire during his alb
sence in the summer; but this would
not have justified a British admiral
landing an armed party and assisting
the New York police.
81 have the honor to be. with pro
found gratitude and the highest re
spect, your Obedient servant.
ALEXANDER SWETTENHAM.
Governor"
supply-ship Orders countermanded.
When Rear Admiral Davis called Al
headquarters house to bid farewell
to Governor Swettenham, he waited 1;
minutes He then informed the gov
ernOr's aide that he would wait uC
lonsor. and requested him to tell the
governor that in consequence of hi.
attitude in not desiring American aid
he had countermanded President
Roosevelt's order, dispatching the sup
ply ship Celtic, laden with beef, fol
the relief of Kingston.
Governor Swettenham arriving a
that moment, there was a brief pri
yate meeting, and the governor escort
ed Rear Admiral Davis to his carriage
Salutations were exchanged, and tn
governor, replying to Rear Admira
Davis regret that he was unable Il
do more for Kingston, said. "All tn
more to your honor" adding dee
bow, evidently in reply to Admira
Davis reference to his departure, an
meaning that he would do the sam
If in the admirals place.
Rear Admiral Davis told the Asso
ciated Press that he deeply regrette
the governors attitude He was sti