Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1907-01-25
JAMAICA'S GOVERNOR
SpURNS AMERICAN AID
Protests Against Marines Land
ing and Says People Can Take
Care Of Themselves.
SUPPLIES ARE HELD UP
Admiral countermands Presidents Or
der, Owing to Governors Attitude
Distress in City Is Wide
spread.
SUPPLIES ARE HELD UP

washington, ID. c.. Jan. 22.-Acting
Secretary of State Bacon last night,
when shown the dispatch from Kings
ton regarding Governor Swettenham's
attitude toward Rear Admiral Davis,
who went to Kingston with two battle
ships, q cruiSer and torpeGoboat de-
Stroyer to administer aid TO the strlck-
en- people, at once declared IL was not
true. He declared the newspapers were
trying 10 make trouble between Ad-
miral Davis and Governor'Swettenham.
There is no truth in it," he said.
emphatically. Il know what am talk
ing about. There is not the slightest
kind of trouble or foundation for 1t in
any way, shape or manner. The ships
have not sailed. / know exactly what
happened" and repeated, there is no
foundation for it in any manner This
is perfectly straight. If you are look
ing for the facts these are the facts"
Mr.. Bacon would not disclose the
source of his information, but indicated
a possibility of official advices.
Kingston, Jamaica. Jan. 2S.-Rear
Admiral Davis mission of mercy TO
stricken Kingston has come TO an
abrupt and painful conclusion in con-
sequence of Governor Swettenham's OBJ
lection to the presence of American
sailors engaged in the work of clearing
the streets, guarding property and sue
coring the wounded and sick, culmt-
mating in a letter to the admiral, per-
emptorily" requesting him to re-embark
all parties which nae been landed.
Admira Davis was greatly shocked
and panied, and paid a formal visit to
Governor S~wettenham Saturday, in
forming him that the United States
battleships Missouri and Indiana and
the %gunboat Yankton would sail that
afternoon.
Declines All American Aid.
To the Associated Press Admiral
Davis said that immediate comiiance
with Governor Swettenham's request
was the only course consistent with
the dignity of the United States. The
friction between the governor n he
admiral began with the arrival of the
American warships, 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 ne
cessity for American aid-that his own
government was fully able to preserve
order, tend to the wounded n succor
the homeless.
Rear Admiral Davis, however, land
ed parties of ~bluejackets who pa
troled the streets, cleared the debris.
RACED ruins, attended MANI of the
wounded and won the highest praise
from citizens and military officers for
excellent work.
Admirai's Letter to Governor.
On the afternoon Of the salute in
cident, Rear Admiral Davis wrote
Governor Swettenham as follows:
MY Dear Governor: / beg you to accept
my apology for the mistake of the salute
his afternoon. My order was misunder-
stood, and the disregard OF your wishes
was due to a mistake in the transmission
of my order. / trust the apparent disre-
gard OF your wishes will be overlooked.
/ landed working parties from both
ships today to aid in clearing the various
streets and buildings, and purpose landing
parties tomorrow for the same purpose UNI
less you expressly do not desire 1t. l
think a great deal may be done in the
way of assistance to private individuals
without interfering with the forces of
yourself and the government of the island.
The only object of my being here is to
rende such assistance as / can. / trust
that you will justify me in this matter for
the cause of common humanity.
/ had a patrol of six men ashore today
to guard and secure the archives OF the
United States consulate, together with a
party of ten clearing away the wreckage.
This party, after finishing its work at the
consulate, assisted a working party to
catch thieves, recovering from them a
safe taken from a jewelry store valued
at $o,UtU. rom tnlS 4 Judge lQdt lHe DO-
lice surveillance of the city is inadequate
for the protection OF private property.
Actuated by the same motive, namely,
common humanity, ] shall direct the med
ical officers of my squadron to make all
efforts to aid cases of distress which per-
haps do not come under the observation
of your medical officers.
/ shall have pleasure in meeting you at
the hour appointed, 10 a. m, at headquar-
ters house. l trust you approve of my ac-
ton In this matter. Your obedient ser
want, G. IL. Davis,
Rear Admiral.
Gets a Chilly Reply.
Governor Swettenham responded Friday
Dear Admiral: Thanks very much for
your letter, your kind call and all the
assistance given or offered us. While !
most heartily appreciate the very gener-
Gus offers OF assistance, / feel IL my duty
10 ask you to re-embark the working parry
and all parties which your %kindness
prompted YOU to land.
II in consideration for the vice consil's
assiduous attentions to his family at his
country house the American consulate
needs guarding, in your opinion. although
he was present and it was not guarded an
hour ago. | have no objection 10 your de
failing a force for the sale purpose OF
guarding, but the party must have no fire.
arms ard nothing more offensive than
clubs or slaves for this function.
| find your working party was this
morning helping Mr.. Crosswell clean his
store. CrOSSWell was delighted that the
work was done without cost. If your
excellency should remain long enorgh
am sure almost all the private owners
would be glad OF the services OF the navy
TO save expense.
II is no longer a question OF humanity
all the dead Died days ago, aud the work
OF giving them burial is merely one OF
convenience.
l would be glad to accept delivery OF the
safe which II Is alleged thieves had pos.
session OF. The American vice consul has
no knowledge 60 IL, the store IS close e
a sentry post, and the officer of the pos,
processes ignorance OF the incident.
/ believe the police surveillance Of the
city is adequate for the protection OF pTi
Vate property. ! may remind your ex.
cellency that not long ago it was discov.
cred that thieves had lodged in and pill
LACED the residence OF some New York mil,
Lonaire during his absence IN the summer
DIVORCED" SHE WIRES;
l-rEFa AtnS 0nngs5 Ia n-nt VI