The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1907-01-25
DROVE MARINES
FROM KINGSTON
British Governor Don't Want Aid
Of Americans.
ACT CREATES SENSATION
Uncle SANS Jack Tars Were Helping
Quake and Fire Suffersts When Or
dered Away--Davis InSulted.

dered AwaY--DaviS lnSulted.
Rear Admiral Davis mission of mer-
cy to stricken Kingston came to an
abrupt and painful conclusion Satur-
day in consequence of Governor
swettenhaln's objection to the pres
ence of American sailors engaged in
the work of clearing the streets,
guarding property and saccoring the
wounded and sick, eliminating i'll a
letter to the admiral peremptorily re
questing him to re-em0ark all par
ties which had landed.
Admiral Davis WAS greatly shocked
and panied, and paid formal visit
to Governor Swettenham, informing
him that the United States battle
ships Missouri and Indiana and the
gunboat Yankton would leave at
once.
Admiral Davis said that immediate
compliance with Governor Swetten-
hams command was the only course
consistent with the dignity OF the
United States.
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 new earth
quake. He also declared there was
no necessity for American aid-that
his government 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,
RACED 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 in
cident Rear Admiral Davis wrote
Governor Swettenham rs follows:
MY Dear Governor: beg you to
accept my apology for the mistake OF
the salute this afternoon. My order
was misunderstood, and the disregard
of your wishes was due to a mistake
in the transmission Of my order. !
hope the apparent disregard Of your
wishes Will be overlooked.
81 landed working parties from both
ships today to aid in clearing the
various streets aud buildings, and pro
pose landing parties tomorrow for the
same purpose, unless YOU expressly do
not desire it. | think great deal
may be done in the way Of assistance
to private individuals without inter
ferring with the forces Of yourself and
the government officials. AS the Only
objects Of ny being mere is to rem
der such assistance as can, trust
you will Justify me in this matter
for the cause Of common humanity
Il had 4 patrol Of six men ashore
today to guard and secure the archives
of the Unitel States consulate, to-
gether With party of ten clearing
away wreckage. This party after fin
ishing it's work at the consulate as
sisted working parties to catch
thieves, recovering from them a safe
taken from iewelTy store, valued
at $4,000. From this, I judge that
the police surveillance Of the city is
inadequate for the protection Of Dri-
yate property.
"Actuated by the same motives,
namely, common humanity, I shall d.
rect the medical officers Of my squad
ron to aid the distress which perhaps
does not come under the supervision
Of your medical office.
II shall have pleasure in meeting
you at the hour appointed, 10 a. m,
at headquarters house.
81 trust you approve of my &C
ton In this matter Your Cbedient
servant, G. H. DAVIS,
"Rear Admiral"