The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-01-21

himself. Nowhere did we hear any
criticism of the landing of armed men
cumstances and it is hard to realize
how anybody could object to 1t. we
shall make every effort to have the at
fair cleared up without delay and we
hope Americans will withhold their
Judgment until it can be done"
Officials of the colonial Office express
ed themselves to the Associated Press
on substantially the same lines The
colonial secretary not having had any
word from Governor Sweetenham de-
clined to make any statement, but one
of the highest officials of the office
said;
Thus far we are only able to judge
from press reports but these appear 10
show that Governor Sweetenham IN
dulged in unaccountable sarcasm. Poss
sibly the terrible experiences connected
with the earthquake may have caused
him to lose his head and it Is hooeo
that the present frightful conditions at
Kingston will be taken into constdera-
ton. One thing is certain:
Governor Sweetenham acted solely
upon his own personal responsibility
not a word has been sent from here
which authorized or in any way JUS
titled such a course as he has adopt
ed
It is learned that the incident be-
tween Governor Sweetenham and Ad-
miral Davis is not the only one which
has arisen at Kingston as it now de-
velopS that the activities OF Sir Alfred
Jones in relieving the situation at the
Jamaican capital have given the COVER
nor the idea that Sir Alfred ought to
take the matter in hand Sir Alfred Is
one of the principal business men OF
Great Britain, president of the Liver
pool Chamber of Commerce, head OF the
Elder Dempster Steamship line, ana
leader of the British Commercial party
which has been visiting Jamaica.
John Westlake, professor of interna-
tional law at the University of Cam
bridge, one of the members of the Uni
ted Kingdom of international court or
arbitration at The Hague and ex-presl-
dent of the Institute of International
Law, made the following statement to
the Associated Press:
II am unable to see any justification
in international law for the action OF
Governor Sweetenham. 1t was rather
informal on the part of Admiral Davis
if he did not ask for the governors
permission before landing men, but the
landing of men. though they were
armed, was not even a technical breach
of international law as it was, apparent
that there was no design to exert Amer
ical authority"
The Patients Cried
Goaptanamo, Cuba. January 21.-The
United States battleship Missouri, has
arrived from Kingston. 1t was stated
today that Governor Sweetenham held
up Saturday nights dispatches from
Kingston, regarding his letter to Rear
Admiral Davis requesting him to re-
embark the American marines who had
been landed to assist in the relief work
ashore.
the American warships the mayor and
city council of Kingston, sent a petit
ton to the admiral begging him to re-
main and the relief committee headed
nv Archbishop Hubball, threatened to
resign When the American surgeons
left the hospital the patients wept and
begged them and the American war
ships to stay and the Red Cross nurses
+la& I1n not
causing the Americans to withdraw was
nothing short of criminal.
Declines Our Rations.
New York, Jan. PA special to the
Times from Kingston, Jamaica. says
that Governor Sweetenham in addition
to refusing aid from Rear Admiral
Davis has declined an offer sent by the
war department of the United States to
extend Immediately TIC Kingston 10000
rations which were intended for troops
in Cuba and would have been diverted
here.
Will Not Mind 1t.
Washington, Jan. 21.-From official
sources it is learned that no attention
will be paid by this government to the
action of Governor Sweetenham of
Jamaica in asking Rear Admiral Da-
Wis to withdraw his forces from King
ston. 1t is held here that the act of
the governor is that of a single indivi-
ment IS in no manner to be held re-
sponsible.
In Grateful Mood.
London. Jan. 21.-ShOrtly after 5
O'Clock this afternoon the colonial
office received a dispatch from Cover
nor Sweetenham asking the British
to convey to the govern
ment of the United States the thanks
of Jamaica for the American assist
ance rendered by Admiral Davis.
The telegram contained no mention
of the incident involving the depar-
ture of the American warships.
InInrstnr, L. ErInr.aNorl