The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1907-02-20
GREAT BRITAIN APOLOGIES
FOR JAMAICAN AFFR0N1
Governor Practically Ordered
Away Our Relief Fleet.
EARTHQUAKE VICTIMSINDlGNAN7
Swettenham in a Caustic Letter Told
American Naval Commander to
Withdraw Marines and Stop All
His Relief Measures.

Kingston, Jamaica .-Rear-Admira
Davis mission of mercy to stricken
Kingston came to an abrupt and pain
ful~conclusion in consequence of Gov
ernor ~Swettenham's objection to the
presence of American sailors engaged
in the work of clearing the streets,
guarding property and %succoring the
wounded and sick, eliminating in
a letter to the Rear-Admiral per-
emptorily requesting him to re-em-
bark all parties which Had been
landed.
Admiral Davis was greatly shocked
and panied, and paid a formal visit
to Governor Swettenham, informing
him that the United States battle
ships Missouri and Indiana and the
gunboat Yankton would sail in the
afternoon.
In a public announcement Admiral
Davis said that immediate compliance
with Governor Swettenham's request
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 mis-
take the firing for q new earthquake.
He also declared there was no neces-
sity for American aid, that his Gov
eminent was fully able to preserve
order, tend the wounded and succor
the homeless.
Rear-Admiral Davis, however,
landed parties of b~luejackets, who
~patrolled the streets, cleared the de-
bris, razed ruins, attended many Of
the wounded and won the highest
praise from residents and military
officers for excellent work.
. Governor S~wettenham in his letter
further informed Admiral Davis that
he must take his medical and mill
tary parties back aboard his vessels,
that their presence was unnecessary
and that he required no assistance in
caring for the injured or restoring
and preserving order in the city.
Admiral Davis kept his temper re-
markably we'll under the circum-
stances. He paid a formal visit Of
farewell to the Governor, whose
headquarters consist of some tents
outside the city, expressed his regret
that he was unable to do anything to
aid the people. of Kingston, drove
back to the city and sailed away.
Governor Swettenham's attitude
toward a friendly American officers
assistance Is greatly deplored by
many Of the residents of Kingston,
some of them even suggesting that
the Governor be petitioned to resign.
His action is construed by some as
inspired by resentment of President
Roosevelt's attitude toward Jamaican
negroes on the Panama Canal. 9th
ers ridicule the Governors objection
to the landing Of American sailors,
armed or not armed.
Dead are estimated under 1000.
The police have a list Of 422 bodies.
All stores, factories. warehouses and
hotels are gone. The Hamburg
American, railway and Elder-Demp-
ster wharves were saved by volunI
teer Germans Of the wrecked crew Of
the Princess Victoria Luise, in come
mand of the captain Of the vessel
Half Of the prominent merchants
were found dead in their places OF
business. Twenty-six white artili
lerymen were burned in the camp
hospital and forty black soldiers died
in their barracks.