Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1907-01-25
LANDS MARINES BY REQUEST
British Colonial Secretary Asked Admiral
Davis for Armed Assistance.
/. WITHIN BOUNDS OF PROPERTY
Department Finds Precedent in
Another British West Indian
Calamity where Americans
Did Good Work.


WASHINGTON, Jan. A.-The receipt to-
day of the official full tet Of the corre-
spondence between Rear Admiral Davis
and Governor Swettenham of Jamaica.
which did not differ from the communica-
tions transmitted by the Associated Press
last Sunday night caused the naval ON
cials again to study the situation to see
IL Admiral Davis had in any way trans
gressed the bounds Of propriety in his visit
to Kingston. They not only found prec-
edent for his landing men from his ships
to preserve order. strangely enough in the
case of another British island in the West
Indies, but also saw nothing in the whole
affair to warrant the letter addressed to
him by Governor Swettenham.
Statement by MetcRIf.
Secretary Metcalf late this evening gave
out the following statement bearing on
the subject:
The department has received the full text
of the correspondence between Rear Ad-
miral Davis, commanding the squadron of
naval vessels which visited Kingston
Jamaica, after earthquake. and Sir Alex
ander Swettenham. govelnor Of Jamaica.
From this correspondence 1t ppears that
Admiral Davis landed a party of six to
guard and secure the archives OF the
American consulate and another party OF
ten men for the purpose Of clearing away
the wIeckage. Later, on the earnest en-
treaty of the colonial secretary and the in
spector OF police, who spoke for the gov
ernor Cthe governor being absent from the
city and at Kings House, some three
miles distant), tfty men we're landed under
arms from the Indiana to overawe an al
legged .o6 mutiny ~ at the penitentlsry. contain
then proceeded by carriage to visit the
governor at Kings House and found him
living with his family in tents, and was
accompanied to the city by the governor.
That same afternoon, on the request Of the
governor. the men were Withdrawn from
shore and returned to their ships.
Precedent ia Cited.
The action of Admiral Davis in landing
undor the circumstances is not without
precedent there being numerous cases to
ny Action m Am M ,9cieent Reat that may be oted
Meade. u. s. N, in landing men at Port
of Spain, Trinidad. to suppress a fire and
a letter Thy the governor of the island OF
Trinidad expressing his gratitude for the
action. The letter says
Sir: beg you to accept the best thanks
OF this government for the prompt and
most valuable assistance rendered by you
at the disastrous fire which occurred yes
terday in Port Of Spain.
The large body OF men which you sent
ashore, under Lieutenant Swift and other
ofho ers worked most gallantly and ad-
mirably in situations Of considerable dan
| ger, and involving in their indefatiguable
exertions that the fire was not more ex-
tensive and that much valuable property
to report in this sense to her majesty 5
| government
not soon be forgotten and that our ap-
| probation of 1t Is more enhanced by the
! fact that the assistance came from vessels
| of the United States navy.
| Your most obedient servant,
y. NAPIER BRooME
fleet at the naval station, Guantanamo.
| only 130 miles from Kingston, at the time
Of the earthquake placed us in position for
perience in the San Francisco earthquake
and flre of last April showed the need of
sufficient police protection and great bene-
! fits resulting from the use of naval
forces in such an emergency The COM
mander-in-chief acted promptly and sent
nnm6sT o esses sIa hSyi1E the
and food as lay, in his power, and was
spatching two store ships laden with large
quantities of food supplies intended for
the fleet, which were diverted from this
After the men were withdrawn from
ashore and returned to their ships a tele-
gram was received from Brigadier General
commanding the army OF pacihcation In
Cuba.
Tents Were Available.
Secretary Metcalf herequotes Governor
Mogoons statements that tents had been
sent from Cuba TO Kingston. at the request
of the British minister. and continues:
AT the time of the above mentioned re-
quest by the acting British minister at
| Havana for tents for the sufferers al
| Kingston, Admiral Davis had on board the
vessel under his command, then in Kings
thereto many Of the tents asked for and
which were available for use had the gov
ernor desired and had the remaining ships
at Guantanamo. with more than 200 tents
of the kind asked for, many more thar
actually needed TO supply the wants, all
miral Davis from Admiral Evans by re-
quest by wireless.
swettenhAm VIII Probably Retire.
has received several kilograms from Sir
Alexander Swettenham. governor OF ia
maica. explaining the incident involving
rear Admiral Davis, but not one is OF such
character that the authorities will make Il
public.
The foreign once says 1t has had nc
further communication from Washington
and that with the receipt OF President
Roosevelts telegram through Assistant
Secretary Bacon the international side OF
the question is regarded as settled. It Il
possible, however, that when Governor
swettenham's explanation is received IL
full there will be further communication
with Washington. The Associated Pres,
gained the general impression at the gov
ernment offices today that Governor SWEET
tenham's career is at an end.
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