New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-02
PRESIDENT BACKS DAVIS
1DNIR4L'S ACTS PRAISED
Conduct at Kingston Called Dis
finguished Service to Hunanity.

Washington. Feb. In unequivocal terms
president Roosevelt to-day approved Admiral
Dsyis's entire action IN connection with his visit
- Kingston Jamaica. to render aid TO the
stricken city. and in addition requested the Sec
rstary Of the Navy express TO Admiral Davis
his heartiest commendation of all that he did
The long expected report of Admiral Davis
on The circumstances leading up 10 the with
drswal of the feet from Kingston reached the
Navy Department to-day, and was at once laid
before the President. AS the President already
has announced that the diplomatic phase of the
case Is a closed incident, the report will not be
made public. but late to-day Secretary Metcalf
gave out the letter Of Admiral Evans, comman-
der in chief Of the Atlantic feet, warmly COM
rlending Admiral Davis for his conduct in a sit
ua1ion which was. say the least, somewhat
embarrassing" Admirable Evans remarks fur
Their. that it was particularly fortunate that
there was such an officer Admiral Davis at
hand to deal with the problem which arose.
The correspondence is supplemented by a
strong letter Of commentator Of Admiral Davis
by the President and by Secretary Metcalf who
adds his approval and communication Of Admiral
Davis's distinguished service TO humanity"
The letters follows:
The President TO Secretary Metcalf:
The White House.
Washington, February J. 1907
To the Secretary OF the Navy: l have read
carefully the report of Admiral Davis submitted
ny you, together with the report of Admiral
Evans commencing the actions of Admiral
Davis at Kingston. ! return them herewith
and desire that You express to Admiral Davis
Kingston. ! approve his entire action. He up
held the best traditions of navy in thus
rendering distinguished service 10 humanity.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT
Secretary MetcaIr TO Admiral Davis:
Navy Department
Washington February / 1907
Sir: The department has carefully considered
your report and the reports of your subordinate
officers the aid rendered by your squadron TO
the distressed people of Kingston. Jamaica, after
the disastrous earthquake and confagraton
which visited that city. The reports, with Ad-
miral EYanss Endorsement, approving your &C
tons and praising your able performance Of
cuty IN the face of so much confusion and difl-
Guilty. have been submitted to the President.
The President directs that the department eX-
press you his heartiest commentator Of all
You did at Kingston In his note 10 the depart
ment he states that you upheld the best tradi-
lions Of our navy in thus rendering distinguished
service 10 humanity. and approves your entire
actions. The department desires to add also its
approval and Communication OF your able ser
vice and the services OF the officers ana men
Y. H. METCALF. Secretary.
To Rear Admiral Charles H. Davis, L. S. N.
commanding Second Squadron, L. s. Atlantic
Fleet.
Admiral Evans TO Secretary Metcah:
United States Flagship Maine.
Guantanamo Bay, Cuba January %. 1907.
lIul!E IOENdIO6u dppIOF6tl' 10 Tic E9CNLS
tary Of the Navy, through Bureau OF Naviga-
ton. The report ana its appendices made by
officers who were the spot and therefore best
able TO judge. appear 10 set forth the whole stu
alton very clearly
The commander in chief feels that he cannot
too highly commend Rear Admiral Davis for the
very dignifed and mastery manner in which hG
conducted a situation which was, to say the
least somewhat embarrassing, and he deems It
particularly fortunate that there was at hand an
oficer such as he TO deal with the problems
which arose
The commander IN chief heartily approves the
comnendatory remarks relating 10 the officers
and men Of the ships who accompanied Admiral
Davis. but they did no more than Is expected OF
officers and men in the navy, and no more tnan
would have been done by officers and men OF the
other ships Of the feet, and, indeed. the ships
sent were not chosen above those OF otners OF
the feet for any other reason than that they
were more nearly ready for steamlng When the
news Of the disaster was received
r D EVANS. Rear Admiral L. s. n.
Commander in Chief l. 5. Atlantic Fleet