The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1907-01-23
BRITISH OFFICIALS SURPRISED.
Unable to Understand Action of Gov
ernor SWette nham,

SCHOF -SWSIISE1nafns
London, Jan. 22.-After conferences
between officials of the foreign Office
and of the colonial Office the latter
cabled to Governor Swettenham of
Jamaica asking him for his version
of the situation which:led to tha with
drawal of Rear, Admiral Davis war
ships from Kingston on Saturday.
Nothing had been received from the
governor concerning any phase Of the
incident up to noon and his reply to
the specific request of the colonial
Office is now anxiously awaited.
No persons were more surprised at
the action of Governor Swettenham
than the officials of the foreign Office,
who learned the first particulars
through the press. In the absence of
Foreign Secretary Grey the senior sec
rotary of the foreign office imme-
diately went to the colonial office and
suggested the .propriety of securing
the governors statement without de-
lay, as it was felt that the incident
might cause irreparable injury to the
friendly relations between the two
governments if not promptly ex-
planned. It was as result of this
suggestion from the foreign Office that
the colonial Office sent cablegram
asking Governor Swettenham to re-
port his version of the affair.
1T is unexplainable,' said an official
of the foreign Office to the Associated
Press. IF it were not for Governor
SWettenham's letter, which is so full
of inconsistencies, it would be impos-
sible to believe that he has taken
such action. I am sure no one can re-.
gret it more than we do and in this I :
am sure can speak for Sir Edward
Grey as well as for the other officials
of the foreign office. Swettenham has
/. always been considered to be an ex.
cellent governor, but it is hard to see
how he can justify his, letter to Adj,
miral Davis.
Charitable View Of Case.
The most charitable view to take
Is Chat he is overweight by the great
nervous strain resulting from the dis
aster and it is great relief to hear
that there has not been any real trou-
BILE or foundation for any. But this
does not explain the governors letter,
which in one line seems to be chaff
while the next refers to the Amer
lean efforts to assist In the relief
work. It is difficult to find justi1ca-
ton for the governors letter. It is a
great surprise to us, as when the news
came that Admiral Evans had dis.
patched ships to Kingston and; later,
that men had been landed to help in
maintaining order and in caring for
the wounded. the greatest appreciation
was expressed on every hand. Sir
Edward Grey was particularly appre-
ciative Of the kindly consideration Of
the American navy and so expressed
himself"
Officials Of the colonial Office ex-
pressed themselves to the Associated
Press on substantially the same lines
as those of the foreign Office The
secretary of state for the colonies,
Lord Elgin, had not had any word
from Governor Swettenham and there.
fore did mot desire to make any Off
cial statement, but one Of the highest
officials of the colonial Office said:
Thus far we are only able to judge
from the press reports, but these APP
pear to show that Governor Swetten-
ham INDUCED in unaccountable sar-
casm. Possibly the terrible expert.
ences connected with the earthquake
may have caused him to lose his head
and it is hoped that the frightful con-
ditions at Kingston will be taken into
consideration.