Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1907-02-02
CARRIED OUT TRADITION Of NAVY
Only Did What Every American
Naval officer Would Have Done
Under Similar circumstances
Secretary of Navy Me.caIf Also
Adds His Word Of Praise.
tBy Associated Press.l

""SiiiNpiNN, " u, req. L.
In unequivocal terms, President
Roosevelt today approved of AID.
miral Davis entire action In con-
nection with his visit to Kingston,
Jamiaca, to render aid to the
stricken city. and In addition re-
Quested the Secretary of the Navy
to EXPRESS to Admiral Davis his
hearticst commentator of all that
he did. The long expected report
OF Admiral Davis of the circum.
stances leading to the withdrawal
Of the fleet from Kingston, reached
the Navy Department today and
was at once laid before the Presi.
dent. Inasmuch as the President
already has announced that the
diplomatic phase of the case is n
closed incident the report itself will
not be made public. but late today
Secretary Metcaif gave out the let
ter of Admiral Evans, commander
in chief OF the Atlantic fleet, warmly
commenting Admiral Davis for his
conduct in the situation, which
was, to say the least, somewhat
embarrassing"
The correspondence is supple
mented by a strong letter of COM
mendation of Admiral Davis by the
President and by Secretary Met.
calf who adds his approval and
recommendation Of Admiral Dav-
is distinguished service to hui
manity." The letters are as fol-
lows:
~. s. Flagship Maine, Guantana.
mo Bay. Cuba. Jan. 90. 1907.
Respectfully forwarded, approved,
to the Secretary of the Navy,
through the bureau of navigation.
The report and its appendices made
by officers who were on the spot
and they are best able to judge Sc,
forth the whole situation ve.y
clearly The commander in chief or
the Atlantic Fleet feels that he can
not too highly commend Rear A..
miral Davis for the very digniied
and mastery manner in which he
conducted a situation. which was
TO say tie least. somewhat embar-
acssing, and he deems 1t particularly
fortunate that there was at hand an
officer such as he TO deal with
the problems which arose.
The commander in chief heartily
approves the commendatory re-
marks relating TO the officers and
men of the ships who accompanied
Admiral Davis. but they did no
more than is expected of officers
ana men in the navy and no more
than would have been done by Of
ficers and men OF the other ships
OF the fleet and indeed the ships
sent were not chosen above those
II others of the fleet for any other
reason than that they were more
nearly ready for steaming, wnen the
news of tine disaster was received.
"R. D. EVANS.
Rear Admiral. U. s. Navy. Com.
mandcr in chief United States at.
lantic Fleet"
Presidents Letter.
The President to Secretary Metz
calf:
"The White House washington.
February 1, 1907. To the Secretary
of the Navy:
Il have read carefully the report
OF Admiral Davis submitted By Won
together with the report Of Admiral
Evans, commencing the actions Of
Admiral Davis at Kingston. re.
turn them herewith, and desire
you express to Admiral Davis INV
hcartiest commentator of all that
he did at Kingston.
i approve his entire action. He
upheld the best traditions of our
navy in thus rendering distinguish.
cd service to humanity.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT"
Metcaif to Davis.
Secretary Metcaff to Admiral
Davis
Sir: The department has care
ihiiy considered your report and
nose OF your subordinate officers.
ON the aid extended by your soma
dron to the distressed people of
Kingston. Jamaica, after the disas
trons earthquake and connagration
which visited that city The reports
with Admiral Evans endorsement
approving your actions and praising
your able performance of duty in