Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1907-01-21
BRITAIN KEENI.N REGRETS
UNFORTUNATE RICTION

NJ OtNi NstI T. 4 IAlA 1IoN
London. Jan. 20.-There Is a feeling
of deepest regret here over the un-
fortunate incident that led TO the hur-
lied departure of the American war
ship from Kingston,
Il being sunday and the news ar
rived late tonight the fact became
known to comparatively small see
/ tion of the public. and the official
world, but everywhere the greatest as
/ tunlshment was expressed
Neither the admiralty nor the for
elgn office had amy news of the Incl
dent except that derived from tho
press dispatches and the inclination
on az sides was To withhold an eN-
preston of official opinion until hear
ing from the governor Meantime the
Kingston dispatches giving the corre-
spondenCe exchanged between Gov
eruor SWettcnham and Rear Admiral
Davis are being read with eager inter-
est. The incident occurred at mo-
ment when the British press and pub
lie are loud in an expression of CRATE
lul recognition of the prompt and
generous assistance the United States
rendered, when it was, impossible. oW-
ing to their distance from the scene
for British Warships to go to the res
cue.
The important question as to
whether the British authorities at
Kingston were in position to main-
tain order appears to be debatablc
General SWcttenhamS claim of ability
to do so is i'm marked contrast to the
accounts of the many British press
correspondents who recorded numer,
Gus cases of disorder. but on the other
hand. some OF the correspondents
averred that no serious disorders took
place.
What seems much less debatab!e ia
that GoVerapr SWettenham acted en-
thely on his own initiative. The last
dispatch of the secretary for the colo
nies, Lord Elgin, to Governor SWetten-
ham, which was dated January is
gave the governor fun liberty of ac-
tiOn. 1t was as follows:
You will know that | fully appre-
cite the courage and hrmness with {
which YOU and your government are ,
facing this great disaster, and that ! /
do not wish to trouble you with tele- /
graph instructions or fetter your dis /
crction."
1t is not believed the governor sent /
any substitute instructions modifying /
this attitude.
As a possible explanation Of Governor /
Swettenham' action, it is suggested /
that he may have acted under the (
strain Of nervous excitement through /
being oVerWrought by his recent pain
Tul experiences.
Comment of London Newspapers.
The morning newspapers all regard |
the incident eliminating in the with
irawal Of the American Warships .
from Kingston as most unfortunate
and regreulble, but several of them
refrain from speaking edHoltaily,
pending further information, evidently
neing deSirous To carefully avoid any
hing calculated in the slightest to jeo-
)ardize the friendly feeling between
he United states and Great Britain.
rhey, however. reiterate expressions
If gratitude for the invaluable service
If the American surgeons and landing
larty.
Believes Governor Was Unstrung.
The Times finds no excuse except
hat he was uustrung by he terrible
vents, for the tone OF Governor SWEET
enham's reply to the courteous letter
+ Rear Admira Davis. 1t says
This lamentable close of mis-
ion, conceived in so admirable a spirit
f international good viii, certainly
viii not lessen the gratitude of the un-
ortunate colony and of Englishmen
he world over to Rear Admiral Davis
nd his bluejackets, or to the Ameri-
an government"
Kingston People Protest.
According to the Daily MATHS King
ton correspondent the people of the {
lWn are wildly protesting against the I
'ithdraWal of the Americans as there !
still great need Of food and sun {
reater need of medical aid This cor I
espondent relates that il was at the /
equest OF the governors duly author a
.ed subordinate that American ma ,
Ines were landed to qucn the disor- {
ers In the city Governor SWetten- /
am repudiated his deputy's action. a
he correspondent SAYS Governor SWEET +
,nham bases his own action on that +
the American government after the
an Francisco disaster He adds that n
the heated final Interview between f
overnor Swettenham and Rear Ad- +
Iiral Davis the governor intimated
lat the admiral wanted to gain an 1
nfair amount Of credit n
DcoIOrablc Blnnder
The Daily Mail frankly describes the
cident as "a "deplorable bmnder ON 4,
Ie part OF Governor Swettenham." +
nd saws he dealt with the situation i'm
o altogether wrong frame Of mind h
nd compromised the credit of his n
,untry i'm so doing n
Hints at Uystcria. q,
1T was situation 90 try the stout +,
t nerves" the Mail continues. "and ~
M allowance must De made for the /;
,udition i'm which the governor found p,
mSelf 1t cannot be- TOO plainly un- m
.rstood that IT was "a humiliating ex- n
.rience for "A British colony to be n
,mpelled to seek foreign assistance. a.