The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-01-22
LONDON GRATEFUL
FOR ASSISTANCE
CONTINUED FROM PAGE l.,


and for which 1 and they thank and bless
you"
Admiral Davis replied, thanking the
mayor for his expression of approval of
the services of his officers and men, say
ing
"As a foreign naval officer Lam bound
to respect the wishes and requirements
of the supreme authority of the island.
Without Explanation.
London, January 21.-The colonial Of
flee is still without explanation from Sir
Alexander Swettenham, governor Of
Jamaica, of the situation which led 10
the withdrawal of Rear Admiral Davis
warships from Kingston on Saturday.
The silence although irritating to tho
government. is construed as good sign
that this much-regretted affair is capable
of amicable adjustment, and will not
lead to any disturbance of the friendly
relations between the United States and
Great Britain.
1t Is supposed that if Governor SWEET
tenham had any reasonable justification
for his extraordinary letter to Rear Adj
miral Davis he would not delay in pac
ing his government in possession of the
facts, therefore his silence is regarded
as confession of the weakness of his case,
or an evidence of compunction at hav-
ing adopted an inadvisable course. In
this light the governors telegram asking
the British government to convey to the
government of the United States the
thanks of the nation for the assistance
rendered by Rear Admiral Davis, as
sumes considerable Importance, and For
eign Secretary Sir Edward Grey, in for
warding this message to washington
with the thanks of the imperial govern
ment well expresses the feeling of the
fi.1., hi G h
Ject.
Furthermore, War Secretary Haldane,
on behalf of the war office, has taken
quite an unusual course and one indica-
tive of the exceptional Importance OF
the occasion by addressing dispatch to
Secretary Root which indirectly implies
censure of the governor of Jamaica. IL
will thus be seen that practically all
the ministers are adopting a highly ao-
preciative attitude toward the United
States, and 1t cannot be doubted that the
il cdent will be settled probably by the
recall of Governor Swettenham, or at
least by disavowal of his action and apol-
ogy to Rear Admiral Davis.
While the foreign office is naturally
reluctant in the absence of fuller in
formation to pass judgment on the al
fair, officials of the foreign office do not
hesitate in agreeing that under no COLI
ceivable circumstances should such let
ter as the one from Governor Swetten-
ham to Rear Admiral Davis been writ
ten, and they declare that even the
stress of recent events is no excuse Tor
such language on, the part of govern
ment official to an officer of friendly
nation, engaged in a work of humanity.
London Papers.
London, January 22.-All the morning
a., ,f,,A nm a
Kingston incident, which they regard as
already virtually settled, at any rate,
they say, the tension of the crisis has
been relieved by the admirably toned
dispatches exchanged between the gov
eriments of Great Britain and the United
States. While full allowance Is made for
the exceptional circumstances which may
have accounted for Governor Swetten-
hams ruffled feelings, the newspapers
are unanimous in censuring strongly the
tone of his letter absolutely wrong and
uncaled for, and this in spite of the
fact that the papers recognize that Rear
Admiral Davis also may have been some
what blameworthy.
Gable Governor.
London. January 21.-After conferences
today between officials of the foreign
officers and of the colonial office. the
latter cabled TO Governor Swettenham
asking him his version of the situation
which led to the withdrawal of Rear
Admiral Davis warships from Kingston
Saturday. Nothing had been received
from the governor concerning any phase
of the incident and his reply to the spe-
ciic 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 par
ticulars through the press. In the alb
sence of foreign Secretary Grey the Sc
nior secretary of the foreign office i'm
mediately went to the colonial office and
there suggested the propriety of securing
the governors statement without delay,
as it was felt that the incident might
cause irreparable injury to the friendly
relations between the two governments II
not promptly explained. When they were
shown Assistant Secretary of State Ba-
cons statement, cabled from Washing
ton to the effect that the authorities had
no Information regarding the departure
of the American warships from Kingston.
they were somewhat relieved, but still
they were disturbed over the situation.
ut Is unexplainable." said an ofhciai
of the foreign office to the Associated
Press
'If it was not for Governor Swetten-
hams letter, which is so fun or lnconsist-
ences. it would be impossible to pc
lieve that he has taken such action; l
am sure no one can regret 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
Hard to Justify.
Swettenham has always been considered
to be an excellent governor. It Is hard