Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1907-01-24
REFUSED OUR HELP
Governor Of jamaica Ordered AdmL
raj Davis to Remove All Landing
Parties From Kingston.
NO ASSISTANCE WANTED
Officers American Battieshlps Obliged
70 Cease Efforts TO Relieve Die
tress Of Stricken People and
Sail Away.

Kingston, jamaica, Jan. 12.-Real
Admiral Davis mission Of mercy Il
stricken Kingston came to an abrup
and painful conclusion in consequence
OF Gov. Swettenham's objection
TO the presence Of American sailors
engaged in the work Of clearing the
streets, guarding property and sue
eoring the wounded and sick, culmin
ating in a letter to the admiral per
emptorarily requesting MIN to reem
bark all parties which had been land
cd,
Admiral Davis was greatly shocked
and panied, and paid formal visit
20 Gov. Swettenham Saturday inform.
lng him that the United States battle
ships Missouri and Indiana and the
gunboat Yankton would sail Saturday
afternoon.
To the Associated Press Admiral Da-
Wis said that Immediate compliance
with Gov. swertenham's request was
the only course consistent with the
dignity Of the United States.
The friction between the governor
and the admiral began with the arrival
Of the American warships, when the
governor objected to the firing of a
salute in his honor on the ground that
the citizens might mistake the firing
for a new earthquake. He also de-
eolared there was no necessity for
American aid-that his government
was fully able to preserve order, tend
the wounded and succor the home.
less.
Rear Admiral Davis, however, land.
ed parties of blue Jackets, who pa
trolled the streets, cleared the de-
bris, RACED ruins, attended many Of
the wounded and won the highest
praise from citizens and military Off
GERS for excellent work.
On the afternoon Of the salute incl
dent, Rear Admiral Davis wrote Gov.
ernor Swettenham as follows:
''My Dear GOVERNOR
II beg you to accept my apology for
the mistake Of the salute this after
noon. My order was misunderstood
and the disregard Of your wishes was
due to a mistake in the transmission
Of my order. l trust the apparent dis
regard Of your wishes will be over.
looked.
'I landed working parties from both |
ships today to aid In clearing the var
lous streets and buildings, and purpose
tanning parties tomorrow for the same
purpose unless you expressly do not
desire It, thing a great deal may
be done In the way of assistance to
private individuals without interfer
Ing with the forces of yourself and
me government officials. As the only
object Of my being here Is to render
such assistance as l can, | trust you
viii Justify me In this matter for the
cause Of common humanity.
"T held n natro, NJ civ man aahora
TODAY IN s,,ard md secura tho arch.
lvea Of the United states consulate
together with a party Of ten clearing
away wreckage. This party after
finishing its work at the consulate
assisted working party to catch
thieves, recovering from them safe
taken from q jewelry store, valued at
$1,000. From this l Judge that the
police surveillance OF the city Is In
deQuate for the protection of private
property.
"Actuated by the same motive,
lamely, common humanity, shall
irect the medical officers of my
quadron to make all efforts to aid
asses Of distress which perhaps do not {
ONE under the observation of your
MEDICAL officers. ]
Il shall have pleasure in meeting I
GU at the hour appointed, 10 a. M, {
/ Headquarters house. !
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