The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1907-01-24
JAMAICA'S GOVERNOR
SPURNS AMERICAN AID
Protests Against Marines Land
ing and Says People Can Take
Care OF Themselves.
SUPPLIES ARE HELD UP
Admiral counternrands Presidents Or.
der, Owing to Governors Attitude
Distress in City is wide-
spread.

washington. ID. C.. Jan. a-.-Aeohk
secretary OF State Bacon last night.
hen shown the dispatch from Kings
,on regarding Governor Swettenham's
s,,I,ude toward Rear Admiral Davis.
xho went to Kingston with two battle
ships. a cruiser and torpedoboat de-
,truyer to administer aid To the Stick
a people ut once declared II was not
,r,e lie declared the newspapers were
irving TO make trouble between Ad-
| Tnirai Davis and Governor swettenham.
There IN no truth In IT," he said.
.mphatically. II know what am talk
lng about. There Is not the slightest
ki,d of trouble or foundation for IL In
sny why, shape or manner. The ships
have not sailed. I know exactly what
| happened" and repeated. there IN no
| foundation for II I'm any manner. This
"a perfectly straight. IL you are look
ing for the facts these are the facts"
Mr.. Bacon would not disclose the
source OF his Information, but Indicated
q possibility Of official advices.
Kingston, Jamaica. Jan. 23.-Rear
Admiral Davis mission OF mercy To
stricken Kingston has come To an
abrupt and painful conclusion In con-
sequence OF Governor Swettenham's OBJ
lection TO the presence OF American
sailors engaged In the work OF clearing
the streets. guarding property and sue
coring the wounded and sick, culmi-
mating In n letter To- the admiral. per-
emptorily requesting him to re-embark
all parties which had been landed.
Admiral Davis was greatly shocked
and pained. and paid n formal visit TO
Governor Swettenham Saturday. In
forming him that the United States
battleships Missouri and Indiana and
the gunboat Yankton would sail that
afternoon.
Declines All American Aid.
To the Associated Press aAdmiral
Davis said that Immediate comliance
with Governor Swettenhams request
was tho only course consistent with
the dignity OF the United States. The
friction between the governor and the
admiral began with the arrival OF tho
American warships. when the governor
objected TO the firing OF salute In his
honor on the ground that the citizens
might mistake the firing for q new
earthquake.
He also declared there was no ne
cessity for American aid--that his own
government was fully able TO preserve
order, tend To the wounded and succor
the homeless.
Rear Admiral Davis. however. land
ed parties OF blueJackets who pa
troled tho streets, cleared the debris.
razed ruins, attended many OF the
wounded and won the highest praise
from citizens and military officers for
excellent work.
Adrnlraps Letter to Governor.
on tho afternoon OF the salute in
cldent Rear Admiral Davis wrote
Governor Swettenham as follows:
NY Dear Governor: i beg you 20 accept
my apology for the mistake or tho salute
this afternoon. My order was misunder-
stood and tho disregard OF your wishes
Atfa IA uniQfaEa I'm tho transmission
OF my order. 1 trust the apparent disre-
gard OF your wishes will be overlooked.
landed working parties from both
streets and buildings. and purpose landing
parties tomorrow for the same purpose un-
less you expressly do not desire II.
way OF assistance TO private individuals
without interfering with the forces OF
yourself and tho government OF the island.
T. rene Sn SUCH S02 sssissanc. as cam trust
that you will justify mo In this matter for
the cause OF common humanity.
had Ssd9l 81 SIX b %e arcsSe, ss
United States consulate, together with a
party Of ten clearing away tho wreckage.
This party. after finishing IL work at the
consulate, assisted n working party TO
catch thieves. recovering from them a
safe taken from q tewelry store valued
az 1900 From this I Judge that the po-
for the protection OF private proparty..
Actuatcd by the same motive. namely.
common humanity. I shall direct the med.
s S ,S ala q ds. 70 scs
haps DO not como under the observation
Of your medical officers.
shall have pleasure In meeting you n
tiers house, i trust you approve OF my &C
ton in this matter Your obedient ser
want c. u. Davis
Gets a Chilly Reply.
Governor SwettonhAm responded Friday
Dear Admiral: Thanks very much for
your letter. your kind call and all the
most heartily appreciate the very gener-
GUS Offers OF assistance, ! feel IL my duty
90 ask you 10 re-embark the working party
and all parties which your Kindness
prompted you 10 land.
II .n consideration for the vice consul's
assiduous attentions 10 hts family at his
country house the American consulate
needs guarding. I'm your opinion. although
he was present and IL was not guarded an
hour ago. have no objection to your de.
failing a force for tho sale purpose OF
guarding, but the party must have no IRE
arms and nothing more offensive than
clubs or slaves for this function.
ind your working party was this
morning helping Mr.. crosswell clean bis
store. Crossweil was delighted that the
work was done withou. cost. IL your
excellency should remain long enough
am sure almost all the private owners
would be- glad OF the services OF tho navy
60 save expense.
II Is no longer a question OF humanity
all the dead died days ago. and tho work
Of giving them burial Is merely one OF
convenience.
would be glad TO accept delivery OF thu
safe which II IN alleged thieves had pos
session Of The American vice consul has
no knowledge OF II, tho store IS close &c
a sentry post, and the officer OF tho posi-
processes ignorance OF tho incident.
believe the police surveillance OF th'
city IN adequate for tho protection OF pri
yate property. 1 may remind your cN
Ccllency that not long ago IL was discov'
cred that thieves had lodged In and Pill
LACED the residence OF some New Yerk mil
EOnaige during his absence Ia tho summer
si~nsn~0rH - nIIr NAllnrc.