The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1907-02-07
ADMIRAL DAVIS IS
WARMLY PRAISED
PRESIDENT APPROVES HIS CON
DUCT AT KINGSTON.
EVANS SUBMITS REPORT
Commanding Admiral and Secretary
MetcaIf Add Their Commentator
of the Naval Officers
Course.

Washington, Feb. 2.-In unequivo
cal terms President Roosevelt Friday
approved Admiral Davis entire action
in connection with his visit to Kings
ton, Jamaica, to render aid to the
stricken city, and in addition request
ed the secretary of the navy to ex
press to Admiral Davis his heartiest
commentator on all that he did.
The long expected report of AID
miral Davis of the circumstances lead
ing UP to the withdrawal of the feet
from Kingston reached the navy de
partment Friday and was at once laid
before the president. Inasmuch as
he already had announced that the
diplomatic phase is closed incident
the report itself will not be made
public, but late in the day Secretary
Metcalf gave out the letter of Ad
miral Evans, commander-in-chief OF
the Atlantic feet, warmly commend
ing Admiral Davis for his conduct OF
a situation (which was, to say the
least, somewhat embarrassing" The
admiral remarks further that 1t was
particularly fortunate that there was
at hand an officer such as Admiral
Davis to deal with the problem which
arose.
Hearty Approval by Evans.
The correspondence is supplement-
ed by a strong letter of commenda.
ton Of Admiral Davis by the presi.
dent and by Secretary Metcalf. who
adds his approval and commentator
service to humanity"
The letters are as follows:
United States Flagship Maine,
Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Jan. 20, 1907
Respectfully forwarded, approved
to the secretary of the navy, through
the bureau of navigation. the report
and its appendices made by the Of
ficers who were on the spot and there
fore best able to Judge, appear to set
forth the whole situation very clearly
THE commander-in-chief feels that
he cannot too highly commend AID
miral Davis for the very dignified
and mastery manner in which he
| conducted a situation which was, to
say the least, somewhat embarrass.
ing, and he deems it particularly for
tunate that there was at hand an Off
Ger such as he to deal with the prob
lens 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 and men in the
navy, and no more than would have
been done by officers and men of 9th
er ships of the feet, and indeed, the
ships sent were not chosen above
those of others of the fleet for any
other reason than that they were more
nearly ready for steaming when the
news of the disaster was received
r. D. Evans, rear admiral, United
States navy, commander-in-chief
United States Atlantic fleet"
Praise from President.
The president to Secretary Metcalf
"The White House, Washington
Feb. /, 1907.-To the Secretary OF the
Navy: I have read carefully the re
port Of Admiral Davis submitted by
you, together with the report of Ad
miral Evans commencing the actions
Of Admiral Davis at Kingston. 1 re
turn them herewith and desire that
you express to Admiral Davis my
heartiest commentator of all that he
did at Kingston. l approve his en-
tire action. He upheld the best ira
ditions Of our navy in thus rendering
distinguished service to humanity
Theodore Roosevelt"
Endorsed by Mr.. MetcaIf.
Secretary Metcalf to Admiral
Davis:
Navy Department, Washington
Feb. l, 1907.-Sir: The department
has carefully considered your report
and those of your subordinate officers
on the aid rendered by your squad
ron to the distressed people of Kings
ton, Jamaica, after the disastrous
earthquake and confagration which
visited that city. The reports, with
Admiral Evans Endorsement APPROX
Ing your actions and praising your
able performance of duty in the face
Of SO much confusion and difficulty
have been submitted to the president
"The president directs the depart
ment to express to you his heartiest
commentator of all you did at Kings
ton. In his note to the department
he states that you upheld the best
traditions of our navy in thus rem
dering distinguished service to hu
manity and approves your entire &C
lions. The department desires to ado
also its approval and commentator
Of your able service, and those of the
officers and men under your command
Very respectfully. w. H. Metcalf, SEQ
rotary"
Fight for Wyoming Wool.