Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-01-25
ACTED WISELY.
Continued from Page One)

rotary and the inspector of police who
spoke for tha governor. the governor
being absent from the city ana ut tn
Kingston House, 80 men were landed
under arms from the Indiana to
overaw the mutiny at the penitentiayy
containing 500 Or coo prisoners
Admiral Davis then proceeded by
carriage to visit the governor at Kings
House and found him living with his
family IL tents ana was accompanied
back to the city by the governor. That
same afternoon upon request OF the
governor the men Were withdrawn
from shore ana returned to their ships.
The action Of Admiral Davis ii
landing, under the circumstances j.
not without precedent there being
numerous cases 10 justify It ard as an
incident, a copy Of report by Admiral
r. d. Meade. t. s. n. in landing men
at Port OF Spain. Trinidad March !.
1885 to suppress a fire ana letter by
the governor Of the island Of Trinidad
expressing his gratitude fer the action.
is shown herewith.
The letter of Admiral Mead, shows
that he landed 100 men from the flag
ship New York and 80 men each from
the Raleigh ana commenced 10 fight
the fire before he had been asked Tor
assistance by the governor of Trinidad.
The governor afterward wrote Admiral
Meade as follows:
Sir: l beg you to accept TIL best
thanks of this government for the
prompt and most valuable assistance
rendered by YOU at the disastrous fire
which occurred Yesterday in Port OF
Spain.
''2-The large body cf men which Nv,
sent ashore under Lieut.. Commander
swift and Other officers worked most
CALAMITY and admirably in situations
often Of considerable danger ana If Il
greatly owing to their intlefatiuahIe
cXe"t!ons that the fire was not more cx
t"nSiVe than it was and that much
valuable property was saved. II viii
DC my pleasing duty to report in this
case to Her Majesty's government.
81 trust that no member of the
force landed has received any ini,;ry
ahd l shall be obliged if you will allow
TINS government to make good the
value Of any damage to clothing or
equipment.
IL shall be glad if you will convey
to Lieut. Commander Swift and to the
other officers and to the petty officers
and mon Of the force landed NY sense
of appreciation If the splendid assist-
ance which they rendered and OF
which | was a witness.
81 beg to assure YOU that this
II lNa
the people of Port Of Spain and the
colony generally. and that our APP
probation Of it is much enhanced ~
the fact that the assistance came from
vessels Of the United States navy.
Your most obcdient servant.
II. Napier, Broome, Governor.
The departments statement con.
tinucs.
The presence Of the vessels Of thu
Atlantic fleet ut the naval station.
Guantanamo, only 13o mites from
Kingston. at the time or the earthuuake
placed US in the position for giving
quickly first aid to the sufferers. ana
our own eXperiente in tn san Francis
co earthquake ana fire of last April
showed clearly the need OF
sufficient police protection and
the great benefits which re-
suit from use Of naval force in such
an emergency. The communicative
chief acted promptly under Tie circum-
stances and S"Ht Immediately thoa.
vessels having the largest number OF
men and Cn?lias 10 aid the sufferers
ana offered SUCH help in the way 81
medical attention and food as lay in
his power: which action was further
helped by the Department dispatchinc
two store ships laden with large olar-
titles of food supplies intended for tn4
feet and which were diverted from this
duty and dispatched to Kingston
After the men We're withdrawn from
shore ana returned 20 their snips 4
telegram was received from the briga-
der general. commanding the army OF
paCification to Cuba
Secretary Metcalf here quotes Gov
MagoOn's statement thai tents had
been sent from Cuba to Kingston upon
the request Of the acting British min
istcr and continues:
AT the time Of the above ,r7ontio7,o
request by the acting English minister
at Havana for tents for the sufferers AT |
Kingston Admiral Davis had on board
the vessels under his command. then in
Kingston harEor and for several d1vs
prior thereto many Of the tents asked
for and which We're available for use
and had the governor desired than,
and. with the remaining ships at Guam
tanacHo with more than 200 tents
many more than was actually needed
To surpiy the wants. Ill of which couI1 |
have been obtained by Admiral Davis
from Admiral Fans upon request ~
wireless telegraph.