The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1907-01-24
A Mission or Mercy Abruptly Ended.


tive of Jamaica, and Rear Admiral
Davis, in coUpand of the American
warships SEM 80 Kingston by order
of the Washington authorities for hui
name purposes.
According to cable reports from
the Associated Press correspondent
and correspondents of English news
papers at Kingston, Admiral Davis
of the battleships Missouri and In
diana and the gunboat Yankton
sailed Saturday afternoon, the Brit
ish Governor having peremptorily or
dered the Admiral to re-embark the
bluejackets landed to guard the ruins
of the American consulate and assist
in keeping order.
The British Governor objected to
the firing of salute by the American
warships in his honor and declared
that there was no need for American
aid
Correspondence passed between
the Governor and the Admiral, in
which the former insultingly Ques-
toned the veracity and the motives
Of the American officer and peremp-
torily ordered him to re-embark his
men.
The Admiral then called on the
Governor. and when the Britisher
purposely kept him waiting he told
the Governors aide TO inform the
Governor that as he did not desire
American aid the Admiral had coun-
termanded President RoOsevelt's or
der dispatching a supply ship with
food for the relief of sufferers.
brief meeting followed between
the Governor and the Admiral, in
which the former was very sarcastic
in his farewell remarks.
Admiral Davis says the Governor
was unequal to the task of relieving
distress. The conditions are deplor-
able.
Citizens OF Kingston suggest that
the Governor be asked to resign.
Some cOnstrue the Governors ac-
ton IS inspired by resentment OF
President Roosevelt's attitude toward
jamaican negroes on the Panama
Canal.
In an official report Rear Admiral
Davis says the Jamaican authorities
declined his offer to land wrecking
parties, but that later. by request,
he landed bluejackets to prevent mu-
tiny at the penitentiary, but these
were withdrawn.
Up to a late hour the Washington
officials said they had received no ad-
vices confirming the Associated Press
correspondent report, and Acting
Secretary of State Bacon declared
emphatically it was not true and that
the ships had not sailed.
Washington (SpeciaD The State
Department late Monday afternoon
received the following telegram from
London under Mondays date:
Hon. Elihu Root, Secretary of State,
Washington:
Have read in newspapers this
morning what purports to be a let
ter from the Governor of Jamaica.
Can only say that on materials be-
fore me l entertain, as responsible
for troops in the island, feeling of
deep gratitude to American Admiral
for generous assistance rendered at
most critical time.
(Signed) HALDANE,
Secretary of State for War, London.
To- this. the following reply was
sent:
Haldane, Secretary OF State for War,
London:
The President greatly appreciates
your cordial telegram and is glad
if the proximity of this country has
made it possible to be of the slight
est assistance to the stricken people
of Jamaica in this crisis. If, be-
cause of this proximity, and pending
the arrival of your own warships
and transports we can render any
further aid whatever, the President
earnestly hopes you will call on him
without hesitation. We know how
cheerfully you would render such
aid to us were the circumstances re-
versed.
(Signed) BACON,
Acting Secretary of State.
Havana (By Cable) Rear Ad-
miral Evans, in a wireless message
10 the. cruiser Columbia here, states
that a huge tidal wave has changed
the coast line of Jamaica. leaving
the entire south side of Kingston
under water. No bay is reported
left. and the whole coast line is re-
ported sinking.