New-York tribune., 1909-05-24
SWETTENHAM "ABSURD'
Jomaica's GOrerROr General Thu,
.Stigmati1es His Predecessor.
,....s.t - b. - I3-,,tr-,.d cn-lranrl

rcoprriEht 1909 rs the Brentwood Conpany.l
Omen warfare has broken out between Sir Sydney
olivier the s5oe2 year Governor Of Jamaica,
srs his predecessor n office Sir Alexander SHet-
.snhau who is wildly remembered here in the
I-r9ted States owing his unfortunate misundeT
standing with the admiral in command of the
American squadron which had hastened 10 Jamaica
Immediately on receiving news OF the earthquake
,be-e in order bring relief the sufferers Sir
Alexander. who has been very honest and ener-
s-fc colonial administrator Of the wrong headed
tvpe set everybody by the ears in Jamaica where
his resignation consequent upon his controversy
with the American admiral. hailed with such
general satisfaction that every one was amazed
when he announced his determination Of settling
down AZ ST Andrews. which IS practically suburb
q Kingston. and OF making his home there It
Was predicted that he would soon fall foul Of his
successor who had been his colonial secretary, and
these prophecies have come TO pass, matters hav-
sng reached such stage that Sir sydney publicly
denounces Sir Alexander absurd. while Sir
Alexander IS even stin more vigorous and pictu-
rescue n his illusions to the Governor
S- Sydney IS familiar figure at Washington,
where he spent nearly a year about decade ago
IN connection with negotiations for reciprocity be
tween the United States and the West Indian col
o-ies. He IS not merely radical. but even a
socialist IN politics founded the Fabian Society
end makes secret of his opinion that unless the
British government takes some steps TO promote
the West Indian. and especially the Jamaican sugar
Industry ry vigorous action against the foreign
sugar bounty system. and by removing the duty
imposed by England Of more than dollar for
every hundredweight Of sugar landed either from
the West Indies or from elsewhere, The West Indian
Islands and especially Jamaica viii seek annexa-
tion 70 the United States. He lays stress the
fact that there IS very important and ever
growing party IN Jamaica favornE this annexation,
and Il Is IN agitation Of this party
which It's activity has inspired in the past I'm colo
Nal officials that must be sought the real explana-
riou Of the inner history of Sir Alexander Swetten
hams quarrel with the American admiral.
Sr y dney has written and spoken freely the
Subject Of socialism, both previous and subsequent
10 his admission to the colonial service without
any renonstranoe on the part of his chiefs, and IN
addition 90 his essays socialism has written
rumher of poems and parodies. his most remark
ahle work however. being his book white
Capital and Colored La bor.' issued of the
series q the Socialist Library which is edited
~ the Labor Member Of Parliament. Ramsay Mac
donald snd published 10y Jhe Independent Labor
party in London The book is an indirect condenl-
nation q the American treatment OF the negroes.
which he compares 10 lis disadvantage with the
condition of The colored race in Jamaica. agreeing
with Professor Josiah Royce. of Harvard. in his
assertion that the negro question in the American
Eeuse is substantially solved upon that island. He
points OUT that while the English in the West
Indies have demonstrated 10 the negro that they
ere his superiors they have not diuned II continu-
ally into his ears; they have not s1urred the black
into violent resistance by forever eXpati2tIng
o. Ills iuferiorirv Courtesy, Sir Sydney insists is
essential 10 the proper treatment Of the negro. and
h holds that the bad conduct of the latter in the
United States is due far more TO the attitude
which has been taken and which is maintained
toward him than 70 any inordinate fault in his
composition Insisteuc- on the neEro's inferI-
ortv prevents his sood qualities from getting a
far chance Of development and arouses his worst
passions in demonstration Of which he points out
that in the British West Indies attacks 10y black
or oolored men On white women and children are
absolutely unknown
knows how TO be very firm, and even autocrsde
on occasions and while acting Governor Of British
Honduras showed much energy and decision of
character in the suppression OF native disturbances
IA Wing hesitation whatsoever in ordering the
police and troops To fire upon the mob From Hon
dsras he was sent as colonial secretary by Joseph
chamberlain 10 reorEauize the official finances Of
Jamaica. which We're state OF chaos 50 eE-
ceIent was the work which he did there that when
Il became necessary TO fud successor TO Sir
Alexander SRet1euham he was selected for the
post, a. the unanimous request Of the Jamaicans,
indorsed IN this instance by all his official SD
Teriors at the Colonial Department in London He
has any number Of friends in this country, is
married 10 The daughter OF a Keuttsh County
Court judge. Is graduate Of oxford and shines
above everything else by his keen sense Of humoT
and by his wonderful tact. These have contributed
10 render him the most successful and popular ad-
rninistrRtor that the ancient colony Jamaica has
ever known The Office which he holds is one of
the blue ribbons Of the British colonial service.
IN view OF the fact that England IS a monarchicaI
country and that the Governor General is the per
eonsI repI Iesenrative Of the and Of the SOW
eregn. It Is altogether extraordinary and unique
that the Office should be held merely by pro-
uounced radical. but Icy processing and avowed
socialist.