The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-03-13
GRESHAM AND BRITISH CLAIMS.
His Regret Over the Failure to Grant
Exorbitant Damages.

iiiiduclpIlid ITtSS
That was a remarkable revelation of
Secretary Gresham's peculiar diplomacy
which came to us by way of the British
a. House of Commons q day or two ago.
of the Foreign Office, recited the history
of the negotiations respecting the payment
and then said that Secretary Gresham had
expressed deep regret at the unfortunate
delay which had taken place in discharging
the obligations of the United States
What business had Secretary Gresham to
make any such expression? With what
propriety does he communicate to the Brit
ish government an implied censure on Con-
gress? BY what right does he assume
tone of apology respecting an attitude
deliberately taken in defense of American
interests? And with what fitness do we
first hear from a British official in the Brit
ish Parliament that our American Secretary
is pronouncing the American attitude and
action unfortunate"
Without going into minute details the
essential and conclusive facts of this case
can be easily graSped. Under the Paris
arbitration our government is bound to
compensate for damages sustained through
the seizure of British sealers during the
Boring sea controversy. The amount of
compensation and the method of determin-
ing it were left to be arranged between the
United States and Great Britain The total
claims submitted by Great Britain amount
ed to $542 1859 26. But this amount included
prospective profits or speculative damages.
A large proportion was based not upon
actual damages, but upon estimates of inn
there had been no interruption 1t was
based upon probable CATCH, estimated
catch and other contlngent ana fanciful
were purely speculative. An analysis of the
schedule shows that of the total amount
$500 900 was on account of these claims for
indirect and consequential damages, leav-
ing only 500, 900 due, according to the claim
ants themselves, for actual damages. This
amount would be still further reduced by
the additional fact that a very considera-
BILE proportion of the property seized be-
longed in reality to American citizens. And
yet, in the face of these facts Secretary
Gresham proposed, without any investiga-
ton or review, to pay lump sum of $425.-
900 in settlement of the claims-a sum more
than 5000 above the actual damages
clamed-and, of course, the British gov
eminent eagerly accepted this remarkably
Happily, Mr. Gresham's proposition re-
quired the assent of Congress, and Congress
upon full discussion with a clear statement
of facts, refused it's assent. 1t was amazing
that the Secretary should enter into an
and established the precedent of consequent
ial damages. That principle had been dis
tinctly rejected in the Geneva arbitration.
liabilities. 1t is fruitful of dangers. and
could not be admitted without entailing
untold consequences. Indeed, all claims of
this character were distinctly barred by the
agreement between Great Britain and the
United States before the tribunal of arbi-
tration Congress rightly refused to sane
ton a proposed settlement which embraced
this distinct wrong and this dangerous pre-
IL. Il
nished sufficient justification for the rejec-
ton of the agreement, and when it became
plain that the sum offered by Mr.. Gresham
was greatly in excess of any just indebted
ness the duty of Congress was clear.
The rejection of the agreement leaves the
question to be determined by some other
method Mr. Gresham was bound to accept
the decision of Congress and was bound to
present the attitude of our country with
dignity and honor 1t is humiliating to find
him making explanations to the British
Foreign Office in terms which imply CEN
ttrDr,p an n orr
ment, and information of this unworthy posi-
ton of the American Secretary through an
official expression in Parliament. Mr..
Gresham had no business to use such lam
guage as he employs in speaking of the
"unfortunate delay in discharging the OBJ
legations of the United States. The delay
comes through his own unjustifiable action.
He therefore can carry his head high and
swagger and jest where a more human
criminal would be trembling with fear and
remorse. Such men as he are of the type
of moral monsters against whom society is
never safe until death cuts short their
career and terminates their almost infinite
capacity for evil deeds.