Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-10-31
DAMAGE TO SEALERS.
The Canadians Claim Much More
Than They May Recover.
The Question Likely to Be Left to 4 Mixed
Convention

Washington, Oct. 30.-The convention
which Secretary Olney and the British
! ambassador, Sir Julian Pauncefote. will
frame, looking to the payment of damage.
to Canadian vessels seized in Behring sea
as provided in the Paris award, will pro
vide, it is believed, for a mixed commits
sion to assess the amount due.
by the eighth article of the Behring ses
treaty it was provided that the United
States and Great Britain, having found
themselves unable to agree upon the ques
ton of the liability of each for the njuriei
alieged to have been sustained by the
other or by it's citizens, do agree thai
either may submit to the arbitrator any
question of act involved in said claims
and ask for finding thereon the question
of the liability of either government upor
the facts found to be thesubject Of further
negotiation.
The questions of fact were submitted tt
the arbitrators. and the finding wa:
against the United States This left the
amount of damage to be paid subject t.
further negotiation, which is now being
had. When this subject was under con
sideration a gear ago between the late
Secretary Gresham and Sir Julian Paunce
fote, it was decided that the better method
of settlement would be through a commits
sion.
But differences arose as to the phrase
ology to be used in establishing the com
mission, and, as q short cut to settle
ment, it was suggested that the United
States should pay lump sum of 1925, 00C
as damages, without going into details
II of taI : Lo< %l,o+ ~,
gress would make the appropriation
Congress however, declined to do so, or
the ground that the amount of damage
proposed WAS excessive.
If a mixed commission is formed it will
consist of two members, one on the part
of the United States and the other repre-
senting her majesty's government. Theil
sessions will be held in Victoria, British
Columbia, where all the evidence con
nected with the seizures in past years has
been collected.
Should the commissioners fail to agree
upon the amount of damages, they will be
permitted, under the terms of the conven
ton, to choose a third member. Theil
findings cannot be set aside by the House,
but the treaty providing for the commits
sion must first be ratified by the Senate.
Sir Charles Upper, the Canadian minis
ter of justice, and Sir Mckenzie Bowel,
the Canadian premier, who We're invited
by Sir Julian to be present during the
framing of the convention, are in the city.
They will remain at the British embassy
as the guests of Sir Julian, Some mis-
understanding seems to exist as to the
nature of their functions o..
They are here in purely advisory capa
city. 1t is the desire of her majesty's gov
eminent that the convention shall be en-
tirely acceptable to Canada. For this rea-
son the two Canadians are present to be
consulted by Sir Julian whenever ques-
lions arise upon which it may be desirable
to learn the temper of the Canadian gov
eminent.
Practically they will have no connection
with the convention, The preparation of
which is delegated solely to Secretary
Olney and the British ambassador. 1t is
expected that the convention will be com
pleted by Saturday, as the near approach
of Congress make speedy action necessary.
1t will be sent to the Senate for ratiflca-
ton Immediately upon the reassembling
Of Congress.