The Wichita daily eagle., 1897-12-24
AWARD FOR SEALING sErzURrs
As Always, the Unite States Ge,- 'h
Worse Of g.,

Washington, Dec. 23.-The findings Of
the British-American commission,
chosen TO assess the damages for seiZ-
ures of British ships in Bering sea, have
been received by the state department
and the British enoassy. The strictest
rsticence is maintained. however. on
the general character OF the finding.
though it is admitted that the award
against the United States is $464, 900.
which includes principal and interest.
separate statement OF the award di
viied into principal and interest is re-
fused at this time. In order 10 avoid
misrepresentation, It should be under
stood that the finding against this gov
eminent is no surprise, that being cer-
tainty under the finding OF the Paris
court of arbitration that the United
States had no right 10 close Bering sea
against foreign ships TIE internation-
al commissions only duty was 10 as
sess the amount OF the damages. The
amount allowed is considered to some
extent vindication of the state depart
ment. which had eought to settle the
question without a commission for Si25.-
900. The award now made exceeds this
sum considerably and besides This there
VIII be the expense OF the arbitration
and also the possible establishment Of
some unfortunate precedents as to the
obligation Of the United States 10 pay
estimated or prospective damages
The controversy has occupied the an
tention of the authorities mere and in
Z g afa A.
the outset the tone OF the controversy
was very belligerenS. suggesting a posi-
bic resort to arms. This was following
the seizure by the United States steam
er Corwin OF the British sealers Caro-
lena and Thornton on August ], 1885.
The facts of the seizure were not known
until some time later and I'm the mean
time the Corwin had taken the Onward
and Favourite. The same policy OF
seizure and confscation occurred during
the next sealing seasons, despite the
protests OF Great Britain. tine United
States ship Richard Rush taking the
Sayward. Grace. Anna Peck. Dolphin.
Alfred Adams. Triumph. Juniata. Path
finder. Black Diamond. Lilly Ariel sni
Kate and Minnie, while the United
States cutter Bear took the Ada.
The claims for these seizures took a
wide range, beginning with the value
of the vessels and outfits and including
not only tie value ot sealskins oonfs-
Gated but also the value % skins whicf1
m ght have been taken il the ships nad
not been seized. This last feature ~
prospective damage caused the main
contention. In the case of eacb British
ship the largest item Of the claim vas
for estimates future catcn. For in
stance. in the case % t1e Carolen. the
claim for tae snip xas only $500 while
that FIR skins which might have been
taken that year II sae nad nor been
seized vas s1s.O01. Each snip esiiulss-
ei a prospective eaten q from $500 -
:. 600 skins. the value being from q - !
per skin in lss7 Ia sl2zs IN fsse Ire +
total Of the claims xita9ut interest
amount % S4s9. ls1 an5 wi-1 interest a. /
7 per cent and otner charges tie total /
rescded S78s1ss.
The only official statement that could /
Be secured here o. the tudgmert reached /
by ;hs commissioners Is contained in ne I
following announcement given ca. a. I
the state department this aferDoon:
The award of the BsrinE sea claims 4
commission has been flied n the depart 4
ment % state The claims presen,e I'd BY 4
tt1e British government % the couusls-
sion an account of Canadian vesssis ssiz-
"a IN Bering sea sZats9. KIN inter
ast. q. so 60 These lnclu5ef. under the
claims treaty. several cases 10. ern5Tac-
- IN the settlement p-2pos-i - Secrs-
.s-y GTeshan Tbe swari nox mafe
amounts 70 tzss ~ o. - Talca Is 20 -
ssas3 intsreE mat zlH increase Re ;0;al
! bout 20 1e- cent TIE award ss aral
Ard dls2oses % all cases before g. Pay.
nsnt under ire treaty must Be made
xirain SIX n-5alhs-
The Department. ofHciats. {. = assumes.
VII proceed a. once . prepare a sll o.
h arsen3uen; % one q the reRBs1r so-
s-0o-1stion osiis. s0r s1b-nass. "a - con
sTess. oovering TIE n@cs=ssry s2oc0orls-
lt5on = Pay the Judgments. f5s. b<3ax
Dou-1 - treaty uot only . ray so1x-
nsnts rendered. bu. % pay them pre-z9gt-
y. t1s govern unsent t. - aonrr bo1ad 20
axe ~ remaining s-e7E tozzr3 = So
iezneut II ssoTt 5cssr.
Tsere = iittie 3o8bt "a ~ Cals~s
sts.es carrss1 80 y0s1f oa ts< Dssn
I1@Stlcn involved. vixs ~ - tar rszaf
], pros5~r ive Ss1aszz. Evs8~n.'y ih1se
~ s-ale1 soH8 - ar iuslxusa1sns [.
.meua; O. r-geetsf en-trsfy Whi5s ths
.eps -r-ea -s-tais 49, r.ske - A.
.o1r.-s-uere - fnls e5ess fnf3aaaslasss }
- gives tazs t5s s-1zl.ssss ., ths ssss3 4
.-selas@4 re asss5s.lgT = anF allsN-
ncs o@inK -szzde On scasgns - srfss ss-ssf-
-. a.-n.~na T. AI.s.....a ..lLa.x - j /.