The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-12-24
SEAL CLAIMS TO BE SETTLED.
AWARD OF THE COMMISSION FILED
AT WASHINGTON.

StO4,VDO-lhe Government BOunu
by the Treaty TO Pay the Claim
PrOmptly-COnEress Expected 10
Vote the Necessary Appropriation
Promptly.
Washington, Dec. 23.-The finding of the
British-AmeIican commission chosen to as
sess the damages for seizures of British
ships in Bering sea, has been received by
the state department and the British en-
bassy. The strletest secrecy is maintained,
however, on the general character of the
finding. though ii is admitted that the to-
tai awards against the United States is
$46i, COO which includes principal and inter-
est. A special statement of the award di-
vided into principal and interest is refus-
ed at this time.
In order to avoid Misrepresentation 1t
should be understood that the finding
against this government is no surprise,
1t being certainty under the finding of
the Paris court Of arbitration that the
United STATES had no right to close Ber-
ing sea against foreign ships. The in
ternational commissions only duty was to
assess the amount OF damages. The amount
allowed is considered to some extent a
Vindication Of the state department, which
had sought TO settle the question without
a commission for $4250) The award now
made exceeds this sum considerably, ana
besides there will be the expense Of arbl-
tration and also the possible establish,
ment of some unfortunate precedents as
to the obligation OF the United States to
pay estimated or prospective damages.
The controversy has occupied the atten-
ton Of the authorities here and in London
for the last eleven years At the outset
nf ia hgl
ilgerent suggesting possible resort to
arms. This was following the seizure by
the United states steamer Corwin of the
British schooner Carolina and Thornton
on August, 1856. The facts OF the seizure
were not known until some time later
and in the meantime the Corwfn had taxi
en- the onward and FavOrite. The same
policy of seizure and conhscatiou occurred
during the next sealing seasons, despite
the protest Of Great Britain
the United States ship Rich
ard Rush taking the Sayward,
Grace, Anna Peck, Dolphin. Alfred Adams,
Juniata, Opath. Black Diamond Lily
Ariel, Kate and Mime, while the United
states cutter eBar took the Aca.
The claims for these seizures took a wide
range, beginning with the value of the
vessels and outfits, including not only the
value Of the seaskins confiscated, but al
so the value of the skins which might have
been taken IL The ships had not been
seized. This last feature of prospective
damage caused the main contention. In
the case of each British ship the largest
item of the claim was for estimated future
catch. For instance, IN the case of the
Carolina, the cain for the ship was only
$i0C0, while that for skins which might
have been taken that year If she had moi
been seized. was $l8,667 Each ship esti-
mated a prospective catch OF from $3.50
TO 5000 skins, the value being from $3.50
Per skin in 1881 to $l2. .25 IN 1889 The total
Of the claims Without interest amounted
to $i39 l6l, and with interest at per cent.
and other charges, the total reached $7SG
1es
The claims, as presented by the
British government TO the commission
on account OF Canadian vessels seized in
BeTing sea, aggregated, with interest
81, 600. These included, under the claims
treaty, several cases not embraced I'm the
settlement proposed by Secretary Gresh-
am. The award now made amounts to
am.
The award OF the commission is final
and disposes of all the cases before it,
Payment, under the treaty, must be made
within six months.
The department officials. it is assumed
will proceed at once to prepare a bill or
an amendment to one of the regular ap-
preparation bills for submission 10 con-
gress, covering the necessary appropria-
tion to pay the judgments for being bound
by the treaty not only to pay any judg-
ments rendered, but to pay them prompt
ly, the government is i'm honor bound TO
take the remaining steps towards a settle
ment in short order.
Gen. Foster, who is now in general
charge of the Bering sea affairs, said as to
the award that he was not surprised at
the result. President Cleveland having Of
ficially declared that $425, 600 was a lust and
equitable sum in settlement and therefore
having appointed as the American com
missioner to adjudicate the claim close
and personal friend II could be hardly ex-
pected that the latter would strenuously
contend for an award of a less amount
Mr. Foster was absent from the country in
Japan when congress took action on Pres
ident CleVeland's recommendation but he
regarded the commission as the proper
method of reaching a settlement and the
only one which would satisfy the country
Notwithstanding the seizures. which
save rise to the award, were initiated un-
der democratic administration President
Mckinley will doubtless unhesitatinglv
recommend congress to provide for the
payment and he hoped and felt sure that
congress would promptly make the neces-
sary appropriation TO discharge the treaty
obligation; and as the Canadians receive
interest up to date on their deferred
ga9h spirit
There appears to be little doubt that the
United states carried its point on the
main question involved, viz: As TO the
right of prospective damages for sealskins
which might have been taken if the YES
sells had not been seized The British
claim included the estimated profits. which
i'm the aggregate ran the claim up to a
high figure. In view os the small amount
OF the actual award, without interest
these large prospective damages are evil
IDENTIFY scaled down to an insignificant
amount. or rejected entirely.
While department officials will make no
definite announcement to this effect. in
timations are given that the smallness OF
the award precludes the possibility of any
allowance having been made on account
of prospective damages.
The Alabama claims commission estab-
lished the precedent that the remote dam
ages could not be included IN a claim. and
the present award Is evidently on the
same line
London. Dec. A.-The Times, In an ed
itorial this morning expressing saiisfac
ton with the Bering sea settlement. which
il anticipates, congress Will not object TO
takes occasion to protest against the