Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-12-24
BERING SEA AWARD.
FINDINGS OF THE BRIrIsH-AMERr-
CAN CLAIMS COMMISSION.
AMOUNT AGAINST Us $4,000.
This Is Final, and Dfsposcs Of AN
Cases I'm Dispute-Great Rstieencs
ON the General Characters of the
Findings. =.
Findings.

WASHINGTON, December 2.-Tho
findings OF the British-American commls-
sion chosen to assess the damages Tor
seizures of British ships in Ber1ng Sea
have been received by the State Depart-
ment and the British Embassy. The
striciest reticonco is maintained, how
ever. on the general character or the
findings, though 1t is admitted that the
total Of the award against the United
States is Sls2,O0o which includes prfnctpai
and interest A separate statement OF
the award. divided into principal and sn-
terest, Is refused at this time
In order to avoid nisapprehension, ft
should be understood that the finding
against this government Is no SURPRISE,
that being a certainty under the nnding
OF the Paris court OF arbitration that the
United States had no right to close
Bering Sea against foreign ships. The
international commissions only duty was
to assess the amount of the damages.
The amount allowed Is considered 10
some extent a vindication OF the state
Department, which had sought to settle
the question without a commission for
$425,0O0. The award now made exceeds
this sum considerably, and besioes this
there will be the expense OF the arbitra-
tion and also the possible establishments
Of some 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
the tone OF the controversy was very bel
ligerent. suggesting a possible resort TO
arms. This followed the seizure by the
United States steamer Corwin Of tho
British sealers Carolena and Thornton on
August l. 1886. The facts or the seizure
were not known until some time later.
and in the mean time the Corwin had
taken the Onward and Favorite. The
samo policy of seizure and confiscation
occurreds during the next sealing season.
despite the protests OF Great Britain the
United States ship Richard Rush taking
the Sayward. Grace Anna Beck, Dolphin.
Alfred Adams, Triumph. Juniata, PATH
finder, Black Diamond, Lily, Ariel, Kate
and, Minnie. while the United States cut-
ter Bear took the Ada.
The claims for these seizures took a
wide range beginning with the value or
the vessels and outfits, and including not
only the value OF sealskins conflscated.
but also the value OF skins which might
have been taken II the ships had not
been seized. This last feature OF pros
pective damage caused the main conten-
tion. In the case OF each British ship.
the largest item Of the claim was for es-
timated future catch. For instance, In
A.. II. go
the ship was ohly 5000 while that for
skins, which might have been thKen that
year IL she had not been seized was
| SIG, ,6C7. Each ship estimated prospec-
tive catch of from $500 to 5000 skins. the
value being from $3.50 per skin In 1887 to
| y12.25 In 1889. The total OF the claims
without interest amounted to s4s91ei. and
| with interest at per cent. and other
| charges the total reached SIS. i66.
| The only official statement that could
| be secured here Of the Judgment reached
| by the commissioners is contained In the
| following announcement. given out at the
State Department this afternoon:
"The award of the Bering Sea claims
commission has been filed In the Depart
ment of State The claims. as presented
| by the British Government to the COM
mission. on account OF Canadian vessels
| seized in Bering Sea aggregated, with In
terest. H5OOOO0. These included under
| the claims treaty several cases not en-
| braced In the settlement. proposed by
Secretary Gresham. The award row
made amounts to S29i l9i.g, 10 which is 10
be added interest which will increase the
| total about 90 per cent. The award Is
| final and dlsposes OF all cases before 1t.
| Payment under the treaty must be made
4 within six months"