The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1897-12-24
O|SPOSES OF ALL CASES
The Final Report of the Boring
Sea Arbitrators.
WILL BE PAID PROMPTLY
The Government Is in Honor Bound to
Pay the Judgments Rendered-The
United States Carries Its Point
on the Main Question.

Washington, Dec 23.-The findings
of the British-American commission
chosen to assess the damages for seiz-
ures of British ships in Boring sea,
have been received by the state depart
ment and the British embassy. The
strictest reticence is maintained how
ever on the general character of the
finding, though is is admitted that the
total award against the United States
is $464 900, which includes principal and
interest.
The finding against this government
is no surprise. The controversy has
occupied the attention of the authori-
ties here and in London for the last IL
years. At the outset the tone was very
belligerent, suggesting a possible resort
to arms. This was following the seiZ-
ure by the United States steamer Cor
win of the British sealers Carolina and
Thornton, on Aug. !, 1886. The facts OF
the seizure We're not known until some
time later. and in the meantime the
Corwin had taken the Onward and Fa-
vorite. The same policy of seizure ana
confiScation occurred during the next
sealing season, despite the protests of
Great Britain, the United States steam
ship Richard Rush, taking the Saward,
Grace, Anna Pack, Dolphin. Alfred
Adams, Triumph. Juanita, Pathfinder.
Black Diamond, Lilly, Arctic, 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 the value of the sealskins con
fiscated but also the value of skins
which might have been taken if the
ships had not been seized. This last
feature of prospective damage caused
the main contention. In the case or the
British ships. the largest item of the
claim was for estimated future catch
For instance, in the case OF the caro-
lima the claim for the ship was only
81. 600. while that for skins which might
have been taken that year If she had
not been lost, was $16.667. Each ship
estimated a prospective catch of from
800 to 5000 skins, the value being from
$3.50 per skin in 1887 to SEQ IN ls9o.
The total of the claims. without inter-
est amounted to $439,16l, and with IN
terest at per cent and other charges,
| the total reached $lS6, loo.
The only official statement that could
| be secured here of the judgment reach
| ed by the commissioners Is contained
| in the following announcement gwen
| out at the state department this after
| noon: THE award Of the Boring sea
| claims commission has been filed in the
| department of state. The claims were
| presented by the British government &c
| the commission on account of cana
! dian vessels seized in the Boring sea
| aggregated with interest sl,5oo,ooo
! These included, under the claim treaty
several cases not embraced in the set
| Element proposed by Secretary Gresh-
am. The award now made amounts &c
$2g4 1871. 10 which is To be added IN
terest which will increase the tota
about so per cent. The award is hna
and disposes of all cases before II
Payment under the treaty must Dt
made within six months"
The departmental officials ii is as
sumed will proceed at once TO prepare
a bill or an amendment to enc of tht
regular appropriation bills for suomis
sion To congress. covering the neces
sary appropriation To pay the judg
ments. for being bound by treaty no
only TO pay any judgments rendered
but To pay them promptly. the govern
ment is in honor bound to take the re
naming steps toward a settlement II
short order. There appears to be htti
! doubt that the United States carried
it's point on the main question IN
Volved, viz: As to the right OF pro
? | speCtive damages. Tor thes
claims evidently are scaled
! . down 10 an insignificant amount or re
e / iected entirely While the department
officials will make no definite an
nouncement TO this effect. intimation
are given that the smallness of tn
award precludes the possibility OF an