The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-12-24

WASHINGTON, Dec 23.-Despite
official reticence regarding the findings
Of the Bering sea claims commission,
which have been filed with the state de-
partment, there appears little doubt
that the United States carried it's point
on the main question involved. This
was as to the right of the sealers TO
claim damages for sealskins that might
have been captured, if the vessels had
not been seized. The claims submitted
embodied estimates Of such prospective
profits. In view of the small amount of
the actual award. without interest,
these large prospective damages evil
IDENTIFY are scaled down to an insignif-
icant amount or rejected entirely.
While the department officials will
make no definite announcement to this
affect, limitations are given that the
s1nallness of the award precludes the
possibility of any allowance having
been made on account of prospective
damages. The Alabama claims COM
mission established the precedent that
remote damages could not be included
in a claim, and the present award is
evidently on the same line.
The only official statement that could
be secured here of the judgment reach
ed by the commissioner is contained in
the following announcement given out
at the state department this afternoon:
1.-THE award of the Boring sea claims
commission has been filed in the de-
partment Of state. The claims as pre-
scented by the British government to
the commission on account of Canadian
vessels seized In Boring sea aggregated,
with interest, 1000, 600 These includ-
ed, under the claims treaty, several
cases not embraced in the settlement
proposed by Secretary Gresham. The
award now made amounts to 1924, ISL,
to which is to be added interest which
will increase the total about so per
cent. The award is final and disposes
of all cases before it. Payment under
the treaty must be made within six
months"
The department officials, it Is assum-
ed, will proceed at once to prepare a
bill or an amendment, to one of the
regular appropriation bills, for sub
mission to congress, covering the neces-
sary appropriation to pay judgments,
for being bound by treaty not only to
pay any judgments rendered, but to
pay them promptly, the government is
in honor bound to take the remaining
steps toward a settlement in short or
der.
Gen. John w. Foster, who Is now in
general charge of Boring sea affairs,
said tonight as to the award that he
vas not surprised at the result. Presi-
dent Cleveland having officially declar-
ed that $425,000 was a just and equit-
able sum in settlement, and, therefore,
having appointed as the American COM
missioner to adjudicate the claims a
close personal and political friend, 1t
could hardly be expected that the lat
ter would strenuously contend for an
award of less amount. Mr.. Foster
was absent from the country in Japan
when congress took action on Presi-
dent Cleveland's recommendation, but
he regarded the commission as the pro-
per method of reaching a settlement,
and the only one which would satisfy
the country. Notwithstanding the seiz-
ures, which gave rise to the award,
were initiated under a Democratic adj
ministration, President Mckinley will
doubtless recommend congress to pro-
vide for the payment; and he hopes and
feels sure that congress will make the
necessary appropriation to discharge
the treaty obligations; and as the Cana
dams receive interest up to date on
their deferred claims, the result should
he accented on both sides in good spirit