The San Francisco call., 1898-11-28
MANY CLAIMS
 AGAINST THIS
 GOVERNMENT Sealers to Ask for
 Damages. SEIZURES MADE YEARS AGO VESSEL OWNERS SAY THEY
 WERE ILLEGAL.
SEIZURES MADE YEARS AGO
Americans Emboldened by the Sue cess of the Canadians in Obtaining Large
 Award.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

VICTORIA, B. C., Nov 27.-1t was learned to-day that, emboldened by the success of Victoria sealers who were awarded $425, 900 a short time ago by the American Government on account of Boring Sea seizures, a number or American sealing men-owners. cap tains and hunters-are now preparing claims for submission to the Washing ton authorities, demanding many thousands In payment for the losses incurred by them in consequence of the seizure of their vessels in the Bering Sea. As all know the statutes of the United States in the years of the seiz- ures, most of which occurred in 1oSi, prohibited pelagic sealing in the waters of Alaska In consequence of this law many American schooners changed their register and sailed as British yes sels, which were without the jurisdlc- tion of the United States laws, hence the awards made to them in compenSa- tion for their seizures.
 Among those however, who contln- ued to hunt under the Stars ana Stripes, notwithstanding the prohlplloIy statutes was a fleet of San tranclSco and Puget Sound schooners. Or these a number were seized by the patroilns fleet of revenue cutters.
 Among them was the schooner Ethel, on account of whose seizure in 1891 the Government of the United States will soon be asked to pay $20, 1000. Her cap tain and owner Phil Moore, left here for San Francisco about four days ago, where he will complete the preparation of the claims of that schooner.
 Another claim being prepared here is that of the Lily Ladd, San Fran cisco schooner. Captain Todd, who was master of her when she was selzed III lS87 and who Is now on the Nlctorla schooner Enterprise, is preparing the claims of those connected with that vessel. He will leave for San trancisco in a few days.
 Claims are being prepared for the San Francisco schooner Louise. SeV- eral other claims for the seizure Of san Francisco vessels and the losses ln- cured by those aboard them are be- ing prepared. There are, too, num- Der of Seattle men here, preparing Anna. the Allie I. Alger and other yes sels which during the heyday or seal ing sailed from the Sound c The Americans are not alone in the preparation of claims for compensa- ton. for a number of claims are Tn course of preparation asking Russia to nav large sums to compensate the own CTS of vessels seized off the Copper Isl ands, and the men belonging to them who were imprisoned at PetropauloV- ski. In all six vessels were seized. Two-the Willie McGowan and Ariel and those connected with them nave been recompensed already. The other vessels seized by the Russian cruisers in that year were the Carmelite, Rosie Olsen. Vancouver Belle and Maria. They were all seized about thirty miles from the islands and their mas ters and crews were thrown into prison at Petropaulovski, where they were shamefuliy mistreated. They were ul- timately released and sent home ln the Rosie Olsen. The other vessels are still lying at Petropaulovsh
 Besides these about twenty-five hunters are preparing claims for com pensation on account of imprisonment: They were captured in their small hoats bv Russian cruisers and thrown into prison with the others whose schooners were seized.