Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-07-16
ASKS NAVAL BOUNTY,
Admiral Dewey Files Papers in
the Court Of Claims.
THE FIRST OF A LARGE CLASS
Rewards for Sinking and DESTROYING
SPANS Ships.
QUESTIONS OF LAW AND FACT.
The Decision in the Admirars Case
VIII Affect Thousands of Others.
The Decision in the Admirnrs Case
Navy Department,

WASHINGTON, July 1j-Admlral
George Dewey to-day fled in the Court OF
Claims, through his attorney, his claim
for naval bounty growing out OF the
battle OF Manila Bay. May /. 1898. This
is the first OF this class Of claims filed
in the court, and it is anticipated that
there will be between four and live thou
sand of them altogether. Many of these
claims were originally filed before the
Navy Department under the provisions
Of section 1875 Of the Revised Statutes, for
sinking or otherwise destroying vessels
belonging to Spain, on various dates du-
ring the period from April 2lst, when ac-
tive naval operations against that coun-
try were entered upon. until the suspen-
sion Of hostiities upon the signing Of
the protocol. August a, 1893
QUESTIONS OF LAW AND FACT.
These claims involve conuoyerted ques-
lions Of fact and law the decision Of
which will affect a number of cases and
will furnish a precedent for the future
action of the Navy Department in the adj
justment of this class of cases
The Secretary of the Navy, after con-
sultation with the Attorney-General, and
with his approval, has referred to the
Court Of Claims a number Of these claims,
i'm order that the matters involved may
receive judicial consideration.
SOME OF THE CLAIMANTS.
The claims referred to the Court Of
Claims are the following: United States
flagship New York. Spanish fleet, san
tiaeo. Cuba. July 3, 1898; United States
steamship Concord, Manila Bay, May !,
1895: United States steamship Manning
Spanish fleet. Santiago, Cuba, July 3,
1885: United States tOrpedO-bOat Ericsson,
surrender Spanish fleet, Santiago, Cuba,
July 3. 1895; United States steamship
Yale. surrender Santiago cuba, July o.
1898: United States battleship Massachu-
sets. prize money and bounty Tor SINK
ing Rena Mercedes. harbor Santiago
evening July 4. 1898: United States steam
ship McCulOch, Manila Bay, May /, loSo'
United States battleship Texas Ami
rante Oquendo, lnfanta Maria Teresa,
Viscava. Cristobal Colon, Pluton, Furor,
Relna Mercedes, July and b. 1898; United
States battleship Texas vessels taken by
terms OF capitulation of Santiago and
eastern province of Cuba; United states
steamship Hist. bounty for sinking Of
Estrella. disabling gunboat Cuba Espana,
and torpedo-boat Delgada, sinking OF sloop
with soldiers, burning armed vessel, all
IN engagement against superior force,
harbor Manzanillo, Cuba, July 80, 1873
JUDICIAL DETERMINATION NEEDED
The Secretary Of the Navy is given au-
thority TO refer these claims TO the Court
OF Claims for decision under provision OF
section Of the Act of March 3, 1898, en-
titled IAN act to afford assistance ana
relief to Congress and the Executive de-
partnents in the investigation of claims
and demands against the government"
The purpose OF the reference OF the
claims is 10 get a judicial determination
by the court Of the rights Of all parties
interested.