The daily morning journal and courier., 1902-10-15
PLUS FUND CASE DECISION
MEXICO CONDEMNED TO PAY UNITED STATES $1, ,S2O, 900.
Text of the Finding Of the Tribunai- Decision Read by tho Secretary Gem eraI fin the Presence of the Members Of the Diplamatic Corps and Their Wives.

The Hague, Oct. 1.-The arbitration court, in the Plus Fund case has con- demned Mexico to pay athe United States $1,S20,O 900 in Mexican currency (between $S0O000 and $900,000) The tribunal finds:
 First-That the claim of the United States in behalf of the archbishop of San Francisco is governed by the prin- ciple of Res Judicata in virtue of the arbitration decision pronounced by Sir Edward Thornton. November. il. 1876, and amended by Sir Edward Thornton October "A, 1876.
 Second-That in conformity with this decision the government of the United States of Mexico should pay the gov ernment of the United States $1,420,- 65267 in money of the legal currency of Mexico within the period fixed by art1- cle 10 of the protocol of Washington. This sum will cover the total payment of annuities due from and unpaid by the government of the Mexican repub- l lie, namely, the annual payment of S43,- | 050. .99 in Mexican currency from Febru- ary 2. 1869, to February 2, 1902.
 Third-The government of the United States of Mexico will pay to the govern ment of the United States February 3, 1903. and every following year for the same date forever an annual payment of $43, ,050 999 of money of the legal cur rency of Mexico.
 The decision of the tribunal was read by Secretary General Ruyssenaers in the presence of the members of the di- plomatic corps, their wives and the rep resentatives of the litigants.
 Dr. Matzen, president of the court, who declared that a revision of the sen- tence was only possible in the event of new facts coming to light, thanked the representatives of the United States and of Mexico for their assistance in enlightening the arbitrators. He added that while no single judge was infalli- ble. the unanimity of the arbitrators who had so closely examined the whole question at issue was a guarantee that no mistake had been made.
 President Matzen concluded with eX-
 pressing the best wishes for the health of Queen Wilhelmina and the prosper ity of her people, who had welcomed
 the members of the court so cordially
 MT. Ralston of Washington, one O.
 the lawyers in the case, and Senor Par
 do. in behalf of Mexico, thanked tho
 court for the care it had given to th'
 case. Senor Pardo declared he wal
 sure that so soon as his governmen
 learned of the courts award it would
 accent it. He must, however, reserv' for his government the right to aVal itself of the provisions of the protocol
 The arbitration court which decided the Plus Fund case is composed follows: Dr. Martens (professor of in
 ternational law at the University o St. Petersburg), and Sir Edward Fr, British ex-lord justice of appeaD representing the United States, an Professor Asser the eminent Dutc \ iurist), and Dr. de Savorin Lohmar representing Mexico. These selected a the fifth arbitrator the president of tn
 Danish Landsthing.
 The Plus Fund originated in 1897 i r gifts made in trust to the Jesuits fror :, charitable persons, to be devoted to es
 tablishment and supporting Roma
 Catholic missions in the California;
 The Spanish government expelled tn I Jesuits in 1767 and seized all thei f property. which thereafter was admin s istered by the Franciscans. Whe '- Mexico gained her independence sh
 took charge of the fund. In 1S42 Mev s ico sold the properties of the fund an es guaranteed to the church authorities g per cent. on it in perpetuity. At tn l. time California was ceded to the Unite
 States Mexico stopped paying this r q terest. In 1869 Mexico paid $904, TOO al
 rears on an award made in favor (
 the church authorities by Sir Edwar q Thornton, Since then nothing has bee ipaid.