As a matter of fact, the United States does not owe any such sum.
The Paris tribunal said we had no right to prevent other ships from entering the Bering Sea, and that we must pay damages to Canada for having done so.
No sum of money was, however, agreed on.
Lord Salisbury and Secretary of State Gresham decided that, "subject to the approval of Congress," $425,000 would be about a fair sum for us to pay.
When the subject came up before Congress, it was found that many false claims were being made, and that frauds of every kind were being practised to get damages from us. The entire matter was therefore thrown out, Congress refusing to agree to the payment of the $425,000.
A Committee was appointed to look into the matter, and is now holding its sittings in Vancouver. At the present time no one knows what amount we will have to pay.
When the fair and just demand is presented to our Government, there is no doubt it will be settled without delay.
Mr. John W. Foster has been sent to Europe to try and settle the seal fisheries dispute.
He first went to England, but did not meet with success there, so he journeyed on to St. Petersburg, to see if Russia would not help us.