DAMAGES FOR CREW

Southland Times, Issue 22488, 24 January 1935, Page 3

DAMAGES FOR CREW

SINKING OF I’M ALONE. (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) ■Washington, January 21. The Secretary of State, Mr Cordell Hull, in a Note delivered to the Canadian Minister, Mr Herridge, said that while the joint American and Canadian commission found the mission and use of the rum-runner I’m Alone, unlawful, they also found its sinking by the United States Coastguard Cutter Dexter unlawful and the Government of the United States therefore tenders his Majesty’s Canadian Government an apology for the sinking of the vessel. Mr Hull is taking the necessary steps to secure an appropriation of 50,000 dollars damages for the Canadian Government and-the captain and the crew of I’m Alone.

[The American-Canadian Arbitration Commission decided that the United States apologize for sinking the I’m Alone on April 9, 1929, and pay Canada 25,000d01. as compensation. Canada had claimed 386,000d01. in the Supreme Court, over which Mr Justice Vandeventer and Chief Justice Reed (Canada) presided. The commission further decided that no compensation should be allowed the owners either for the ship or cargo. The master and the crew were not found guilty of smuggling, therefore the commission ordered compensation for them—clothing and effects and for their imprisonment. In March, 1929, the British auxiliary cruiser, I’m Alone, a suspected contraband carrier, was sunk off the eastern coast of the United States in a battle with coastguard craft. The incident provoked an acute controversy over the legality of the action of the coastguard authorities.]