Head Money.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Issue 52, 20 May 1899, Page 4

Head Money.

The officers of Dewey's fleet have preferred a claim for double the amount of head money -which it was at first believed they were entitled to receive as the result of the victory over the Spanish forces at Cavite last May. The law provides tljat 100 dol. '£20) shall be allowed ff the i " "or each person on

the captured or destroyed vessels. By that calculation almost 200,000 dol. would be divided among Dewey's sailors. But it is also parvided that where the conquered force was superior to the attacking force the allowance shall be 200 dol. per head. While Dewey's claim is not based upon any superiority of the Spanish fleet, it is asserted that the fleet, fighting in conjunction with the shore batteries at Cavite, did constitute a superior force in the law. The point is a new one and is now under consideration before the Judge Advocate General of the Navy. All claims for prize money and bounty received at the Navy department have been referred to the Court- of Claims for adjuication, but there was some hesitation at first in so disposing of the claims of those who served with Dewey, on account of the military question involved. A reference to the court has been ordered by Secretary Long, however on the recommendation of Captain Lcinly, Judge Advocate-General of the Navy.