The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-05-05
WOKE UP THE BRITISHERS
Mr.Coudert's Argument Before the Behr-
ing Sea Arbitratorso Continued.
One Of fiis Statements Denied in Chorus by
the English ceunsel-Evil of Pelscic Seal
ing-Debate on the German Army Bill
MR.. coUpERTs ARGUMENT.

The American Lawyer scores Several Points
for Uncle SANS Side of the seal Dispute.
PARIS, May 4.-Mr. +. r. Coudert con-
tinued his argument in behalf OF the United
States to-day before the Behring sea tribu-
nal of arbitration. Mr. Coudert Analysed
the JOINT report of the commissioners ap-
pointed by Great Britain and the United
States TO ascertain the facts In relation to
seal life In Behripg sea and the measures
necessary for Its proper protection and pre-
vention. Mr.. Coudert urged that the
pelagic sealers, in killing q grsvid female,
destroyed three animals. and then fire.
quently did not obtain o skin as q result of
this slaughto the creature that the sealers
slew often sinking into the sea and thus es-
Gaping them. Mr. Coudert humorously de-
scribed the refusal of the female seals to
suckle pups that had been orphaned
through the slaughter of their mothers by
the pelagic sealers. and caused consider
able merriment among the listeners. There
was a frequent exchange of repsrtee be-
tween Baron DE CouroeI. president of the
tribunal. and Mr.. Coudert.
Dir. Coudert proceeded to prove that
there could be no commingling Of the seal
herds of Alaska with those of Aslatio
Alaskan from the Russian skins and
charged higher prices for the Alaskan.
Mr.. Coudert read atfdavits In support OF
these assertions. He enlarged upon the
natural history of the seal. replying with
admirable readiness to O series of questions
addressed to him by the members OF the
tribunal of arbitration. In response TO
question by Baron De Courcel. Mr.. Coudert
said that Copper island seals caught by
the pelagIc sealers came to the market as
having been caught in Japan.
The British counsel exclaimed In chorus:
That Is quite wrong"
Mi. Coudert answered.: 1--WE have ample
proof that it's true. We have proof also
that three -fOurtns or the total number OF
skins sold those of females" Mr..
Coudert read evidence in support OF his
statement.
Lord Hannon, one of the British arbI-
traitors. asked: During the preparation
of the skins Is any body's attention called
to the distinction between male and female
skiDsp
Mr. Coudert continued to read affidavits
president. Baron De Courcel, said: Lord
Hannen's question 10 unanswered. sup
pose nobody could answer itf"
Mr.. Coudert-If nobody can. then ] can
not. but should not like to admit by ST.
lence my inability to answer the question.
Mr.. Coudert went on to show that the sex
of the seals naturally presented itself TO
those engaged in preparing the skins Mr..
Coudert quoted the French furrler. Revil-
lou. as saying that the sex could not be
DISTINGUISHED from the skins. but, he sad.
he would produce overw helming proof to
the contrary.
Recurring TO the question of the terri
torial limits within which the seals were
caught. Mr. Coudert contrasted the state
ments of q British sealing captain to the
effect that tho animals were never found
ten miles from land. with the evidence of
another British witness to the effect that
he had found seals at distances of between
ten and $50 miles from the coast