Omaha daily bee., 1915-09-05
WORK FOR YANKEE LAWYERS
Appear in English Prize Courts in
Interests of Clients Who Have
Claims to Press.
SOMETHING OF THE PRACTICE

hloIEetROnNNnEt OF the AHrUNAhANu ANSasN
LONDON. July IA day in the adj
niralty prize court these days is like be
ing in an American court. the prize
docket being crowded with cases involv-
ing the seizure OF American ships, with
American attorneys and witnesses crowd
ing the corridors and the court room. tho
attorney general. Sir Edward Carson. cit
ing long lists Of American cases and text
books IN support OF his contentious Even
the lord chief Justice OF the prize court.
Sir Samuel Evans. is asking questions
about American clients, American Gus
toms ana sharing the distinct American
atmosphere that pervades the court room
nowadays.
Here in detail is being rehearsed the
hundreds Of seizures Of ships and cargoes
which, besides their legal aspect. have In
the aggregate developed the most serious
political crisis existing between Great
Britain and the United states. There
have been upwards of COO seizures ana
detentions Of American ships. and the
number OF cargoes involved IL far larger
for each ship carries separate csrgoes TO
different consignees. Many Of the cases
have been settled. but the large number
stu at issue have gone through the
tedious process OF prize court pieadings.
and this month began TO take their turn
IN being threshed out TO a final decision
before the court itself.
As 10 the Prise Court.
The prize court IL one OF the labyrinth
a buildings making that historic land
mark known as the law courts a massive
pile Of woather-beaten gray stone. hous-
ing all The high courts of England. with
me lord chief Justice and the long train
% Lesser dignitaries and the various
tribunals. The scene within the court as
tha American cases are heard IL one of
tmpressive dignity. The chamber itself
n vast. box-like structure. with stone
floor and walls. great cathedral windows
ditsring the light dimly, and stained glass
calling seventy feet above, The only
touch Of brightness Is the large gilded
anchor and chains hanging back Of the
chief justico. an emblem Of British naval
power.
Cir Samuel Evans. presiding Judge. II
on q raised dais ten feet above the level
Of the rows OF solicitors and advocates.
including the attorney general and tho
solicitor general. kings counselorB and
junior counseiors-ali OF them, bench and
bar. In wigs and gowns. giving an APP
pearance OF deep solemnity. At the LEFT
Of the Judge sit two officers OF the royal
merchant marine. In full uniform. known
as nautical experts. He consults them
frequently on any technical question of
navigation OF naval construction arising
IN the cases.
Back Of the lawyers are the American
attorneys. in plain clothes ranks. leaning
forward to coach their British brethren.
but unable to say word. as British
practice requires all the argument to be
presented by officers OF the court and
British subjects. This has caused some
little embarrassment at times when the
reserved British barrister did not urge n
point with that vehemence that seemed
10 be warranted by the American legal
viewpoint.
Carson a Central Figure.
Sir Edward Carson. tho. attorney gem
einl Is tho central figure In these prize
court cases. He is the famous fiery Irish
mau from Ulster who leaped into world
wide fame when he organised and armed
the Ulster volunteers and dared the gov
eminent to enforce home rule on Ulster,
He won on that to the extent that homo
ilht - stu WtltluEs anu now no - a
member OF the government. one Of the
newly formed coalition ministry. But
there has been nothing fiery In his con-
duct OF the prize cases He speaks with
Gus any oratoricai effort. In a monotonous.
hum-drum manner, ali argument and no
defamation. lie appears 20 have little
hrInor. for he looks blankly at SIR samuel
on tho bench when the lord justice laughs
and has . joke.
In the case OF the ships Kim and Frid-
land, carrying American cargoes OF rub
her, Sir Edward cited many American
preoedents. one OF them was from 3
wallace, SIS, the case OF the Bermuda
Efe read a long paragraph to uphold his
contention. and then paused with some
apparent triumph that this American
case was on all-fours on his side
''But the next paragraph. which you
have not read" said SIR Samuel from the
bench, turns the case against you"
The difference between the British and
American practice was shown when ef-
forts were made 70 get COPY OF the
printed brief and affidavit which Sir Ed
ward Carson had been reading in open
court. In American courts these printed
briefs are open to anyone. Bat when APP
plication was made to tho clerks OF the
prize coSzt they were scandalized at the
request. Briefs. they explained. were
rigidly secret. never going beyond the
solicitors. who guarded them as a matter
OF professional ethics.
Resent Suggestion of Delay.
The registry Of the prize court Is an
other vast structure adjoining Il. with
endless bureaus. through which the Amer
lcan attorneys wander in quest OF various
branches OF their cases. always receiving
The greatest courtesy but always with
the mass OF tradition and conservatism
against quick action. And yet the Off
s.lals resent any suggestion that there
had been any delay IN these prize cases,
although the American iitlgants are
slnarting under what they claim Is delay.
One OF the chief officials Mr.. Lowell,
register OF admiralty. said;
'sfhere Is absolutely no delay 80 FAR az
the prize court Is concerned Sir Samuel
Evans ~ sitting early and late He is
going 20 give up the usual summer recess
Of the court which hegins in August in
order 10 dispose Of these cases with the
greatest promptness"
One OF tbs British officials wh0 has
had most 10 90 with these Prize cases
sasd Il was Iaanlfestiy impossible for the
political branch OF the government. the
crown. "a hurry the LEGAL branch. where
the existing law had 20 De administered