Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1895-08-05
IN APPEAL For AID
On Behalf Of the Family Of Consul
Waller.
His Wife and Children Are Living
Upon Cha ity on the Island Of
Mauritius-F unds May Be Sent to
the Department Of State.

Washington. D. c., August 4.-The
counsel in the Waller case have united
in the following appeal for assistance
for Mrs. Waller:
at is generally known that John T.
Waller. formerly United States Consu.
at Tamatave, Madagascar, was arrested
and tried by the French military au-
tborities. who had occupied that town
last March. and that he was sentenced
to twenty years Imprisonment at hard
labor for the alleged offence OF commu-
nicatinq with the enemy. He isAnow
confined in a military prison near Mar
settles. France Mr.. Walters step-son,
Paul Bray, who was the
ONLY REMAINING SUPPORT
of the family in Madagascar, was ex-
pelled from the island by the French
military authorities, and Mrs. Waller
and her children were left destitute at
AntananariVo, the capital of the island,
over TWO hundred miles from the coast.
Through the kindness of MIR. E. G.
Woodford. an American citizen, Mrs.
Waller and. her family were furnished
with means to reach the sea at Vato-
mandry. and thence to take passage to
Mauritius. where they are now stranded
and living on charity for want OF
means.
"Mr. Waller was Assistant Superin-
tendent of the Kansas asylum for the
blind, and held other responsible posi-
tons in that State before he was ap-
pointed Consul at Tamatave, having
been one of the Presidential electors at
large from Kansas in 1888.
FUNDS ARE NEEDED
to bring Mrs. Waller and her family
home. She has important evidence in
support Of her husbands innocence Of
the charge on which he was convicted
by the French court martial at Tama-
tave. The Department of State is in
curing into Walters claim against the
French government for illegal arrest
and imprisonment and the confscation
of a valuable concession which had
been granted to him by the Queen of
Madagascar, but has not funds avail
able for bringing Mrs. Waller and her
children TO the United States Mr..
Waller was one of the leading men of
color in the country; his efforts and
sacrifices in behalf of negro elevation
cannot be overlooked, and it is hoped
that systematic and immediate efforts
VIII be made by the cOlOred people in
their churches and through Other agen-
cies to raise funds for the relief of Unia
needy and
UNFORTUNATE FAMILY.
1T is believed that grevious wrong
has been done 10 Mr.. Waller and BRAY
by The French military authorities in
their war of conquest against Madagas-
car for which, sooner or later, apology
will be made TO the United States and
indemnify paid to the sufferers. But
this appeal is made to citizens of the
United States without regard 10 the
question of Walters guilt or innocence.
His wife and family are American cit
liens. and through no fault OF theirs.
are destitute and helpless far away
from home. It is to be regretted thst
the government has not funds avail
able for such cases as this. and +. is or
this account that an appeal is made 10
the general public.
All contributions may be sent to
the Department of State. and as the
case is urgent and immediate and lib
eraI response is invoked from The Amer
lean people
"CRAMNOND KENNEDY,
"IOHN NJ T,ANGCTON