The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-04-23
MapacIed Like n Convict.

MARSEILLES. April 22-The case of Mr..
John L. Waller. formerly United States
consul at Tamatave. Island of Madagascar,
who was recently sentenced by French
court-martial TO imprisonment for twenty
years, and who arrived here on Saturday
last on board the steamer Djemnah, is at
tracing considerable attention, in view or
the fact that it has been announced that
the United States ambassador at Paris, Mr.
James b. Eustis, has been instructed to in-
qiire into the matter. Mr.. Waller was
manacied while on board the Djemnah, be-
tween Tamatave and Majunga, on the
northwest coast of the Island of Madagas-
car But from that port on he was allowed
to tax hours exercise daily on deck.
guard a soldier. On arrival here he
was in JAIL and 1t Is reported that
he W. eventually be imprisoned on the
island of Corsica or on the Safety isles.
During the voyage Mr.. Waller spoke but
little, although he frequently asked to be
officials declined to grant his request on ac-
count of his refusal to agree to show them
the letter he intended to write; When be-
claimed, refused to speak in French and
the services of an interpreter had to be
employed during the trial.
Mr.. Walters nephew. who is twenty-five
years of age is said to be implicated In the
trial and Condemnation. and the Young man
was condemned to expulsion from the island
of Madagascar. He. embarked as second
class passenger board the Djemnah, but
landed at Zanzibar without having been
able to communicate with his uncle. For
the present. Mr.. Waller. is incarcGated at
st. Nicholas. this. port: 1t is thought prob
able that he will again be called upon to
appear before a court-martial.
The Charges Against waller.
/ PARIS, April 22.-The correspondent OF
the Temps at Tamatave states that John
l.. Waller, formerly United States consul
at that place, was indicted on two charges.
namely, violation of an order of the French
Admiral governing correspondence. and,
secondly, writing to the enemy. The evil
dence. the correspondent adds, showed that
Mr.. Waller intrusted to officer of a
aateampoat at e bulkXlt klte lettssEs tss ghish was posted
Tessier, merchant Antananarivo, via
vatomandry. Unfortunately. 1t appears,
the English mail was not dropped at
Vatomandry, but was landed at Tamatave,
where the envelope attracted the attention
of the authorities, who opened it and found
that it contained particulars regarding the
strength of the French garrison, the num-
posts etc. The envelope, it is further
stated, also contained an inclosure adj
wood Harvey, editor of the Madagascar
News, asking the. latter to insert il in that
tained abominable calumnies regarding the
conduct of the French soldiers on the island
of Madagascar and denounced TWO Oh Mr..
Walters compatriots, honorable American
merchants, who were going to Antananar-
ivo, as being spies In the pay OF France
The trial of Mr.. Waller, says the corre-
spondent of the Temps, only lasted three
hours and three-quarters, at the end OF
which time he was condemned to twenty
years Imprisonment Mr.. Waller appealed
against this sentence, but IL was eventually
confirmed According to the correspondent
of the Temps, 1t was son-in-law of Mr..
Waller Paul Bray, native OF Texas, and
not his nephew. who accompanied hrnr
board the Djemnah. Bray, ii is added.
expelled from the island of Madagascar
for constant hostility to the French author
tiles and troops and for completely with his
father-in-law in communicating with tho
enemy. Bray, 1t is stated in conclusion,
was handed over to the American consul at
Zanzibar.
Not Condemned to Hard Labor.
TOULON, April pm. Hanes, the marine
commissary general by whose order Mr.
Waller was confined in Fort ST. Nicholas.
at Marseilles, notified the rocureur dc la
Republic this afternoon of the disposition
made of the prisoner. The Procureur de
la Republic Immediately ordered Mr.. Wal
Ter to be transferred to the civil prison at
ST. Pierre, where he will await the de-
cision of the prisons board of France as
to where the sentence is to be carried out
Mr. Waller is condemned TO twenty years
detention in prison, but not at hard labor
When in prison he will not be treated with
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