New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-08-26


HE WAS TREATED WITH THE MOST OUT
RAGEous INJUSTICE BY THE AMER
IcAN REPRESENTATIVE IN TAM
ATAvE AND SAYS 1T WAS
ALI. FROM MOTIVES
OF PERSONAL
SPITE
The somewhat guarded intimatons that MI.
Bray, the adopted son Of ex-Consu Waller. made
in the course of graphic interview with tho
Washington correspondent of The Tribune.
which appeared yesterday respecting the apathy
shown by United States Consul Wetter In the
case OF Mr. Waller were strengthened yesterday
by Charles r. Lyons. Of No. l26 Berkeley Place.
Brooklyn. who unfolded tale TO a Tribune re-
porter that brings into serious question botn tho
integrity and the competency Of the representa-
tive of this country at Tamatave. Mr. Lyonss
startling story OF malicious persecution and Of
ficial arbitrariness to which Wetter subjected
him from alleged purely personal interests Is
backed up by many letters and legal documents.
and unless substantially refuted calls for an inn
mediate and searching inquiry into the official
antecedents and conduct of Wetter.
In the interview referred to Mr.. Bray speaks
OF the contents Of one of NJ. Walters letters
wherein the ex-Consul censures ''in strong terms
the conduct OF Consul Wettcr in controversy
between two American citizens. one Of whom. in
Mr.. Walters opinion. had been subjected to op-
pressive and outrageous treatment by the Consul
acting in his official capacity" This oppressed
citizen Is none other than Mr.. Lyons and the ac-
count Of his treatment at the hands OF Wetter II
true in all its details shows that the pontedly
expressed opinion of Mr.. Waller is more than
justified.
MR. LYONSS BUSINESS IN MADAGASCAR.
Mr. Lyons It seems arrived in Tamatave last
September to take up the position Of agent In
Madagascar for the well-known Boston exporting
house carried on by George Ropes. He was sent
to supersede man named Geldart, who, 1t was
found, was a personal friend Of Consul Wetter.
Mr.. Lyons had not been long In Tamatave before
he discovered some irregularities in Gel
darts transactions and from that moment
Mr. Lyons asserts that there an intention on
the part of his predecessor. with the aid Of Con-
sui Wetter, to get him out Of the country. Their
opportunity to embroil him in difficulties came
shortly afterward and may be described in Mr..
Lyonss own words. He says:
Shortly after | arrived at Tamatave I sent .
schooner to Vatromandry, with man on board
who was to take up the position of sub-agent for
George Ropes at that place Now. 1t is CUSTOM
ary whenever you establish agency in any
place in Madagascar to get a letter from your
Consul to the native governor of the district at
which the agency will be. The letter Is simply
kind of a note of introduction and certi1es ones
ma nationality. 1 asked Consul Wetter for this let
ter. which also a protection, 50 far as
ones business interests are concerned. Now
comes the point on which all my troubles are
supposed to hinge l got that letter from Wet
ter inclosed with two other letters which were
for myself in large envelope. The letter was
addressed to me. and naturally opened II, ana
inside along with the other letters was the official
communication to Governor Rakatavoa, which
had not been inclosed in a separate envelope or
it's own. 1t was on the accusation of opening
this letter that was afterward arrested and put
on trial"
WETTER'S SPECIAL FAVOR"
Mr. Lyons said that one of the letters which
Wetter wrote to him a private one saying
that he (Wetter) exceeding his authority in
sending him the letter to the governor, and that
he did it only a mark of special favor MI.
Lyons took objection 10 the patronizng tone OF
the Consuls communication, and replied that 1t
was always customary for consus in Madagas-
car to provide agents of foreign firms intending
to do business in a certain district with letter
lection for the agent However Mr.. Lyons in
due course dispatched his agent. whose name
was Lorrot to Vatromandry, and the ConsulS
document was duly presented TO the governor.
The latter Mr.. Lyons asserts, made no COM
plant about the letter having undergone any
tampering or Of 1t being delivered in any sus-
picious manner The incident should have ended
here but Mr.. Lyons says Wetter hanging
complaint upon the unlawful opening OF the or
fetal letter, began a rigorous system OF malice
and persecution against him that was ended only
by him doing what Wetter. prompted by Gel
dart wanted him to do, that is to leave the
island and return home. Mr.. Lyons, continuing
his story, said:
"Geldart. whom was sent TO relieve, and who
perhaps naturally enough was not well disposed
toward me, returned to Tamatave a few days
later and Immediately after his arrival he went
TO see his friend, Consul Wetter. Shortly after
he came to my house and said he had made trou-
bic for me- and that Wetter intended making
things pretty hot for asked him on what
pretext, and he told me FOR opening the letter to
the Governor | told Geldart then what was tho
truth, and what have always maintained was
the truth that the Governors letter was not in
closed in a separate envelope. but was put inside
a large covering addressed TO me. and in which
there were letters for myself.
ARRESTED AT TAMATAVE
II heard nothing more OF the matter for
some fifteen or twenty days later, when was
without warning arrested By the United States
Marshal at Tamatave. whose name is John
Dublin. and who Is an American citizen. Tho
warrant upon which | was arrested merely
charged me with violating seven statutes of the
United States and did not state the nature Of
the offence / supposed To have committed.
/ was at once brought before Wetter, and was
then told that my offence was opening an ofii-
cial letter. and after talking long time about
the gravity of the case, he adjourned the mat
ter and ordered me TO furnish heavy bail or