The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1895-07-27
THE TARDY FRENCHNEN
The Waller Court Martial Records
Still Withheld.
MAY MAKE PEREMPToRY DEMAND

Our Government VIII Not submit Much
Longer to the Diiatory Frenohmen, and
the Case May Yet Lead to Serious In
transitional Complications
WASHINGTON, July e7.-The officials OF
the state department are at present anx-
iously awaiting information from Ambas-
sador Eustis as~to the manner in which
the second demand for the record of the
Waller court martial. which was held in
Tamatave, has been received in France.
II ID now learned definitely that the
French government refused tofurnish tho
record upon the frst presentation Of the
request and that this refusal was met on
the part of the state department by amore
positive and pressing demand for all the
papers.
The department is informed by Ambas-
sador Eustis that this demand has been
presented to the French authorities. There
has been quite sufficient time for reply,
but none has been received. The delay
would seem to indicate that the French
authorities appreciate the situation to an
extent at least, and while apparently not
prepared TO change front without due
consideration are yet disposed to delay an
other refusal as long as ID can be done
under diplomatic usage.
ne COufbt Oh tut Il EduCh Al thOiA 90
fusal to supply the record is considered
most unusual, and as no explanation OF
the decision was vouohsafed, the depart
ment Is at loss to know upon what
grounds 1t was based. tits customary when
q government asks for the evidence upon
which one of it's citizens has been con-
victed and sentenced to furnish copy OF
the record, especially when the trial has
been by q military court and In country
foreign to the two governments. There
is no other means by which the govern
ment officials may determine whether JUS
tice has been done or denied its citizens.
II is presumed that IL the refusal Is per-
sisted in and an explanation is made in
response to the renewed demand, 10 will
DO based upon the conolusiveness Of the
trial by the French court martial, but
Mr.. Kennedy, Walters senior counsel, as
serts that the presidents against this po-
sition are beyond question.
The superstition is gaining ground that
Frances refusal to furnish the record Ii
due to desire not to give publicity to
revelations made in the letters from
Waller, which were intercepted by the
French authorities, concerning the mis-
| conduct of some of the French soldiers.
| In letters which have been received here
from Waller within the past few days he
l EtNtulb bAo AbCp tuhu III LIE tStpSIb W LIE
wife he informed her Of various outrages
committed upon the native women of
| Tamatave, and gives such q circumstan.
tial account Vt these proceedings as to re-
fleet on the French soldiery In Madagas.
car In way which the French authorities
might not desire to see published to the
| world.
| There is good reason for believing that
| In case of second refusal by France to
supply the record third demand will be
made, which will be peremptory. 1t ID
not believed, however, that this ster
would be taken In the absence of Secretary
Olney, as IL is probable that II made II
might lead TO serious international com
plications.
The state department authorities con-
slider the case as one of Importance, be
cause 1t Is liable to develop some very del
ioate and intricate questions before II
shall be finally disposed of. 1t is known
that Secretary Gresham took this view Of
1t, and 1t lie believed that while he has moi
had occasion to 60 into the details to the
extent that his predecessor did, Mr.. Olney
j also feels that 1t Is a matter Of extreme
gravity.
Kansas Governor Appeals for waller.