Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-08-23
A Cowardly Administration.

A Cowardly Administration.
The people of this country, irrespective
OF political belief, are very generally con
demning the weak, vacillating, and
wholly un American foreign policy Of the
Cleveland administration. 1t has assumed
u cringing and subservient attitude to
ward the large powers, and bullying
attitude toward the small powers. A for
oible illustration of this fact Is afforded by
the cases of ex-Consul Waller of Madagas-
car, and James Dureel Of Hawaii Both
are American citizens. Both are colored
men. Waller at one time served his state,
Kansas, as presidential elector The
French government accused Waller Of
aiding the Havas in Madagascar. This
charge, however, Is believed to be with
out the shadow of foundation. The real
offence Of Waller appears to have been the
securing of valuable concessions for the
United States, as regards to the rubber
industry Of the islands-an industry
which the French desire to monopolizc
Upon the pretext of the llimsy charge pre-
ferred against him, Waller was seized and
thrown into prison where he still remains.
If Waller has been guilty of breaking the
laws Of Madagascar, or of participating
directly or Indirectly In the war there,
he cannot expect the United States to
protect him from the consequences of his
folly. But, by all the usages of civilized
nations his government Is bound to see
that no obtains fair trial This is pre-
cisely what tho French government has
obstinately refused to accord Waller. 1t
does not appear to want the case investi-
gated. 1t must be borne distinctly In
mind that the rights assumed by the
French In Madagascar were never recog-
nized by the United States government.
In violation of the treaty rights enjoyed
by this country Waller was tried by court
martial and sentenced to twenty years
imprisonment and his family expelled
from the country. He was dcported to
France and is now In prison there. No
copy of the proceedings at the trial has
been furnished our government, and the
United States ambassador has been re-
fused permission even to see Waller No
definite information has been furnished
the public by the state department In
regard to the case, and from the length
of time that has elapsed 1t Is evident that
the Cleveland administration cares little
or nothing concerning Walters incarccra-
ton In French dungeon for practically
the remainder of his life.
The reason is obvious. The Cleveland
administration Is the incarnation of COW
ardice, and France is q large power. 1t
looks as II the present administration
were unable to enforce scintlla OF re-
spect for itself abroad and that the
wrongs Of American citizens abroad are
destined to go unredressed so long as 1t
remains in power. France treats It's just
demands for fair trial OF a United States
citizen with insolent contemplated the
state department cringingly accepts the
situation and refuses to act.
What contrast is afforded by the case
of James Dureel, a colored man from
Louisiana, who arrived in Honolulu In
September last He kept peanut stand
on corner Of the Queen Emma promises
and also hired out as cook. Because of
the color question, probably, he SYM
pathized with the dethroned Queen. He
was accused of reasonable utteranoes and
In the exciting times Of the Spreckels
flibustering expedition In January,
Dureel was among those arrested and
locked up. In February he was dis
charged with many others without trial
because. as is we'll known, the govern.
ment concluded to let the small fry &c
without further punishment. Dureel
concluded in April to make a claim fol
$4,000 damages because of his imprison
ment. He consulted Minister Willis ant
made on his affidavit, asserting that h,
had been injured to that extent. Minis
ter Willis made no inquiries. nor did h
say one word to the Hawaiian govern
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