The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1895-07-27
'IHR TARDY FRENCHNEN
The Waller Court Martial Records
Still Withheld.
MAY MAKE PBRBMPToRY DEMAND

Oar Government VIII Not submit Much
Longer to the Dnatory Frenohmen, and
the Case May Yet Lead to Serious In
ternationaI Complications.
WASHINGTON, July 27-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.
1t is now learned definitely that the
French government refused to furnish the
record upon the first presentation of the
request, and that this refusal was met on
the part of the state department. by a more
positive and pressing demand for all the
papers.
The department is informed by Ambas-
sador Eustis that his demand has been
presented to the French authorities. There
has been quite sufficient time for q 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 it "a be done
under diplomatic usage.
The course of the French in their re-
fusal to supply the record is considered
most unusual, and as no explanation OF
the decision was vouchsafed, the depart
ment is at a loss to know upon what
grounds it was based. 1t is customary when
q government asks for the evidence upon
which one of its citizens has been CON
victed and sentenced to furnish q copy OF
the record, especially when the trial has
been by a military court and in q 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 OF denied its citizens
1t is presumed that if the refusal is per
sisted in and an explanation Is made IN
response to the renewed demand, it will
be based upon the conclusiveness of the
trial by the French court martial, but
Mr.. Kennedy, Walters senior counsel, as
serts that the precedents against this pc
sition are beyond question.
The superstition is gaining ground that
Frances refusal to furnish the record is
due to a desire not to give publicity tx
revelations made in the letters from
Waller, which were intercepted by th'
French authorities, concerning the mis-
l COlluuCUo VI bOlA0 Vi bAO ~ ANAOA
In letters which have been received herr
from Waller within the past few days b.
reveals the fact that in his letters to hi
wife he informed her of various outrage
committed upon the native women o
Tamatave, and gives such a circumstan
tial account of these proceedings as to re
fleet on the French soldiery in Madagas
car III a way which the French authoritie
might not desire to see published to tn
world.
There is good reason for believing tina
, in case of a second refusal by France &
supply the record a third demand will b
made, which will be peremptory. 1t i
> not believed, however, that this ste
would be taken in the absence of Seeretar
: Olney, as it is probable that if made i
might lead TO serious international CON
plications.
+, The state department authorities con
, slider the case as one of importance, be
cause it is liable to develop some very de,
, icate and intricate questions before
shall be finally disposed of. 1t is know
o that Secretary Gresham took this view c
o it, and 1t is believed that while he has nc
had occasion to go into the details to tn
I extent that his predecessor did, Mr., Olne
also feels that it is a matter of extrem
gravity.
Kansas Governor Appeals for Waller.
TOPEKA, Kan, July Ex-Governor Mo
d rill has addressed "a letter to Preside1
Cleveland, again calling the attention
y the federal government to the imprisol
ment of Ex-Consul John L. Waller b
4 the French government. He says: "rH
people of our state feel that a great on
n a g has been perpetrated upon oneof /
q, citizens. 1t is not a question Of race
70 color-it is a question of American cit
zenship-and through me the people
our state appeal to you to take immedia
y and active measures to secure justice
D, our fellow citizen" Congressman Curr
=, has sent another telegram to Secretary
U State Olney on the subject, saying tn