The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-05-08
FRANCEDEPORTSWALLER
An Ex-United States Consul on Trial
for Conspiracy.
STATE DEPARTMENTS ACTION.

John L. Waller, a Colored Man, Formerly
Citizen of Kansas, Sentenced to
Twenty Years imprisonment in Mad
agascar and Then Removed to France
Under a Strong Guard of Troops.
The steamship Djemmah, from the Island
Of Madagascar, arrived at Marseilles, France,
having on board, under guard. John l.. Wal
Ter, an American citizen, formerly United
States Consul at Tamatave, who was recent
y tried by court-martial and sentenced to
twenty years imprisonment, on the charge
Of having been a spy in the interest Of the
Hovas.
A despatch from Washington says: The
case of ex-Consul Waller has assumed a
more serious aspect The State Department
has been informed that this American has
been sent from Madagascar to France
under a strong guard. Waller was tried In
Madagascar by q French court martial
on the charge Of having furnished informa-
hon to the Hovas Of a contemplated at
tack by French troops on the village OF
Bohamafy, on March 2. He was sentenced
10 twenty years Imprisonment in Malagasy
| prison, according to the reports which have
been in circulation, and the action OF the
French Government In deporting him to
France, while considered O gross outrage by
State Department authorities, will doubtlessly
aid them in their efforts to obtain redress.
The President was informed of this turn OF
affairs by Secretary Gresham, and after dis
cussing the subject, 1t was decided to in
struct Ambassador Eustis, the diplomatic
representative of the United States in Paris.
to see Waller Immediately upon his arrival
In France and obtain full, clear statement
from him. Unless the information already
at hand Is refuted by subsequent evidence,
demand for Wailer's release and an indem-
nifty for the injuries he has suffered will be
made.
The action Of France in deporting Waller
from Madagascar has created considerable
comment In Administration circles, and
In consequence strong feeling Is growing
that there Is, after all, a great deal OF truth
In the report that Waller was arrested,
tried and sentenced so as to permit the
French to confscate his immense con-
cession OF land, made to him by the Howas.
This concession Is Of great value, being
heavily wooded with india rubber and other
trees. The French energetically protested
against its cession to Waller and woudn never
recognize its legality.
government nus uClu.
notably in cases arising in Central America,
that an American citizen cannot be dispos-
Bessed OF concession so long as he COM
plies with its terms. by any revolution in the
government of country where 1t may be
situated.
The case Is very much complicated by the
charge that the French have maltreated mr.
Waller. At the French Embassy it is held
that the action Of the French officers was
perfectly iustifable.
If the address Of Embassador Eustis be-
fore the American Society in London can be
considered to indicate the position he will
take in the Waller case, he will doubtless do
all in his power to bring about vigorous
demand from the Government OF the United
States for an apology and for reparation from
the French Governmet.
It is suggested that Ambassador Eustis
may have had in mind the French oper-
ations in Madagascar when he referred in
his speech to the action Of Europe in ''par-
ceiling out countries as she would cake.
It Is pointed out that this language,
thouen not applied by him to any one
particular Nation. may have been prompt
cd by the events in connection with the
Madagascar expedition which have come un-
der his observation as watcher OF events IN
the French capital, and that he may enter
upon his investigations OF the Waller case
impressed with the belief that the entire
course Of France in that island has been un-
Justified. and that any injury that an Ameri-
can citizen may have suffered should be re-
paired.