The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-08-23
The State Department Hard at
Work in His Behalf.
FRENCH CONDUCT OUTRAGEOUS
Release and Indemnity 10 Re Insisted
on by United States.
The Ey-Con~al Imprisoned Because Of
HIS Property Rights Held by Grant
From the Natives-Minister Eustis
Permitted 10 see the Convict.

Washington CITY. Aug c1-The follow
ing is given in official circles as n fair
statemen. .-pf the Waller case. so far as
the facts have been reported 10 the United
States:
There is ~ siouhi that. while IN a conn.,
try occupied IN the French. Mr.. Waller
wrote letters 10 people that the French
were opposing. These letters were traced
10 him. and were made the preteXt for his
arrest and conviction. This arrest and
conviction were not regular. His trial was
not fair. and during his imprisonment.
both before and after conviction. he VAS
treated with great harshuess. He was
brought 10 France chained to the deck ct
a steamer. and, though ili and suffering.
he was treated with harshness. He was i'm
prisoned without proper cause. The French
government has not explained in any sat-
isfactory manner the irregular arrest and
trial 10 has been attempted 20 excuse 10
hy saying that in time OF war military
courts are different from civil proceed
ings in time Of peace. but this explana-
tion in the opinion OF the United States.
does not meet the case. and in tho opinion
of the state department there is strong
probability that Walters treatment WAS
due to the concessions he claimed in Mad
agaScar. When the case was FIRST present.
ed 10 the department OF state 10 itsappeared
that there was little that could be dene
for Waller. The frst evidence furnished
by the French government Of Walters in
discretions made his case look doubtful.
but later Developments. including the fail
ure OF the French government 10 explain
the irregular proceedings of the trial ard
tho unnecessarily harsh and inhuman
treatment Of the prisoner aud the demon
strated fact that Waller had some equity
rights az least in Madagascar. made his
case appear IN a far better light. In view
OF what has come 20 light as result OF
later inquiries, IL is held that the United
States has good grounds for demanding
Walters release and indemnity for his
wrongs
Acting Secretary OF State Adee says
that information has been received
from Arnbass ador Eustis. in response to
the general instructions eabled him three
weeks ago. that the record Of the pro-
ceedings and evidence in the court martial
of Waller AT Tamatave is expected TO
reach Paris toward the end Of this month.
Eustis also reports that access 10 Waller
has been accorded him. after repeated and
urgent request. The department not hav-
ing been advised whether Eustis had taken
advantage of this permission, Adee iu-
structed him BY telegraph 10 do so ar once.
Mr. Adee adds that this result. reached
after repeated telegraphic instructions.
shows the constant activity OF the de-
partment in Mr. Walters case. and II is
hoped that the production Of the evidence
before the couri-nlartiaf viii enable ihe
department 20 form judgment touching
the conviction Of Mr.. Waller The inter-
national right of this government TO de-
mand the evidence on which conviction
was reached. in order that IL may deter
mine its action. is unquestionable and IL
fortified by abundant precedent. In the
case of the American citizens lately tried
by court-martlai in Honolulu on charges
Of treason to the government or the Ha-
waiian republic the proceedings of the
court were asked and the documents wers
promn.iy furnished. The delay of the
French government In responding TO the
first demand Of the United States In Mr..
Walters case has not fully been explained.
although Il was alleged that the record or
the proceedings of the court which tried
him remained In Tamatave. notwithstana-
ing that our consul at that place was In
formed on April II that II had already az
that date been sent 10 France and that
tho delay has been occasioned by the ne
cessity OF sending for II.
The department has no later information
Of the movements OF Mrs. Waller and her
four children since the dispatch of Con-
sal Campbell at Port Luis. Mauritius. an
nounciug that under the departments
cabled instructions 10 provide them with
passage home. they were 20 sail from that
place for France on the 2oth Of this month.
on their way to the United States. Mr..
Eustis has been instructed 10 take care oc
Mrs Waller and the children on their ar
rival in France and 70 furnish them with
passage to the United States by steamer.
Paris Aug. "A Eemi-official note was
issued today. saying ~ is fnexact that the
United States government has demanded
the release Of John l.. Waller ard payment
OF indemnity on account Of his sentence OF
twenty years imprisonment by eourt-mar-
tial in Madagascar whore Waller was for
rnerIy United states consul
The Temps publishes . letter from Ta-
rrlatave Madagascar. which SAYS the
French arc incenscd AT the commander os
the American gunboat Castine for refis-
ing 10 salute the garrison and 20 accord
other customary courteses. on the ground
that America has not recognized tho
French rrotactorate. The Americans have
caused irritation by persistiug I'm a per-
eoraI investigation Of tho Waller case.
THE Tamataye letter adds that the COM
nander % the Castiue consulted tho
United States consul in not saluting tbs
garrison.