The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-07-28
The Address He Would Have
Made 10 the Courtmartial.
iF he HAD BEEN PERMITTED
He Denies That He BETRAYED the
Military Plans of France.
Rut Admits That He Referred tn
Shameful Deeds of Individual
French soldiers He Declares He Is
Absolutely Innocent of the Charges.

Washington CITY. July g7-Ex- Consul
Waller has written letter TO his step-
son. Paul Bray enclosing copy OF the
remarks which he had expected 60 make
before the French eourt-nsrtial by which
he was tried in Tamatave. but which 10
appears he did not have an opportunity
20 deliver. Mr.. Walters letter Is dated
in the prison at Mar settles. June L. and
was received here a day or two since.
through the state department. The docu.
ment is as follows:
'@ro the Honorable Judge: DO noe
know whether word from the accused
will have very much weight with YOU or
not. but I thank YOU for the privilege cf
speaking In my own behalf
II am charged with having viola ed
article 49, of the penal code by corresponds
ing with thu enemy and giving him in
formation as TO the movements Of tho
French troops in this place This charge.
/ am sure, cannot he sustained nor be.
lieved by the honorable court. when Your
honors shall have made n careful aud
impartial examination Of the letters 70 my
wife. Mr.. Tessie and the Young Hova.
call the attention Of the court TO the fact
that in none Of these letters are any ot
the movements of the French army in
Madagascar or elsewhere mentioned nor
referred TO IN any way. IL seems TO me-
that this fact cannot he ignored or over
looked. This fact alone should warrant
an acquittal Of tho accused. because is
follows that in order TO violate the artt.
Gle OF the code under which | am charged
II must he clearly proven that the ac-
cused has correspouded with the enemy "a
the extent OF laying before him the naiii-
tary movements and operations OF the
army OF the republic. I maintain that
the letters now before your honor viii
admit of no such construction when
placed under a fair and impartial anaiy-
sis. which I am quite sure you will do in
this case.
''It will be found that refer in the let.
ters 70 my wife 10 certain wrongs done by
certain soldiers. who 7 do not name he
cause unable 10 do so. but the mention os
these has nothing TO do with the milit ary
operations OF the army. Indeed. I should
feel sorry 20 see an army moving in that
way. ! am sure your honors would not
hesitate TO condemn TO your wives and
friends in the strongest terms all such
deeds. Every gazette In France would
condemn such deeds, aud I believe nins
out OF ten French soldiers in your army
would denounce and condemn them. Why.
then. should be sent to prison for twenty
years for the mention OF these wrongs 10
my wife and friends?'
''The honorable Judges viii notice that
refer I'm tho letter 10 my wife TO two as
sa,lts i,pon me by certain soldiers whose
names j am unable TO give. As TO the
first OF these attacks, 7 informed the
French authorities through the United
States consul acting. Subsequently the
chief Of the French police called at my
house in Madagascar. Without the clear
establishment Of the charge. contend
that should not be imprisoned even for
a day.
'sI should not fail TO call the attention oe
the honorable judges TO the fact that I'm
all criminal matters. where one is on trial
charged with a grave offense all the cir
cumstances OF the case must be taken In
70 oraf the agpftQn1 piUgtr
the benefit of every reasonable doubt.
''The court viii sec all the extenuatinEs
circumstances surrounding the case.
Again. I maintain that the court should
ascertain as far as possible. the future
intentions of tho accused under "A charge
of this kind 10 find if possible whether ie
IS the intention of tho accused TO remain
here, and whether he has actual arrange
ments with the enemy TO assist thcuf
against the army of the republic The
letters and the evidence viii show this
contrary. which circumstances should h9
placed fra my faver IN coming 10 tudg-
ment in this case.
"rhe time OF nay departure from ths
capital September ,. 1884, must not be lost
sight ~ 7 explained the circumstances
Of Drapert and Pundy being with me. ana
showed how they had robbed me. and then
laughed about n. and they have been paid
money by me on contract which they
have never even attempted 20 perform.
which failure has resulted In loss 10 me
of more than tie0ao. II iE these men whnnr
I actually mean in my letter. and whsrr
I designated aa j.. and T.. having befb,rs
warned my wife against them. and men
toned them as u and Z. In posiscrfpt
30 the letter. While II r. clear tn me that
~ was indiscreet 10 make such mention
Of them. vet ] cannot believe that tbs
honorable court viii. after careful and
impartial examination of all the circum-
stances and facts Of this case decide that
/ have violated article Of the penal
code. France has always been noted for
her love OF Justice and liberty. and for
her broad and generous treatment ~ all.
OF whatever nationality, md heliev. In
the careful. deliberate Judgment and wis
dom of your honofs you will not close tbs
doors Of the world against man who has
never born. arms against YOU"