The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-04-21
WALLER IN FRANCE
The Ex-COnsul Taken to Serve
His Long Sentence.
UNITED STATES TO INQUIRE.
II the Matter IL a. Waller Says. France
VIII Be Compelled TO Pay .
Round Indemnity.

Marseliies, April 2o.-The steamship
Dtemmah, from the island OF Nadagas-
car. has arrived here. having on board
John Waller, formerly United States con-
sui at Tamataye. who was recently tried
by court martial and sentenced to twenty
years imprisonment on the charge OF
having been spy In the interests OF the
Hovas.
Washington City. April o-Whiie the
action by the French government VIII
only add 10 the amount OF indemnity 1t
Will be called upon TO pay, should Mr..
Walters friends show that the charge up
on which he was sentenced - haseiess.
tt viii still facilitate the efforts OF the
state department TO fully develop the
facts In the case as il can now conmuni-
cate directly with United States Ambas-
sador Eustis. instead OF being obliged 10
adopt the tedious course of acting
through an inferior consular officer at
Madagascar, out OF reach by cable CON-
munieatton.
Mr.. Eustis has been Instructed 10 pur-
sue the matter 10 an end. and 10 make a
most thorough examination OF all the
facts attending the punishment or this
American consul. He Will also make
special examination into the legality, I'M
der treaty stiphat tons. of the trial OF
citizen OF friendly nation by court-mar-
fial instead of by the regular civil tri-
soluteiy essential. Moreover. the case in
wolves the right OF France to exercise
Jurisdiction over the internal affairs or
Madagascar, from which she appears TO
have been expressly excluded by the
treaty OF 1885.
There can Re no doubt that the Waller
incident will be one OF the most difficult
that this administration has had to con-
tend with In its treatment of foreign az
fairs. and that fact is fully realized here.
The principles involved are of the utmost
Importance. and should the statements of
Walters friends be well founded, the gov
eminent of the United States under no
circumstances can admit the correctness
OF French officials without thereby adj
hitting its indisposition or inability to
protect our citizens In foreign countries
from oppression and ill-treatment.
The information reaching Washington
gives the details of the charge under
which Waller was convicted as spy.
The French soldiers had determined
TO make a descent on one of
the large Hovas towns. II was 10
be a night attack. and was intended TO
be decisive stroke. The arrangements
for the movement were guarded with the
utmost secrecy. In some way, however.
Waller learned OF the movement, and Is
said to have conveyed full Information to
the Hovas. The latter quickly armed the
threatened towns so that when the
French soldiers appeared they were met
by an effective resistance. Instead OF
taking the place by surprise. they found
every one alert 10 the attack. The alleged
treachery was closely investigated, and IL
was claimed, traced 10 Waller. Aside from
the chagrin TO which the French forces
were put by having their plans miscarry,
IL is said to have seriously delayed the
progress OF the French expedition In Mad
agascar.
The French ambassador at Washington
has not yet been Informed OF the Waller
proceedings. Mr.. Gresham is dealing with
the French minister OF foreign affairs
through our minister at Paris.