The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-04-23
WALLER'S HARD LINES.
He Will Serve n Long Sentence ON q
Lonely Island.

Lonely Island.
MARsEILLEs. April 2,.-Captain John
Waller, formerly United States consul at
Tamatave, Madagascar, recently SEN
fenced by French court martial to inn
prisonment for 20 years. and who, as ex-
ciusively announced in the associated
press, arrived here Saturday on board the
steamer Djemnah. is attracting consider
able attention, IN view OF the fact that IL
has been announced that United States
Ambassador Eustis has been instructed
to inquire into the matter. Waller was
manacled when on board the Djemnah,
but was allowed to take two hours exer-
else every day on the deck, guarded by
soldiers.
Upon his arrival here he was lodged In
jail and it is reported he will eventu-
ally be imprisoned on the island of Cor
sica.
During the voyage Waller frequently
asked to be allowed to write. The French
officials declined to grant his request on
account OF his refusal to show them the
letter he intended to write.
When before the court martial. IL is
claimed, Waller refused to talk in French,
and the services of an interpreter had to
be employed. Walters nephew, 25 years of
age, is said to be implicated in the pro-
ceedngs which led to his uncle's condem-
nation, and was condemned to expulsion
from Madagascar. He embarked as a Sec
ond class passenger on board the Diem
nah, but landed at Zanzabar without hay-
inG been able to communicate with his
uncle. For the present Waller is incar-
cerated at Fort St. Nicholas, at this
port. 1t is thought that he will again be
called upon to appear before the court
martial.
PARIS, April "a correspondent of the
Ismpes at Tamatave, island of Madagas-
car, states that John L. Waller, formerly
United States consul, was indicted on
two charges, namely: Violation of the
order of the French admiralty, governing
correspondence, and secondly, writing to
the enemy. The evidence, the correspond
ent adds. shows Waller entrusted to an
officer of the steamboat a bulky letter
which was posted at Natal, addressed to
IN. Tescer, merchant, Antanavivo, via
Vatomandry."
Unfortunately, it appears English mail
was not dropped at Vatomandry, but was
landed at Tamatave, where the envelope
attracted the attention of the authorities,
who opened it and found itcontainsdF pSsvl
ticulars regarding the strength of the
French garrison, the number OF sick, the
importance of outposts, and also an en-
closed address to Waller's friend, Z.
Underwood Harvey, editor of the NADIA
gascar Netcs, asking him to insert it in
that paper. This enclosure, il is said,
contained abomniable calumnies regard
ing the conduct of French soldiers at
Madagascar, and denounced two OF Wal
ler's compatriots, honorable American
FrNnr hnr fo rh<.xw
as spies in the pay of France.
The trial of Waller lasted only three
hours and three quarters. Waller ap-
pealed, but the sentence was confirmed.
According to the correspondent of the
Tempes, it was a son-in-law of Waller
Paul Bray, q native of Texas, not his
nephew. who accompanied him on board
the Djemnah. Bray was expelled from
Madagascar for constant hostility to the
French authorities aud soldiers, and for
with his father-in law in COM
with tho enemy. He was
handed over to the American consul at
Zanzibar.
United States Ambassador Eustis to-
day denied he had received instructions
from Washington to investigate the case
of ex-Consul Waller.
ToULoN, April 22.-M. Hanes, the mar
inc commissary general, by whose order
John L. Waller, formerly United States
consul ut Tamateve, was confined in Fort
St. Nicholas at Marseilles, notified the
procureur de la publique this afternoon of
the disposition made of the prisoner. The
procureur Immediately ordered Mr.. Wal
Ter to be transferred to the civil prison at
st. Pierre. where he will await the decis-
ion of the prisons board of France as 10
where the sentence is to be carried out.
Mr.. Waller is condemned to 20 years de-
Iention in prison, but not at hard labor.
When in prison he will not be treated with |
rigor. as his crime is regarded as being a
political offense.