Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-07-22
Little Progress in His Case Made by
the State Department.
MINISTER EUSTIS EMBARRASSMENT
He Fails to Get information From
the French Government.
HIS TEPS SON II E r E

The negotiations with the French govern
ment respecting the case of ex-United
States Consul Waller, who is now under
confinement In French jail at Marseilles.
are in a most unsatisfactory shape, and
this. too, in spite of the best efforts of the
State Department. exerted through Am
bassador Eustis, to secure justice for Wal
ler 1t is becoming vident that If any
thing is to be accomplished. 1t will be only
by the display of NUN more determined
stand than has yet been assumed by our
government. Letters received here from
the prisoner show that he is stu a SICK x
nan, suffering from congestive chllls, ana
Is much weakened and deDlntated from
his confinement and the change in climate
from Madagascar, where he was arrested,
and France. where he is imprisoned ms
stepson. Paul Bray, who was deporteo from
Madaga at the time of Walters de-
portaton, was at the State Department To-
day seeking for information as to the in
tentions of this government, and TO convey
such news as he had received from ms 9n- IN
fortunate stepfatner. He says that his
mother, who is still in Madagascar. Is In
poverty, and that steps are being taken to
bring her to the United States.
Pressure on the Department.
Great pressure has been brought to bear
upon the State Department to induce 1t to
secure justice for Waller. and many promi-
nent men have interested themselves In
the case. The two Senators from Kansas,
Of which state Waller is a citizen. have
been particularly energetic. and Senator
Martin has called in person at the state
Department to urge prompt action. Some
of the New England Senators have also
taken part in The representations in Wall
ler's favor. and one Of them, Senator Gal
linger, has secured a formal disclaimer Of
the report that The department had aban-
doned the prosecution of the case. The de-
partment some time ago instructed Mr..
Eustis our ambass at Paris. to make
a thorough investigation of Wallers case.
to see him, and to procure a copy of the
record of the court-martial showing the
evidence upon which Waller suffered the
extraordinarily evere sentence of confine-
ment for twenty years. The ambassador
has not been very successful in executing
his instructions, though it appears that he
has done all in his power to carry them
out.
Mr.. Euxtis' Embarrassment.
For one thing. the French government
has absolutely refused the ambassador the
right to see Waller personally. a very extra
ordinary attitude to assume where the
rights of an American citizen are con-
cerned. Then, it has so far failed to supply
the ambassador with the desired copy of
the court-:nartial record in order that our
government might satisfy itself of the suffi-
cheney of the evidence upon which Waller
was convicted At first it was alleged that
1t was delayed by the necessity of procur-
ing the record from the court in Madagas-
car, but the time which has elapsed since
the request was preferred is believed to
have been more than ample to secure such
record, and the department has nothing
fer its guidance but a bare synopsis of the
charge and the sentence. it is said by Wal
lerS friends here, who are acquainted with
what took place at the court-martial. that
as a matter of fact there was no record of
testimony, that there was no reporter, that
of the three witnesses who were examined
at least one. and the~most important, was
not sworn or identified, and that altogether
the proceedings We're extremely irregular
and a travesty upon justice. The fact that
Mr.. Eustfs has as yet been unable to Sc
weight to these statements. In addition to
the necessity for pressing for Wallers re-
lease, the State Department will have to
look after his concession.
Mr.. Walters Concession.
These are not necessarily connected, for
according to the departments view. regard
less of what part Waller may have taken
In the struggle of the Hovas against the
French. his concession must be maintained
for the benefit of his family If his original
title was good, which is assumed to be the
case. Then as to Faul Bray. Walters step
son. it is clear that he was deported from
Madagascar and suffered hardships without
the vestige of a trial or any legal proceed
ing. and as he is full-fedged American
citizen this must form the subject of de-
mand for redress. Altogether the case is
one threatening to hold out many diff
culties in the way of an amicable adjust
ment, but in view of the pressure which Is
being exerted upon the State Department
1t may be assumed that it will endeavor to
do so before Congress meets again, and the
subject is further complicated by instruc-
tions from the legislative branch similar to
those which formed the basis of action in
the Nora case.