The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1895-08-21
CONSUL WALTERS CASE
AN ACCOUNT OF THE CAUSES
LEADING TO HIS IMPRlSON-
MENT BY FRANCE.
MR.. WOOOF0RD'S STATEMENT.

MR.. W00DF0RD'S STATEMENT.
The Sole Evidence Against him was
Embodied in Letters to his Wife
Wherein the Occupation of Madagas-
car by the French was Discussed and
Description Given of Alleged Out
RACES upon Women--H urriedIy Tried
and Sentenced tor 20 Years.
LONDON, Aug. 20.-Fresh interest is
added to the case of ex United States
Consul John L Waller at Tamatave,
Madagascar, by the presence here of Mr..
Ethe bert Woodford, who assisted Mrs.
Waller and children out Of Madagascar
after her husband had been sentenced to
imprisonment for 20 years by court
martial, for alleged illegal communica-
ton with the Hoyas against whom the
French are waging war.
Mr.. Woodford went to Madagascar
last February on business with the Hova
government. Mr.. Woodford, while
there, lent aid to the family of the Uni
ted States Consul. He has arrived here
upon his return and has had an inter
view with a representative of the Asso-
ciated Press.
Mr.. Woodford states, that upon his
arrival at Tamatave he found Mr.. Waller
in prison. According to Mr.. Woodford,
the sole evidence against the ex consul
was embodied in letters to his wife, and
from Hova friend, wherein the occupa-
ton of Madagascar by the French was
discussed, and description given OF al
legged outrages upon women.
Mr.. Woodford declares, however, that
the real cause for the French action
against Consul Waller is that he had oh
tanned valuable concessions from the
Hovas, and that Mr.. Waller had re-
ceived his exequatur from the Hovas
government, though opposed by the
French who hold the right to determine
who shall be the consul at Tamatave.
On May 18th last, says Mr.. Woodford,
ex-Consul Waller was hurriedly tried
and sentenced.
"At the time | was in Madagascar, "
said Mr.. Woodford, Edward T. Wetter,
of Georgia, was in charge of the United
States Consulate at Tamatave, and was
his guest for a month | was naturally
interested in affairs of the consulate and
saw all the correspondence of the United
States government with reference to the
Waller case The Americans were
naturally much interested and we thor
oughly discussed the matter, but there
was no American gunboat near and no
protection of any kind. Nothing
remained for the Americans to do but
submit to the action of the French
and report the occurrences to Wash
ington, which was done. AS to the
report, however, if my information is
correct, there will be serious trouble, as
| understand the report was not received
at Washington. | then went direct to
Antananarivo, and found that Mrs.
Waller and four children were in state
of restitution and living on the charity
of Hova friends. | assisted them, and
when | was leaving took the family
with me to the coast and got aboard the
steamer for MauritIus, where we landed
almost penniless.
"The heavy additional expense of res
cuing the Waller family was unexpected 4
me. / could not, however, do otherwise.
There were grown up gifis in the family
and / knew the fate that would be in
store for them when the French should
occupy the capitol.
con the journey overland toVattaman-
dry, which is 20 miles south If Tama-
taYe, seven days were required. Our
party consisted of 80 Oarriewe, Mr.. and
Mrs. Waller and myself There was no
incident on the journey, owing to the
Hovas being friendly to myself and to
Waller.
II did not land at Tamatave as Mr..
Wetter had warned me that the French
were seeking me and would shoot me if
they could catch me oMing to my visit to
the capitol, where they knew | had been
in communication with the Hova gov
eminent and he army officials.
81 left the island of Mauritius and came
on here via Paris, at which latter place
communicated all knew Of the case to
United States Ambassador Eustis,
through whom am informed, the Uni
ted States government have sent to Ma
rautius for Mrs. Waller, who sails from
there to day and who viii come to
Paris.
Mr.. Woodford adds to the above that
the French in Madagascar are mere fill
busters and are committing frequent
high handed outrages. All mails both
from and to the island are inspected by
French officials, especially letters to and
from the United States. Mr.. Woodford's
own mail, he says, was opened while he
was there.
Hoods Pills become the favorite ca
thartic with every one who tries them.
25c. per box.