New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-11-19
OLNEY;S OFFER REJECTED.
A NEW AND INTERESTING DEVELOPMENT
IN THE WALLER CASE


LEASE or HER HUSBAND ON THE TERMS
PROPOSED by THE STATE DEPART
MEXT-rHE RECORD NOT YET
RECEIVED FROM FRANCE.
fny ~ SGRAPH THE TRiBu.El
Washington Nov. ia new feature OF the
Waller case was made known today by Mrs. Wal
Ter. wife of the unfortunate ex-Consul. now lying
in a French dungeon suffering for clothing and
the nccessariea Of nfe. Mrs. Waller states that
she has been approached indirectly by the state
Department With a proposition looking to the re-
lease OF her husband as matter of grace and
the waving Of any claim on the French Govern
ment for ar indemnity for his imprisonment suca
a settlement not to nterfe.- with have any
bearing o. his property rights IN Madagascar ac-
CURED before the French occupation Of the island
in accordance with the treaty between the United
States and Madagascar. and, therefore perfectly
valid. Mrs. Waller was to have d consultation
with her counsel and consider this proposition
She has decided however. not to accept any such
offer. which is the more remarkable from the fact
that the French Foreign Office has made no offer
OF THAI nature or any other TO release her hus-
band.
This idea Of the settlement OF the now famous
Waller case seems h. have originated in the State
Department here Now that the has grown
to such Importance. it Is evident that the De-
partment is seeking an easy way out. and II is
proposed TO write 20 Mr.. Waller or have Ambassa-
dor Eusiis him IN prison and lay before him
the whole situation and secure his decision as to
whether he desires or wculd accept his release
matter Of grace and at the same time waive all
rights t. an indemnity Mrs. Waller is bitterly
opposed to this, she feels that 1t would be taxi
ing unfair advantage Of a man in a feeble and
dying state to ask him to decide intelligently
such question. Mr. Waller is extremely Ill, and
II approached on the subject Of his freedom might
be induced to make any sacrifice for the sake Of
liberty.
Mrs. Waller gives as a reason for the efforts OF
the State Department to settle the matter in some
such way that the French Government has fatty
refused to comply with the demand OF Secretary
Olney for certified copy OF the record II in
sists that this county has no right to demand the
record but that II might be produced wholly "a
matter Of courtesy. The Department Is. there
fore, greatly embarrassed by this rebuke and
rather than confront the issue or recall the de-
mand and pat it in the form OF request. Secre-
tary O,ney would prefer that Mrs. Waller and her
far:ilv. as well as Mr. Waller, should accept his
liberty on any terms Mrs. Waller is DESTROYS
that NJ. Waller should be set free by any means.
but feels that IL IL unjust and unreasonable 10
take advantage OF her situation az well as Of
Mr. Waller ir his feeble condition to secure their
consent to such action. The case. she thinks.
should be left entirey IN the hands Of the state
Department and whatever action is consistent
with Mr.. Walters best interests should be taken
on the Departments own responsibility.
There seems To be desire on the part of the
Administration 10 get this case out OF the way
before Congress meets next month. Tho public
has beer deceived into The idea that the Waller
record here, but this new turn OF the cage
brings out the fact that 1t has never been in the
possession Of the Department. though IL arrived
in Paris about September a. and that there is no
intention on the part Of the French Government
to produce the lOng-expected record without
which II is difficult 10 sec how the Department
can take any definite action in the premises or
decide whether NJ. Waller has been justly or un-
Justly imprisoned.