The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-04-22
WALLER MANACLED
He Was Kept in Irons on the
French Ship.
They Didn't Even Allow Him to
Write a Letter.
WALLER is STURRORN.
WALLER is STUBBORN.
Refuses to Speak French Re
quiring an Interpreter.
Great Interest Taken in the Case
in France.

MARsEI1LEs April 22-The case of
Mr. John L Waller formerly United
States consul at Tamatave, island of NADIA
gascar who was recently sentenced by a
French court martial to imprisonment
for twenty years and who, as exclusively
announced by the Associated Press ar
rived here on Saturday last on board the
steamer Djemnah, is attracting consider
able attention in view of the fact that 1t
has been announced that the United
States ambassador at Paris, Mr.. James
b Eustis, has been instructed to inquire
into the matter.
MIR. Waller was manacled while on
board the Djemnah on the northwest
coast of the island of Madagascar But
from that part of the island he was al
lowed to take two hours exercise daily
on deck, guarded by soldier.
Upon arrival here he was lodged IN
Jail, and it is reported that he will
eventually be imprisoned on the island
of Corsica or the Safety isles. During
the voyage Mr.. Waller spoke but little,
although he frequently asked to be al
lowed permission to write.
The French officials declined to grant
request on account of his refusal to agree
to show them letter he intended to
write When before the court martial
Mr. Waller, it is claimed refused to
speak in French and the services of an
Interpreter had to be employed during
the taial.
Mr. Waller's nephew, who is 25 years
of age, is said to be implicated in the
proceedings which led to his uncle's ar
rest, trial and condemnation and the
young man was condemned to expulsion
from the island of Madagascar.
He embarked as a second class pas
senger on board the Djemnah, but landed
at Zanzibar without having been able TO
communicate with his uncle. For the
present MIR. Waller is incarcerated in the
| prison at Fort st. Nicholas at this
port. 1t is thought probable that he will
again be called upon to appear before
Il court martial
The correspondent of the Tempts at
Tamative, Island of Madag gascar, states
that John L. Waller, formerly United
States consul at that place, was indicted
on two charges-namely violation of an
order of the French admiralty govern-
ing correspondence, and secondly,
writing to the enemy.
The evidence the correspondence adds,
showed that Mr.. Waller entrusted to an
officer of a steamboat a bulky letter
which was posted at Natal and which
was addressed to mi. Tescera, Merch-
ami, Antananarivo via Vatomandry" I'm
fortunately it appears the 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 that it con-
tanned particulars regarding the strength
of the French garrison, the number of
sick and the importance of the outposts,
| etc
The envelope, it is further stated, also
contained an enclosure addressed to Mr..
Walters friend, E. Underwood Harvey,
editor of the Madagascar News asking
| the latter to insert it in that paper.
This enclosure it is stated contained
abominable calumnies regarding the
conduct of the French soldiers on the
Island of Madagascar and denounced
two of Mr. Walters compatriots, honor
| able American merchants who were GO
ing to Antananarivo as being spies in the
pay of France.
The trial of Mr.. Waller, continues the
correspondent OF the Temps, only lasted
three hours and three quarters. at the
end of which time he was condemned to
twenty years imprisonment Mr.. Wal
ler appealed against this sentence, but it
was eventually confirmed According
to the correspondent of the Temps, il
was the son-in-law of Mr.. Waller, Paul
Bray a native of Texas, and not his
nephew. who accompanied him on board
the Djemnah.
Bray, it is added, was expelled from
the island of Madagascar for constant
hostility to the French authorities and
troops and for completely with his father
in-law in communicating with the
enemy. Bray, it is stated in conclusion,
was handed over to the American consul
at Zanzibar.
PARIS, April 22.-The United States
ambassador Hon. James B. Eustis in ar
interview today denied that he had re-
ceived instructions from Washington tC
investigate the case of ex-Consul Wal