The record-union., 1895-05-27
EN-CONSUL WALLER.
Interview With His Stepson RegaI
ing His arrest In Madagascar.

Interview With His stepson Regard
ing His arrest In Madagascar.
WASHINGTON, May 26.-A reporter for
the Associated Press secured an inter-
view with Paul Bray, the stepson of ex-
Consul Waller, concerning his and his
stepfather's trouble in Madagascar.
'The French" he said, "claim author
ity over the foreign affairs of the island
under the treaty Of 1885, which gave them
the right to represent Madagascar in its
foreign relations. but not in any way to
interfere with tho management of the in
ternaI affairs Of the country. They have
since maintained French resident at
Tamatave, which is the Capital, while
the European nations and the United
States have kept only Consuls there. The
French representative has claimed that
under this treaty France was entitled TO
exercise protectorate over the island,
and, among other prerOgatlves.s has de-
1nanded that he be allowed to issue exc
uuaturs 10 the representatives OF other
foreign Governments.
'Mr. Waller was appointed by Presi-
dent Harrison and when he arrived at
the Capital the French representative
made the demand that Waller should re-
ceive his badge OF authority from him.
knowing that the natives or Hovas re-
sisted this claim Of the French and placed
different Interpretation upon the treaty,
Mr.. Waller resisted this demand and
accepted his exequatur from the natives.
"When Mr.. Waller's term of office ex-
pired, and be sought to secure conces-
sion Of lands from the native Govern
ment, the French authorities opposed
him in every way. Mr.. Waller's homo is
at Tananarivo, which is about 225 miles
inland from Tamatave, but he was at the
latter place on business connected with
his concession when he was placed under
arrest. Being Interested with him in the
concession, l went to Maurltius In May,
1891, but l was followed by written and
printed representations of the situation
sent out by the French authorities, char
acterizing the grant as fraudulent, and in
every way calculated to prejudice our
enterprise"
Mr.. Bray says that when Mr.. Waller
was arrested March 9Th he Bray was
sitting in Mr.. Waller's house engaged in
a game Of draughts, when the building
was surrounded by halt-dOzen French
gendarmes. Waller was not in, but Bray
undertook to find him, and succeeded in
doing so. Waller was then told by the Of
ficer in charge of the squad that he had
an order from the military commander Of
the post for his arrest and the conhsca-
ton of his papers, but upon his request
that he be allowed to SEQ the order this
was refused, and he was taken to prison,
not, however. until the house had been
ransacked, and not only Mir. Wailer's
papers, but Bray's also taken possession
Of by the French officials.
Bray then reported the entire proceed
ings to United States Consul Wetter. The
latter Immediately asked an explanation,
which, according to Bray, was very
vague 1t was to the effect that Mr..
Waller had violated the French treaty in
attempting to conduct correspondence
outside of Tamatave without permitting
it TO pass through French hands. Waller
was kept in prison fifteen days without
being permitted TO see anyone, and when
his trial, which was before court-mar-
tial, was at last concluded in three hours,
only twenty-five minutes was taken for
the preparation OF the verdict, which,
seeing that instrument covered ten or tif-
teen pages OF mauuscriDt, Mr.. Bray
thinks the evidence was made out in ad-
vance.
Explaining the letter on which the
charges were based, Bray says it was adj
dressed to Waller's wife, who was at the
capital, and was composed largely OF do
mestic matters. There was but one refer
enee in it to the French Hova affairs. and
this was a suggestion that Mrs. Waller
should put tie Hova authorities on their
guard against two Americans who were
on their way to the capital.
MIR. Bray says he has been assured by
the State Department authorities here and
by Minister Eustis in Paris that his and
Walters claims shall be vigorously
pressed.