New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-03-24
NEW CASE IN MADAGASCAR
EX-CONSUL WALLER SENTENCED BY a
FRENCH COURTMARTIAL.

CONDEMNED TO TWENTY YEARS IMPRIsoN-
MENT-rHIs GOVERNMENT WILL PROB
ABLY PROTEST. IF THE STORY
IS FOUND TO BE TRUE
London. March 23-The United Press CORE
spondent in Paris says:
A dispatch dated at Tamatave. March 20 Tor
Warded via Port Louis. says that John l.. Waller,
formerly United States Consul at Tamatave. mas
heon sentenced by a French court martial 10
twenty years imprisonment The accusation
against him was that he conspired with the
Hovas against the French authorities.
Washington, March 23.-lnformation mas Deen
received here that John L. Waller, formerly
United States Consul at Tamatave. Madagascar,
has been tried before court-nartial by the
French military authorities, found guilty or nav
ing been in correspondence with the Hovas ana
sentenced to twenty years imprisonment.
State Department officials are or the opinion
that the French Government has exceeded its
authority in trying and sentencing Mr.. waller
for completely in the uprising OF the native Hovas
against French authority. This is OF course upon
the supposition that the information is correct
Of which State Department officials say they
have no knowledge In such case. this Govern
ment following precedent. will probably protest
against the manner Of Mr. Walters conviction.
provide that "A citizen of the United States, ar
rested for completely In instruction, shali De
tried by "A civil court unless he IL captured WIN
arms in his hands. in when case ne may pr
tried by cOurt-Inartill.
only last week the State Department secured
from Spain an acknowledgment Of TINS principe
IN the case OF General Sanguilly, a naturaiiZed
United States citizen. arrested Tor cOiIpilcity III
the present Cuban rebellion Mr.. Williams tne
United States Consu-General at Havana. pro-
tested against the expressed intention or Trying
this man by a military court. and after a cofsld-
orlhle unwinding OF red tape secured promise
from Spain that u civil court would adJudicate
in the premises.
John l.. Waller an educated colored man. was
born in Missouri in slavery. and was one OF sew
eral slaves conhsca ted by Federal troops ana
sent 10 |. va in 1862 He then eleven years
of age He acquired an education. became a
LAWYER and practised at Topeka Kan up 10 the
time Of his appointment as Consul to Tamatave
He was Deputy County Attorney. ana a Harrl-
son Elector in 1855 His Endorsements for the
Cousulship were excellent, and his legal aDliity
and habits were praised. He was appointed 10
the consulship on February u, 1891. anc served
until February -. 1928 when his successor ar
rived AT TamataVe. ~
Mr. walters troub., with the representatives.
II the French protectOrate over Madagascar
da,es from last spring. when he obtained from
the Malagassy Government an extensive conceS-
sion II land i'm the south OF the Island Inc Ter
rltorv u which he 90; control is estimated as
covering from 20O 10 25o square miles. The
French authorities contested the validity of the
grant. ard there has been almost constant I'M
lion between them and Mr.. Waller ever since
il was made
\ cable message announcing the arrival OF the
rastine AT Ismailia was received at the Navy
Department to-day. She ~ on her way TO the
east coast Of Africa.