The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1895-08-24

To the Demand of Our Government for
the Evidence in the Case on which the
Ex-Consul Was Tried and Sentenced to
Twenty Years' Imprisonment
WASHINGTON, Aug 24-Ohicials Of the
state department were gratifled yesterday
to learn that Ambassador Eustis had made
a move In the matter of exConsul Wal
Ter, and had carried out portion of the
instructions which have been sent him.
The department has felt that its efforts in
this case have not been as ably seconded
at Paris as they might have been, and
Ambassador Eustis explains in his dis
patch that the delay has been due to the
absence Of the minister of foreign affairs.
The department. believes that in few
days the French government will make
some response TO the requests made for
the papers in the case of Mr.. Waller.
Ambassador Eustis' telegram states
that upon the return of the minister for
foreign affairs to Paris after an absence
of some Duration he and Mr.. Eustis had
come to an understanding regarding the
designation of deputies to be sent to Clair
vaux and see Mr. Waller, who is confined
at that place. Mr. Newton B. Eustis, the
second secretary, and Mr. Alexander, the
counsel of the embassy, were delegated by
the ambassador, and all necessary orders
issued to insure their access to the pris-
oner. They started on their errand yes
terday.
The prison in which Mr.. Waller is con-
fined is 140 miles from Paris, and this
will be the first opportunity that has been
afforded to get a full and authentic state
ment from Mr.. Waller all previous state
ments from him since his confinement
having come through indirect channels.
1t is recognized at the department that
the French government is not slow, but
that the French people are inclined to be
nettled at the course pursued by the
Americans, as shown in the resentment
felt because the commander of the
Castine had failed to salute the French at
Tamatave. 1t is thought that much may
be made of this incident by the French in
order to still further delay the settlement
of the Waller case, but it is probable that
the United States authorities will not
allow the two things to be coupled, but
will insist that the Waller case must be
considered solely on its own merits.
The United States has not recognized
the French protectorate over Madagascar
nor has it refused recognition. Consul
Wetter, who is at Tamatave is only act
ing consul in one sense, as the United
States has never applied for nor received
an equator from him. In advising tho
commander of the Castine not to recog
nize or salute the French, the department
presumes that Mr.. Wetter has taken the
right course and knows what he is about
and will act upon that assumption until
something to the contrary is learned.
The effect of this position of the consul
and the commander of the Castine may
have upon the Waller claim is altogether
speculative If French control is not
recognized in the island, and in fact
should be denied by the United States
government it would define clearly the
issue and make the claim of Waller indis
putable from an American view point
but it is said that such position by tho
United States is not necessary TO the es
tablishment of the Waller claim if Mr.
Waller received his concession from de
facto government.