New-York tribune., 1895-08-22
WALLER'S RELEASE ASSURED.
A FORMAL DEMAND TO BE MADE ON
THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT.
HERETOFORE THE INCONSISTENCY OF THE
FRENCH AND THE QUESTION OF IN
DEMNITY HAVE DELAYED THE
STATE DEPARTMENT.

STATE DEPARTMENT.
Washington Aug 2l.-The case OF John L. Waller
ex-Consul OF the United States at Tamatave' Maoh-
gascar now in prison In France mas assumed
phase that lustdes this Government III 'he pehei
that Walters days OF confinement are nearly ended
7, can he stated on the highest authority that the
only reason why Ambassador Eusts has not Deen
,rstructed 10 demand Walters immediate release Is
that such n course might weaken the claim Tor IN
demnitv which the United States proposes TO make
against France on behalf OF Waller TOT the co"nsoa
ton OF the rubber concession in Madagascar.
The President and Secretary Olney are now thor
ouChly satisfied that Walters military 'riai was ho
conducted In proper manner, ana that his 0onN0-
ton Of the crime OF treason was based on tho Him.
siest evidence.
II will he a matter of a short time few weeks
perhaps. before Secretary Olney will instruct Am
bassador Eusts to secure Walters release and make
a claim for indemnity against the frencn doVern-
ment on account Of the confscation OF MS conces-
sion instructions were sent to Mr.. Eusus on July
81 10 press his emphatic request for copy OF the
record of evidence on which the ex-Consul was de-
cared a felon Mr. Eustis failed to secure the rec
ord and on August further instructions were sent
him. more emphatic than the first. communications
received at the Department from the Ampassador
tell OF his efforts secure copy OF the record
from the French Ministry for Foreign Affairs. ana
of his several failures through the temporizng pol
icy pursued by the authorities
After considerable delay and repeated requests ne
received a copy of the charges and spechcauonS
and of the sentence imposed on Waller. he theh
renewed his demand for copy OF the evidence
and was at first told that it would be granted
as soon as the record had been received In France
But according his latest advices TO this Govern
ment the French Ministry has told him. with that
lack OF consistency which appears TO have marked
the entire negotiations that the record or evidence
Is in Madagascar and cannot be furnished without
great delay. .,
The statement that this Government has done all
that can be done TO bring the Waller case to a
speedy adjustment is unquest;onable. The demand
for Walters release would have been made TINS
month If the State Department had not been actu-
atel by desire to obtain for him the indemnify
due for the confsca ton Of the rubber concession:
According the view taken by the President and
Secretary Olney. compliance with a demand for
Walters immediate release would practically nave
ended the case and left little ground for claim for
Indemnity. Ii is the desire OF this Government TO
make It's efforts the freedom Of Waller de-
pendent on the intention 10 obtain indemnity. and
| thus make the French do full justice to the i'm
prsoned man AS matters now stand. Waler's re-
lease is assured. even II the indemnity fall to be
forthcoming. ~
The amount OF the indemnity to be asked will be
more than million dollars.
The report thai Waller is dying or consumption In
prison is giving the State Department some uneasi-
ness but the information is not believed to be
strictly accurate, the latest letters from Wal
er saw that the chiis and fever from which he suf
rcred had left him and that his health much
improved.