The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1896-04-09
Waller TELLS HIS STORY
THE EX-CONSUL GIVES OUT A
STATEMENT ALLEGING TER
RIBLE TREATMENT. ~
FRENCH DARDAR|T|ES At 7AMATAVE
Hova Women Outraged by Soldiers-He
Did Not Agree to Waive Any Claim
For Damages Against the
French GovernmHnt.

London, April 4.-(Copyrighted, 1896,
by the Associated Press John L. Wal
Ter, formerly United States consul at
Tamatave, island of Madagascar, who ar
rived in this city short time ago, after
his release at the instance of the United
States government from French prison,
sails for New York today. He made the
Press while here. 1t is the first time he
has told his story to a reporter:
You will remember that Tamatave
was bombarded by the French in De-
cember, 1884, he began. 81 was then
living at Tamatave. Shortly after the
bombardment, l wrote to my wife, who
was living in the country. In my letter |
described the event. referred to the SAM.
tary condition of the town and the mum.
Der of French soldiers there, and l did
also describe some of the barbarities |
witnessed, particularly the ravishing of
the Hova women by French soldiers.
"On March 3, 1895, | was arrested at
Tamatave. | asked for time to obtain
witnesses and to know on what the
charges against me were based. | was
told they were two in number:
First for violation of an order of
January Is, 1898, regarding sending any
letter except through the French post;
second, violation of one of the articles OF
the French military code by correspond
ing with the enemy regarding French
operations in Tamatave.
Il was at first refused counsel, but
afterward obtained the services of Nj. La
Gray. He had only 4S hours in which
to look into my &se. The trial was, held
on March 20, 1895, and only lasted one
hour. My lawyer frequently told the
court that such charges as were adduced
would be laughed at in civil court trial
However. | was condemned to 20 years
solitary confinement.
son the 23rd of March | was placed
in Il steamer bound for Marseilles and
told | would be given state room fol
| the voyage. However, when L reached
the boat | was conducted to the hold anG
made to sit down on the platform, which
| is lust beneath the hatchway for lower
| ing freight My guard, who was bruta
| French soldier, simply said i'll reply t
| my question regarding room: You si'
| there A few minutes afterward huge
| iron bar was brought and placed on thu
| floor. To this my ankle was chained
was unable to change my position, ever
enough to lie on my side.
"The rabble of Tamatave had followed
me from the Jail to the boat, They came
on board and, standing on the deck, spa
| upon me. / was soon completely cOVeret
with their saliva. | appealed to TN
guard and to several of the French sol
diers, but they only laughed at me. AZ
night came ON it began to rain and lay
powerless to move, with the tropical ran
beating down upon me. Being wet il
! that climate is always followed by feve
unless ones clothes are immedlatel.
H.. loo. fpnT m
with q chill. At 8 o'clock some break
fast was brought me. 1t consisted o
soup with rice in it and piece of bread
| could not eat and begged for a cup O
tea. One of the soldiers drew his sabre
and exclaimed. Eat that!
II was only released from my chains
| twice a day, ten minutes in the morning
and ten in the afternoon: l was givel
but two meals day. All my effects hat
vided with clothing. L had but one ant
half francs with me. After leaving
Zanzibar l gave these to soldier and tolt
, him TO buy me some oranges. lie tool
the money and when | saw him next day
he said he had lost it.
"A few French soldiers came on board
at Zanzibar. One of them demonstrated
with my guard and | was released from
my chains. Another officer, seeing me
VI.
France. Tonight when you are asleep
will cut your throat and throw you over
board
Il had been given room and my guard
slept in it near me. That night l was
aroused by noise in my room and saw
this officer standing at the foot of my bed
l got up, dressed, and started to go on
deck. He followed me and struck me on
the back of the head while was ascend
ing the stairway, knocking me down. /
got up and, fearful for my life, struck
officers of the ship came and | appealed to
them for protection. l was assured by
them and by the French officers who had
befriended me that nothing would be done
to me for my action in defending myself.
After this episode the Frenchman kept
away from me. Nearing the Suez canal
| was again chained and again as we APP
preached Marseilles. AT Marseilles was
conducted to the dirty, filthy prison. l
only remained there few days and then,
handcuffed to two other prisoners, was
taken to the military prison at Claravaux.
Here the food was so bad that | could not
retain it on my stomach. | appealed II
the governor of the prison and he sent tbs
doctor to examine. me.
Prom Claravaux l was transferred t,
the prison at Mines. On February 20,
1896, prison official arrived and told me
that my pardon had been received. With
it came a message from Mr.. Eustis in
Paris, directing me to draw on him for
money.
II wish particularly to state that in
making my application for pardon made
no agreement whatever to waive my
claims for damages against the French
government"