The herald., 1896-04-05
WALLER'S CASE
The Ex.consul Tells . Story oi Gross Ill
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LONDON. April 4.-Mr. John L. Waller,
formerly United States consul at Tama-
tave, Madagascar, arrived in this city a
short time ago. after his release from the
French prison, in which he had been con-
fined under the sentence of twenty years.
i'm prisonment imposed upon him by q
court-martial for having corresponded
with the Hovas. He has been living in re-
tirement since his arrival and upon the ad-
vics of 'his agents. who are formulating q
claim against the French government. has
not received any representatives OF the
English press. However, Mr.. Waller. who
sailed for New York today. made the fol-
1t is the first time he has told his story to
q reporter:
"You will remember that Tamatave was
bornbarded by the French in December,
1892, he began, II was then living AT
Tamatave. Shortly after the lombard
ment wrote to my wife, who was living
up the country. In my letter merely de-
scribed the event, referred to the sanitary
condition of the town and the number of
French soldiers there, but l did also de-
scribe some of the barbarities / witnessed.
particularly the ravishing of the Hova
women by French soldiers.
"On March 8, 1895, was arrested at
Tamatave. l asked for witnesses and to
know what the charges against me were. l
was told they were two in number. First,
for violation of an order of January IS,
1898, regarding sending any letters
except through the French post. Second,
violation of one of the articles of the
French military code by corresponding
with the enemy regarding French opera
tions at Tamatave.
II was at first refused counsel, but after
ward obtained the services Of M. La Gray.
He had only forty-eight hours in which to
look into my case. The trial was held on
Mo- M 10 of
My lawyer frequently told the court that
such charges as were adduced would be
laughed at in civil court trial. However,
/ was condemned to twenty years. solitary
confinement.
"On the 23d of March was placed on a
steamer bound for Marseilles. l was told
that l would be given stateroom for the
voyage. However, when / reached the
boat 1 was conducted to the hold and
made to sit down on platform which ls
just underneath the hatchway for lower
ing freight. My guard, who was French
soldier, simply in reply to my question
there few moments afterward
huge iron bar was brought and placed
on the door in front of me. To this
my ankles were chained. l was unable
then to change my position, even enough
to lie on my side. The rabble of Tamatave
had followed me from the Jail to the
steamer. They came on board and, stand
ing on the deck, spat upon me. was
soon covered completely with their saliva.
lappealed to my guard and to several of the
French soldiers, but they only laughed at
me. AS night came on it began to rain. and
l lay powerless to move, with the tropical
rain beating down upon me. Being wet
in that climate is always followed by
fever, unless ones clothes are Immediately
changed. In the morning was trembling
with q chill. At 8 o'clock some breakfast
was brought me. 1t consisted of soup
with rice and curry in it and a piece of
cup of tea. One of the soldiers drew his
sabre and exclaimed: Eat that
II was only released of my chains twice
a day, ten minutes in the morning and ten
in the afternoon. l was given but two
meals a day. All my effects had been
taken from me and was lily provided with
clothing.
II had but one and half francs with
me, After leaving Zanzibar gave this tc
= soldier and told him to buy me some orr
anges. He took the money and when l saw
him next day he said he had lost it.
"a few French officers came on board at
Zanzibar. One of them demonstrated with
my guard and I was released from my
chains. Another officer, seeing me re-
leased, said: You are an enemy of France.
When you are asleep will cut your throat
and throw you overheard / had
been given room and my guard slept IN
it next to me. That night was aroused
by noise in my room and saw this officer
standing at the foot of my bed. 1 got up,
dressed and started to go on deck. He
followed me and struck me on the back of
the head as was ascending the stairway,
knocking me down. got up. and, fearful
for my life, struck him in the face, cutting
it open. 1 applied to the officers of the
ship for protection. was assured by them
and by the French officers who had be-
friended me that nothing would be done to
me for my action in defending myself.
After this episode the Frenchman kept
away from me. Going through the Suez
canal l was again chained, and again as we
approached Marseilles.
"At Marseilles l was conducted to a
dirty, filthy prison. only remained there
q few days and then, handcuffed to two
other prisoners, was taken to the military
prison at ClAravaux. Here the food was
so bad / could not retain It on my stomach.
l appealed to the governor of the prison
and he sent the doctor to examine me.
"From Claravaux I was transferred 20
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 ne to draw on him for
money.
IT wish particularly to state that in max
ing application for my pardon, made no
IL