The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-04-06

ION March D. 1870, L WAS arrested NJ
Tamatave and summoned to appear before
naval court-marrial. l asked for time
TO obtain witnesses ana 10 know on what
the charges against me were based. was
told they were: First, for violation of an
order Of Jan. IS, 1898, regarding sending
any letters except through the French
port; second, violation of one OF the
articles Of the French military code, by
corresponding with the enemy regarding
French operations in Tamatave.
II was at first refused counsel, but after
ward obtained the services Of M. Lagray,
Frenchmnn, with whom / was &C
quainted. He had only AZ hours In which
toiook into my case. The trial was held
on March CO. 1895, and only lasted one
hour. My lawyer frequently told tho court
that such charges rs were adduced would
be laughed at In "a civil court trial. How.
ever. was condemned TO 20 years solitary
confinement.
ION the 23d OF March I was placed on
the steamer Djenuah, bound for Marseilles
was told that would be given state
room for the voyage, which occupies four
weeks. However, when l reached tho
boat, l was conducted TO the hold and
made 10 sit down OH the platform which
is Just underneath the hatchway for lower
ing freight. My guard, who was brutal
French soldier, simply said. In reply to my
question regarding room, You SIT there?
"a few moments afterward u huge iron
bar was brought and placed on the floor In
fro MT ot me. To this my ankles were
chained. / WAS then unable TO change my
position, even 20 lie on my side. The rabbll
OF Tainatave had followed me from the Jail
to tho steamer. They ome on board
and standing on the deck, spat upon me-
| was soon completely covered with
saliva.
Orlcers' Brutal Treatment.
al wns only released from my chains for
10 minutes twice n day. l was given but
two meals day. A few French officers
came on board at Zanzibar. One of them
demonstrated with my guard, md was
released from my chains Another officer
seeing me released, said: You aro an
enemy to France. Tonight, when you are
asleep. will cut your threat and throw
you overheard.
Il had been given room, and my guard
silent In &c near me- That night was
aroused by noise in my room, and saw
this officer standing ut the foot OF my bed
I rot ND, dressed, and started to 60 on
deck. He followed me and struck me on
tho back of the head, as 1 was ascending
the stairway, knocking mo down. / got
up. and, fearful for my life, struck him in
the face, cutting it open. The officers OF
the ship came and j appealed TO them for
protection. / was assured by them and by
the French officers who had bcfriendcd
me that nothing would be done to me for
nv action in defending myself. After
this opisodc the Frenchman kept away
from me.
"Going through the Suoz canal, was
again chained, and again as we approached
Mnrseillcs. AT Mnrscilles I was con.
Quoted TO dirty, filthy prison. only IT..
ma,ued there few days, and then, hand.
cuffed to two other prisoners, was taken
TO the military prison at Claravaux. Hcr'
the food was so bad that I could not r..
tain 10 on my stomach. 1 Iappealc1 to a.,
governor u the prison. and no sent thu
doctor 10 examine me. After this my die
was better.
From Clnravaux / was transferred ta
the prison at Mines Hero was kept
n solitary cell On Feb 20 1898. a priso
official arrived and told mo that my par
don had been received. With it came O.
message from Mr. Eusts, In Paris, dirccl.
inc mo 10 draw on him for money.
II wish particularly TO state that IN
making my application for pardon made
no AGREEMENT whatever TO waive NV
claims for damages against the Frcnci,
government"
Mr.. Waller Is n tall. intelligent looking
colored man. 81 years Of agc. His face
shows evidence OF the hardships he has
undergone. lie speaks with great flucncy,
and is a man OF more than ordinary cdu
cation.
lne star ..... ~..... col. ,niii ~ Philadol.