Evening star., 1896-02-13
A MBAS SADOR EUSTIS
His Conduct of the Case of Ex-Oonsul
Waller Discussed.
1t Was Ably Managed ut Every Stage
and Was a Distinct Triumph
of Diplomacy.

The complete report in the Waller case is
| SO distinct triumph of pure diplomacy
that the friends of Ambassador Eustis, who
conducted the business with the French
government, are very proud of the achieve
ment. 1t is no more than they were ex-
pecting, but they are particularly glad to
welcome it at this time when American
diplomacy at certain other points-at Homo
lulu and London, for instance-is regarded
as so incompetent and Ineffective.
Difficult Task.
Mr.. Eustis had a task of unusual diff
Guilty. The most unimportant phase of it
even proved a source of embarrassment,
and was seized by his critics to feather
their shafts with. Mr.. Waller being a
negro, and Mr.. Eustis southern man and
an eX-slave holder, the assertion immedi-
ately followed the news of Walters trial
and Imprisonment that his color forbade
the hope of his receiving the proper atten-
ton at the hands of his country's represen-
tative in France. His champions here
pressed this to the point of indignity to
Mr. Eustis, but to no purpose. The Ame-i-
can ambassador-a just man, with stout
heart and level head-refused to notice
his assailants, taking the proper time for a
thorough examination of the whole case
and carrying himself throughout according
TO what was revealed to him there, and his
own conceptions of his duty. He saw that
time was necessary. and he took all the
time the circumstances required.
Has Come Out Well.
How very well Mr.. Eustis has come out
of the matter is told, his friends think, by
the mere summary of the case.
% Mr.. Walters color cut no figure in the
transaction whatever. France did not take
it into account, nor did the conduct of Mr.
Eustis at any stage of the game betray
any thought of it on his part, He per-
sonally investigated the prison regulations
10 which MIR. Waller was subject and sent
his own son to provide such comforts as
the authorities would permit an outsider to
offer. He could have done no more had
Mr. Waller been white man and the am
bassaGorS personal friend Mr. Walters
wife upon her arrival here testified in
terms of sincere appreciation of Mr. Eus-
tis attentions to her husband.
(0 Mr.: Eustis' examination of the case
IS regarded as a very able and impartial
document. 1t is the work of lawyer and
a judge as well as that of an ambassador
1t is so thorough, indeed and convincing
that the State Department accepts it with
out question, and Congress will do likewise
1t finds against Mr.. Waller but strictly
within the facts presented.
(3) Mr.. Eustis as an official undoubtedly
shares In the compliment extended by
Franco to this government in offering to
release Mr.. Waller from further punish
ment The dignity and ability with which
the case was presented and pressed could
not but command attention for such an
official at capital where the proper form
Is so great factor in official usefulness
Had Mr.. Eustis plunged along with bolster
Gus 1nSistence. as he was at one time urged
to do. and abused for not doing by Mr.
Walters friends, he would have wrecked
not only his case, but himself
His True Americanism
Added to all of this is the fact, recalled
now with equal pride by the friends of Mr.
EUstis that he was the first man in his
party to lift his voice for real American
foreign policy after the present adminstra-
ton had made so Objectionable a mess IF
its opportunity. Before Mr.. Whitney's
blood boiled over the Allianca episode, or
Mr.. Dickinson and Gov. Campbell talked
free Cuba in the northwest and in Tam
many Hall, or Mr.. Cleveland astonished
and delighted the country with his Ven
ezuelar message, Mr.. Eustis had crossed
the English channel from his own post to
London and made speech before an
American club which made him the Abou
Ben Adhem OF the democracy. His name
for months, in Europe as we'll as in Amer
lea, led all the rest.