The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-07-08
TELLS HIS TROUBLES.
Ex-COnsul Waller Lectures at
the African vi. e. Church.
Denounces Administration For
Its Treatment of Him.
Says Administration Which Keeps
Such Man as Minister Eustis
Should be Damned.

hands Of John L. Waller, ex-cOnsul to
Madagascar, last night. The colored
politicians Of this city, who scored Wal
Ter some time ago also came in for their
share Of denunciation.
Waller spoke at the African NJ. z.
church last night to an audience of less
than 100. He presented his side of the
story in an entertaining manner, and
was frequently greeted with applause
When introduced by Lawyer A. NJ.
Thomas he said:
But one side of the story of my i'm
prisonment has been told. That was
the side given out by the French gov
eminent, the oppressors. You will re-
member that when the newspapers
were teeming with news of my impris-
onment I was in solitary confinement
and my lips were sealed Now am
out OF prison, I am free. and I am go
ing to tell my side of the story. Some
body is going to get hurt.
I am here to tell you the cause for
which I was sent to prison. I will
start out with an assertion which I in
tend to prove. The American consul in
Madagascar, my successor, had as
much to do with my Imprisonment as
had the French. Had I not fought for
American interests I would not have
met with the fate which I did,
The ex-cOnsul then related in detail
the circumstances attendant upon the
first year of his consulate. Ee said
that his instructions from the late
James G. Blaine, then secretary of
state, were to the effect that he should
recognize no form of government in
the island but the native government
of Madagascar. The carrying OUT of
these instructions first incurred the
enrnity of the French, who expected to
be recoenized as the lawful governors
of The island. AS soon as his action be-
came generally known the French COM
menced to show their hatred. On the
street they would turn their backs up
on him and make jests. Late at night
parties would surround the consulate
residence and sing riba1d French songs.
For over q year stood this cCntin-
ued abuse. The administration had in
the meantime changed. Not a line did
I receive from the state department.
saying, Waller you have done your
duty. Oh, if James G. Blaine had only
been there. am not here to make 20
IticaI speeches, but declare that was
shamefully treated by the administra-
ton. When my successor was appoint
ed, the French consul was notified Of
the fact ten days before knew of it.
1 received my information from the
French consul and not from the state
department.
when I was relieved of my official
position, I looked about me and saw
that the French, English, Italians and
Germans had large concessions in the
island. Why should not a citizen of the
United States? I secured a concession,
244 square miles of land, in the south
ern part of the island, leased it for 60
years and had the lease duly registered.
The land was rich in mineral, in ebony,
Ill
grow tropical products. It was my in
tentiOn TO cultivate the land, establish
manufactures and carry on a trade
with the United States. This is my in
tention yet. I still hold the land and
my plans have not fallen through.
The letter for which I was seized
was written to my wife and in it
I related the Outrages committed up
ON me by the French soldiers, the out
RACES which I had seen the French SOL
diers commit upon the defenseless wo-
men and children of Madagascar. and
the action of the American consul. The
French seized the letter and 1 was ar
rested on the charge of giving infor-
nation to the Madagascar army of
the movements of the French I was
thrown into prison and the American
consul refused me his aid being in
league with the French and was found
guilty and placed on board a ship
bound for France. And yet Mr. Eus-
tbs said in his report that the Ameri-
can consul did all in his power to aid
me. At my examination the consul was
not even present. The administration
that keeps such a man should be
damned.
'On board the ship was chained
in the hold on my back for seven days
among the filth and the vomit and the
rats, and spit upon by the French SOL
diers. For three days I lay without
food or drink, starving. Mr.. Olney did
not tell you about this, but he did
tell you that Waller was not i'll treat
ed. When the commission came to
France to take my deposition I tried to
tell them of my treatment, but they
would not hear me. I was shamefulIy
treated by the administration
Ex-COnsul Waller will remain in this
city until Friday, when he will return
to his present home in Kansas City,
Kan. He has again assumed control of
the American Citizen, a paper which he
established in 1883, and will also devote
much time to the preparation of a book
in which he will tell the full story of
his side of the case
He stated that he would probably
make a lecturing tour during the COM
ing fall and winter, but that he was as
yet undecided whether to enter politics
or not He said that ne would undoubt-
eddy make a few political speeches this
fall. He intends to go to Madagascar
next year to look after his land inter
| ests which he proposes to work.
Weather Indications