The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1914-12-31
! 8reot Jr;ols of
Yistor4!
THE TRIAL OF
EX.CONSUL WALKER.

Twenty years ago the united states
Government got itself into a most Sc
rious complication with the French
Government over the imprisonment
trial, conviction and punishment Of
John L. Waller, who represented this
country for time as Consul at Tam
atave, Madagascar. The dispute
threatende to disturb the friendly re-
lations for time, but it was settled
amicably by the government OF
France, acceding to the demands OF
the United States and releasing Mr.
Waller from punishment. He was re-
leased, however, on the condition that
our government should make no
claim against France for damages
growing out of the arrest and impris-
onment.
Waller, during the time he was
serving as United States Consul,
acted as the administrator of the es-
tate of Crockett, a deceased Unite1
States citizen. He was accused of be-
ing guilty of maladministration, and
when Edward T. Wetter, his success
sor, took charge of the consulate in
January, 1894, Waller abs disappeared
confusion.
Wetter caused civil suit to be
brought against Waller on account
of the Crockett estate, and before a
court composed of Consul Wetter, Mr..
Geidart, an intimate friend of the ac-
cused man, and Messrs. Ryder and
Towe. Waller was convicted of gross
tnismanagement of the estate, of abuse
aad neglect of trust, and was removed
rr0n he position OF administrator,
besides being ordered to make good
4 considerable sum to the Crockett
heirs.
Wetter asked leave of the-goXern-
ment to prosecute Waller criminally,
and the department replied that it
could give no specific instructions.
When the French captured Tamatiye
in December, 1894, Waller was arrest
ed by them and tried by court known
as Marine First Permanent Council
Of War" The charges were: First,
letter to his wife from
Tamatave without the same having
been visited by the french authorities;
fecond, attempting to correspond with
The enemies of France and to furnish
hem information prejudicial to the
and political situation Of
Fcance.
The trial took place in open court
and Waller was sentenced to twenty
years Imprisonment an appeal being
rejected. Secretary Gresham of the
United States called upon the French
Government in April, 1895, for the
record and evidence, and these were
furnished.
The first charge was acknowledged
ind was only subject to nominal
inc, but the second was serious. Wal
er was accused of having reported
he condition of the French garrison
Is being particularly bad; he accused
he French of having confiscated Mala-
sasy property and having paltreated
he women of the country. This in
was contained in letters
written by Waller to his wife and
O his friend Tessier He acknowlc1g- |
d the writing of the letters at the
rial.
In reyi wing the case Tor tiiG U1e,cd |
tates O. strnment, ;jec~slars Ulncy /
aid that Waller was pre- 5ably con-
icttd on sufficient evidence AMI
hat on account of the prejudice
gainst him he very likely was un-
airly tried.
Although he stated that after the
Examination of the letters he believed
hat Waller was very indiscrent and
lG Gull 6SpOliuSilSO WOulu lilNlColS That
e had guilty intentions, be concludes (
rith: "On oil the evidence, and in
lew particularly of his own letters,
Ealler was unquestionably guilty
{ au ofrense against the French
oyernment of a serious character
I'd fully justifying severe punish
lent"
After the French government had
rprisoned Waller for nine months,
ruing which there was considerable
between the two
ountries, an offer was made. by the
rench Government to release him !
'om further Imprisonment and j
lrdon his offense upon the condi- !
on that the affair be thereby tel
mated as between the two govern
ents.
Waller was dissatisfied with the
rms of the adjustment and insisted {
at our government should demand
On February 20, 1896
'aller was set at liberty at Mines and
Ie famous case was brought TO a
ose entirely satisfactory to the gov 9
'nment of the United States. Waller +