Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1921-12-27
Famous Trials

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 a time as consul at Tam
atave, Madagascar. The dispute threat
ened to disturb the friendly relations
for a time, but it was settled amicably
by the Government of France acced-
ing to the demands of the United
States and releasing Mr.. Waller from
Imprisonment. He was released how
ever on the condition that our Gov
eminent should make no claim against
France for damages growing out Of
the arrest and Imprisonment.
Waller, during the time he was serv-
ing as United States consul, acted as
administrator of the estate of Crockett
a deceased United States citizen. He
was accused of being guilty OF malad-
ministration and when Edward T.
Wetter, his successor, took charge of
the consulate in January 1894, Wal
Ter disappeared and the consular re-
cords were in great 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.. Gel
dart, an intimate friend of the accus-
ed man, and Messrs. Ryder and Howe
Waller was convicted of gross mis-
management of the estate, of abuse
and neglect Eof trust, and was removed
| from the position of administrator, be-
sides being ordered to make good a
considerable sum to the Crockett heirs.
Wetter asked leave of the Govern
ment to prosecute Waller criminally
and the department replied that ii
could give no specific instructions
When the French captured Tamatava
! in December 1894, Waller was arrested
by them and tried by a court known
as Marine First Permanent Council
OF War" The charges were: First,
! dispatching a letter to his wife from
! Tamatava without the same having
! been advised by the French authorities
/ second, attempting to correspond with
! the enemies of France and to furnish
! them information prejudicial to the
military and political situation of
France.
The trial took place in open court
| and Waller was sentenced to 20 years
! Imprisonment, an appeal being reject
ed. Secretary Gresham of the United
States called upon the French govern
ment in April, 1895, for the record and
evidence and these were furnished
| The first charge was acknowledged
and was only subject to a nominal
fine, but the second was serious. Wal
Ter was accused of having reported
the condition of the French garrison
as being particularly bad, he accused
the French of having confiscated Mala-
! r. SIy n Ioz IN fa6
the women of the country This in
formation was contained in letters
written by Waller to his wife and tt
his friend Tessier. He acknowledged
the writing of the letters at the tri-
al
In reviewing the case for the Unit
ed States government. Secretary Olney
said that Waller was probably convict
ed on insufficient evidence and tina
on account of the prejudice against
him he very likely was unfairly tried
Although he. stated that after the
examination of the lettehs he believed
that Waller was very 1ndiscreet ant
the correspondence would indicate
he had guilty intentions. He conclude.
with: ION all the evidence, and IL
view particularly of his own letters
Waller was unquestionably guilty O
an offense against the French govern.
ment of serious character and full,
justifying severe punishment"
After the French government faC
imprisoned Waller for nine months
during which there was considerabl,
correspondence between the two coun
tries, an offer, an offer was made b,
the French government to release hin
from further imprisonment and par
don his offense upon the condition
that as between the two Governments
Waller was dissatisfied with tn
{ terms of the adjustment, and insistet
that our Government should deman,
compensation. On Feb. 20. 1895, Walle
was set at liberty at Mines and tn
famous case was brought to a clos
entirely satisfactory to the Government
OF the United States. Waller was sup
piled with means to assist him to ge
Y home, and the Waller family, bein,
3 left in destitute circumstances, the de
9 partment instructed its representative
t to provide for the immediate neccesi
i ties and to furnish them the mean
to come to the United States.
|