The French Government have apparently decided to occupy North-West Madagascar.
After retaining the Envoys from the Queen for some weeks in a state of honourable captivity in Paris, M. Duclerc finally desired. them to sign a Treaty, acknowledging that, under an old agreement with the Salm, lavas, France was entitled to a Protectorate over that division of Madagascar. The Envoys refused, whereupon their flag was hauled down by force, and they themselves compelled to quit Paris in a sort of disgrace. They are now in England. A Cabinet Council was immediately held, and orders were• despatched to the French ships at La R6nnion to enforce sub- mission to the alleged Treaty. This action has been defended by French papers of every variety of opinion, and the most violent protests are made against allowing any English interfer- ewe. No troops have, however, been sent, and the Government is evidently either pandering to a momentary cry, or is under the impression that, on the first demonstration of force, the Hovas will give way. That is a mistake. The Hovas are Malays by descent, and retain the fighting qualities of their ancestors. In 1815 they beat off England and France united, and they will defend to the last the line of swampy forest which separates the healthy uplands from the coast. The French will either be- defeated, or forced to employ a much larger expedition.
Previous page
