The Recent Massacre in Madagascar.

Evening Star, Issue 8506, 4 May 1891, Page 3

The Recent Massacre in Madagascar.

A letter from Madagascar, published in the Paris papers, gives particulars of the alleged massacre of 278 persons by Ramiaktra, Governor of Belanona, a district three days' march from the capital. The massacre was of a most atrocious and remorseless character. It seems that the rule of Ramiaktra, governor of the province, became so unbearable a little more than a year ago that a deputation consisting of 100 notables was appointed to repair to the capital of the island and appeal to the Prime Minister for his dismissal. When they reached Antananarivo, however, they were thwarted in every possible way, and prevented from laying their grievances before Queen Ranavolo's consort. They remained daily suppliants at the gates of the palace for a period of eight months. In the end their destitute and starving condition attracted attention, and the Premier granted an interview, in the course of which he promised that their complaints should be investigated. The notables then returned to Nossi vey, but instead of leading to an amelioration of the situation, their mission so exasperated the governor that soon after their return he ordered his soldiery to surround the inhabitants of the place, and a general massacre ensued. Ramiaktra directed the soldiers in person, and his brother Rasamuel assisted him. Before being actually put to death the victims of Ramiaktra's rage were tortured in every conceivable manner, the women being stripped naked and surrendered to the soldiers. The bodies of the dead were thrown to the dogs. After the massacre Ramiaktra caused a trophy, composed of the headsof his butchered subjeots, to be ereeted in a public place. Two hundred and seventy-eight men, women, and children perished in the massacre. The news of the atrocity reached Tananarivo on the 9th of January. Some fugitives arrived on the 12th and threw themselves at the Prime Minister's feet, He was shocked at their story, and immediately despatched 100 men to arrest the governor.