MADAGASCAR REVOLT EXPECTED TO BE NOW QUELLED

Grey River Argus, 30 June 1947, Page 5

MADAGASCAR REVOLT EXPECTED TO BE NOW QUELLED

(Rec. 7.40) PARIS, June 28. The recent arrival in Madagascar of General Pellett, as new Com-mander-in-Chief, and four battalions of infantry,' trained to deal with guerrilla warfare, marks a turning point in the affairs of the island, says The Times Paris correspondent. The French regard themselves as now in a position to regain full military control in Madagascar, and to reduce completely the revolt, which only a few days previously was reported to have spread northward in I the direction of the capital. The French Commander, before ■ using I force, has made a last appeal to reason. It is too soon to say whether it will be heard, but the French are not sanguine, for, according to their information, many tribesmen have bound themselves by a solemn oath to fight to the death. Economic difficulties have played a large part in preparing the soil for revolt. The French Government proposes to send large quantity of textiles for the native population. The Government, in its choice of new officials, will pay great attention to the aptitude of the candidates to sympathise with native aspirations and to maintain a harmonious balance between them arid the French population.