THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 1895.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 9719, 15 January 1895, Page 4

THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 1895.

The contest has commenced between the French expeditionary force and the Hovas of Madagascar, and the cable message informs us that the French gunboats had silenced the forts in the vicinity ot Tamatave. This was just what might have been anticipated. The Hovas never would have expected to make * stand at any place on the coast, where the French could operate from their vessels. But that the French should have been resisted at all shows that the Hovas have resolved not to submit, but to contest every step. The real trial for the French will begin when the French have to make toilsome marches through a rough and unhealthy country, with a determined and courageous foe resisting every step. It was supposed at one time that the Hovas would yield to the demands of France, but the opposition shown at Tamatave makes it manifest that they have determined to resist to the uttermost. The programme of France in this campaign is thus stated by a French journal:—

France must either evacuate the island altogether, or else reduce the Hovas to such a condition that their power shall be broken once and for all. To do this they must secure the person of the Prime Minister, and send him out of the country, replacing him by one who will not offer war, but submit to the French protectorate. They must conclude a treaty which shall distinctly recognise an effective French protectorate, allow France to occupy Diego Suarez if she thinks fit, and annex any of the territory in its neighbourhood she may desire, make the Hovaa responsible for the cost of the war, which shall be paid by France taking over the Customs receipts from the ports of Vohi-

mar, Fenerif, Tamatave, Yatoom&adry, Mananzari, and Majunga. _ In this wav France would obtain everything she required without the expense of complete annexation, which would entail the establishment of a large auxiliary Colonial Government without adding to the profits to be derived from the island.

Apparently, France is to have a free hand so far as Great Britain is concerned. But there is considerable danger of awkward complications. There is an English party in Madagascar having commercial interests there, or connected with the missions that have been carried on in the island for very many years, and this party is undoubtedly heart and soul with the Hovas in resisting French aggression. We have received within the last few days, direct from Madagascar, some copies of the Madagascar News, a paper printed in English, in which the editor, Mr. E. Underwood Harvey, makes a strong appeal to English and colonial public opinion on behalf of the Hovas, and against the French. The editor of the News announces that although he has sufficient paper on hand for a year's issue, he has determined, as a precaution, to husband his stock by reducing the size of his newspaper. He records the fact that notwithstanding the intense sense of injustice felt at the conduct of the French, and the strong patriotic feeling which prevailed, the military escort of the French Resident - General and the French community were allowed to take their departure from Antananarivo without a single insult, " not even the smallest hoot." The British and Norwegian residents lately sent a deputation to the Prime Minister, and were assured by him of his goodwill and favour. The Queen has issued a proclamation, in which she says :

Thus, according to those five terms, the French (which God forbid) shall have power to rule and govern this land and kingdom, and place as many French soldiers as they please in this land of our fathers; but, as before, when they asked for a third of the Island, we refused their demands, and the war was the result, so now, when they are asking for undivided rule in Madagascar, I have refused, and I hereby proclaim it to you, my people.

The patriotic feeling is apparently strong in Madagascar. At the Palace Church on one Sunday Her Majesty the Queen publicly prayed that the Lord would deliver the Malagasy from their enemies. She counselled the people not to be afraid, for the Lord always helps those who have right on their side, and it is in Him that she trusts. The report of the occurrence says that the congregation were thrilled with enthusiasm, and responded fervently to Her Majesty's prayer. In answer to the demands of the French envoy, M. le Myre de iters, the Government of Madagascar replied by a statement of the grievances they had against the French, to show that the strained relations had arisen from acts of tyranny on the part of the French. A paper containing counter proposals was also handed to the French envoy. Thereupon the flag of the French Consulate was hauled down, and the French took their departure.

There seems little doubt that the action of the Prime Minister is approved by the great body of the people. The News states : —" Twenty thousand representatives of the regal province of Imerina have declared to-day that Madagascar shall not, at least without a desperate, enduring struggle, become subordinate to French rule." The British residents thus appeal to public opinion in England :—

Can Great Britain stand passively by while a gallant little nation, Christianised and civilised by her Nonconformist Missions, is being " crushed in the clash of jarring claims?'' Crushed in the clash of England's and France's jarring claims in the iniquitous partition of Africa! We British, dwelling amongst this interesting and progressive people—a people whose affection and reverence for England and the British still survive, despite the Anglo-French Convention concerning Madagascar —we British cannot believe that the British Government will not exercise every resource which diplomacy and the interlocking of British and French interests in all parts of the world now peculiarly admit, to attain a revision ol an Anglo-French Convention which, as the Right Hon. Sir Charles Dilke has stated, has no basis, either in fact or treaty-law.

France is bound now to carry through what she has begun in the face of the world, and to put forth whatever power may be required. If the Hovas make the desperate resistance that is threatened, the conquest of Madagascar will be a very costly achievement for France. The country near the coast is very unwholesome, and formidable obstructions may easily be put in the way of even a powerful expedition marching on the capital In the circumstances, it will be almost impossible to carry on the campaign without British subjects becoming involved, and appeals will be made to the English Government by powerful interests, whose representations cannot easily be ignored.