THE FRENCH IN MADAGASCAR.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10902, 8 September 1897, Page 2

THE FRENCH IN MADAGASCAR.

: V (From Oub Own Cohbespondent. ) B t Auckland, Septembar 7. to The Rev. R; Bwron (25 years' a, missionary fa iv Madagascar)' w here as a deputation from the „-, London Missionary Society. He delivered an o f interestißg addrus at a public meeting, in sfc which he narrated the events which hud taken place during the last two year* since the French m •occupation-of thVtalwd. -He expressed the opinion that if any Power had a right to the island it was the Fieuch. The French expeai- - tiouled by Gsueral Duchesne w»9 carried out humanely aud with as little bloooW^ *< possible. He provad to b9 not only a skilful esueral but a kindly-disposed and just man. M G. LaroECi was tho first civil resident » ee'nersl He was a Protestant, and thoroughly »t impartial and just, a man of very high integrity. A A rebellion arising, however, in the island jind ™ other causes, led the French Government to recall him. General Gftlliani restored peace, •and Bines then the country had been in a very sad « condition. Now it was settling down through P, the strong measures (fully justified by citou»- * ; stances) which. General tfaUiwft wloptea, t, ? carry out his object. Dtolteskdiimen v recently in !rcg.«d to the mission work in the * island, but, notwithstanding these difficulties, . he (tho speaknr) wxs of opinion that the French 8 Government really meant to act with justice t in all'those matters. They had proclaimed t religions liberty far and wide throughout the island and had initiated various oeneficml c reforms.: He hoped that ultimately the French t would see that they hod no truer fnends for the » opemng-up of the country than the missionaries s of the London Missionary Society and_ other r Protestant missionary societies in the island. There were serious difficulties encountered in c tno'mission Work, arising from various causes, but he honed that these would disappear, and i when once the -French' people^ere convinced i that the missionaries were loyal to the French i 'flag all would be well.'•■-. ■■ ■