SERIOUS OUTRAGE.

Patea Mail, Volume IX, Issue 1059, 13 July 1883, Page 3

SERIOUS OUTRAGE.

BRITISH OFFICERS ARRESTED BY THE FRENCH.

[_REUTER —COPYRIGHT. J (Received July J2, 1.10 p.m.) LONDON, July 11.

In the House of Commons last night Mr Gladstone announced that intelligence had reached the Government* of a grave occurrence at Tamatave, Madagascar, a town which has been in the occupation pf French forces for;.the past few weeks’; ‘ While the British Consul at Tamatave was lying ill bis Secretary was arrested by order of the French commander, and the Consul wiis peremptorily ordered to quit the. toyrn within twenty hoars. Before that time elapsed, however, the Consul died, v,The French invited the officers of H.M. ship Dryad, lying in port, to attend the funeral. Several officers came- ashore for that purpose, and when the ceremony was ended they were: forbidden to re-embark, and were compelled to remain ashore. Mr Gladstone concluded by stating that the occurrence was of such a serious nature that H.M. Government demanded an immediate explanation from the French Government. July 13, 1.5 p.m.) LONDON, July 12. In the House of Lords to-day, Earl Granville stated, in reply to a question, that the Government had reason to believe that the French Government were disposed to grant reparation for the outrage on British officials and naval officers in Madagascar. Communications were, bis Lordship added, passing between the Governments on the subject.