New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-07-13
FRENCH INSULTS TO FOREIGN FIGS

FRENCH INSULTS IO fOREIGN FLLGS.
The French operations in Madagascar have
been conducted without foretbought and with
precipitate haste. The feet bomoarded Ma
junga on May 20, drove out the HoVa garrison
and took possession of the Custom House.
This port lies on the northwest coast of the
island and has been one of the military posts OF
the dominant race, the Hovas. in the territory
of the Sakalavas the warlike tribe over whose
territory France claims a prOtectorate. Adj
miral Pierre after this first DlO0dless exploit
made the circuit of the northern coast and an
chored of Tamatave on the east side. This is the
principal port of Madagascar, having popu-
lation of 5000, including large proportion OF
foreigners and as many as 500 British subjects.
The ultimatum sent to the Queen of the Hoyas
from Maunga having expired by limitation,
the Admiral bombardcd Tamatave on June -,
captured the fort behind the town, occupied
the Custom House, and destroyed three villages
on the coast. The garrison, consisting of 200
men, offered no resistance, but retreated IN the
direction of AntananaIivO, where the Queens
army of 6, 900 men is stationed. The French
have made no impression upon the military
power Of the HCvas by firing upon and occupy
ing these defenceless trading ports. The
Queens army remains inland and cannot be
disodged until column of troops is sent out
from France. All that the Admiral has sue
ceeded in doing is to interrupt foreign trade
to exasperate the English American and Ger
man residents of Tamatave, and to involve
France in international complications through
sheer neglect of ordinary diplomatic precau-
tons.
The account given by Mr.. Gladstone in the
House of Commons of the insults offered by
the French Admiral to the British Consul and
of the arbitrary conduct of the garrison of ma
rines will naturally excite resentment and indig-
nation throughout England. The Consul, who
was seriously sick when Tamatave was occu
pied was ordered to leave the town within
twenty -four hours; his secretary was arrested
in his presence and no himself died seven hours
after receiving notice to quit, his disease appa-
rently being aggravated by brutal conduct.
Communications were stopped between British
man war and the shore, and the flags of all
the foreign Consuls were hauled down. An
English missionary was arbitrarily arrested
and demands for his release were ins0lently
refused This is series OF Ontrages which
concerns Germany and the United States as
well as England for each Power has Con .
sular flag that has apparently been dishonored
by the French commander, as well as subjects
whose rights are to be protected against insult
and wrong. IL will be manifesty unjust, how
ever, TO condemn these proceedings on ex parte
testimony from the British consulate. Deliber
ate judgment should he reserved until the
French Government has had an opportunity
for making full explanations. The facts as
they are now reported certainly have an ugly
look, and despite the moderation of Mr.. Glad
stones spe, ch have created feeling of indg
nation in England. The French Admiral, not
having troops to cope with the native Amy in
lanl. and being bent upon making flourish of
some kind the coast, has apparently made
war upon the foreign Consuls and residents.
This is not a diplomatic mode of enlarging a
commercial empire.
OF the Interior consequences of this discredit
able episode we do net entertain serious appre
tensions. If the facts Are as bad as the English
reports represent them to be, the French Gov
eminent will be constrained to make proper
apologies t. the three Governments and prob
ably to recall Admiral Pierre. The main OBJ
stacle In the way of en- exchange of friendly