New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-03-20
hHE MADAGASCAR TREATY
THE ISLAND COUNTRY AND IT'S PEOPLE.

~
oue,n of Madagascar, which has been lying over
sbe ARLINGTON Hotel has been hauled do"h
Ind the dusky ENJOYS have started on 'heH
,yav 10 Europe and home The treaty, wh'ch was
ratified during their stay here VIII Seculo' ~ "
nlaimed. valuable concessions 10 Americans III "
rountrv more than four times as large as England,
s,bioh ia inst fairly Opening itself to commercial
5ave,onment and whose commercial future prom
Uses to be important.
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE HOvA TRIBE.
The Hoyas, the tribe which these en-
VOWS directly represent, are an Interesting
race about whom little seems to be generally KNOWN
They belong ON the eastern slope OF MadagaScai.
tbough they have at times conquered the rest oil
The island and now claim sovereignty over the
whole of it, They are of what is called the OlVe
sa.e having an olive complexion, straight hair,
features rather flat erect and usually graceiui
Worms below the middle height. The SakalaVas,
another tribe on the western slope of the island are
bf the nero type. The origin of the Hovas Is so
completely unknown that they have even no trah-
lions on the subject although there IS every reason
70 suppose that they were not among the aoorig
ines of Madagascar. This is disputed point some
believing that they came within q few generations
from some of the islands of the Indian or racine
pecan they have made marked progress IN CIVIL
cation and vet are said to be curlouSly dehcent ia
nome respects. Any one who obtained his hotons
of Madagascar from the pictures in the biographies
a few wears back would hardly be prepared on en-
4erng the rooms of the embassy to meet these dig
niied men, with dark skins, speaking English. sew
rraI of them almost without an accent, and French
also and having in every respect the demeauor OF
mon of the world; or TO turn over inc
book of photographs and notice the hand
some stone churches OF Tananarivo the capital
churches that might he set down anywhere In the
streets of New York or Washington and attract ad-
miraton at the same time that their wholly modern
appearance might cause one 70 hurry by them WITH
put look 1t beats Brooklyn for churches; there
Is one on every corner" says Colonel Robinson the
Consul who negotiated the treaty and who was here
with the embassy.
THE WORK OF THE MISSIONARIES
: The progress of the Hovas IN knowledge has been
mainly due of course, to the missionaries Several
large church societies represented at the capital
zach with printing establishments busy turning out
hooks and periodicals. all III the Maagasy language
The Roman Catholics issue monthly
magazine with about 600 circulation, besides many
nrayer books and other books Of the church. and
Socabularies The London Missionary Society
prints 20 900 copies month OF first reading book,
irving the alphabet etc. They plenty that
A ia said they are seen kicking about the market
places 1t has two monthly periodicals, one OF
b 500 and the other of 600 circulation The Nor
wesian Missionary Society lutheran issues evan
xelical publications. educational works. and an IL
Illustrated monthly paper, ETC., and has tsansiated
books of history, geography Euclid, and all the
books of an ordinary school course. The Episcopal
Society issues church books and theological works OF
rather an advanced kind, such as Pearson on the
Creed etc The work of enlightenment having been
conducted by the missionaries mainly, 1t has been
mostly on religious subjects and the HovaS even OF
the gov srnng class. said TO have been deficient
IN general knowledge They knew nothing OF inter
national law OF political economy until recently.
Mr. Taccbi. the interpreter with the embassy, Is
now engaged in translatng books on these subjects
into Madagascar for the Government. The Govern
nent also has presses for printing laws etc.
OBSERVATIONS BY AMERICANS.
There are men in Washington. in one position or
another. who have visited Madagascar and are
familiar With the position of affairs there.
One Of these SAYS: "The Queen of Madagascar is
a good motherly woman III her appearance about
Atty wears of age She seems 10 be hardly more than
n fguraheaG The Prime Minister is the real power
under the Hovan system of government. hey are
making up their minds, | think, to have Parla-
nent Now their only legislation is b. the Kabar,
an open-air council which the people of the
capital and chiefs from the country SIT, and where
The votingis done with shout. They have estab-
aished court house. aud are about TO have courts.
The great thing that has checked their development
has been their fear of being overwhelmed by foreign
immigration This has led them to prohibit mining
the cutting of timber, the making of roads. and
even the leasing of land to foreigners
With many fine qualities they ar
an egotistical, cunning suspicious and crafty race
Their taste for pomp aud display has been stimulated
rather than restrained by the missionaries, maHy o
whom have come from mOnaTcnical countries, an'
have fostered in the ruling class p belief IN the in
feriority of the common people. They are natura
orators and have great fondness for speaking"
Ii might be said here that this was shown on thu
first ambassadors speech in taking leave of The
President which struck all present as graceful and
wel-turned. This gentleman said also shat TIT
advances made by the Hoyas since the former treaty
with them by our Government ia 1867 were great
SOME OF THE ADVANTAGES OF THE TREATY.
Many advantages claimed for Americans IN
der the new treaty. While foreigners cannot buy
land they will now be able TO obtain leases for any
length of time by inserting an agreement for re
newal The treaty stops the practice of the Gov
eminent of demanding the services Of its slaves
who may he working for merchants, without CIV
ing any notice This has caused great loss and au
hoyance Now months notice will be required
Liberty of the press is conceded The privileges o
trading at ports which not ports of entry, o
landing and storing coal, and of landing
goods in bond are granted. The wal
is also opened to internal Improvements
which will develope commerce aud benof
American trade. Among the principal importation
from America now are brown cottons and petroleum
THE TREATY CRITICIZED AND EXPLAINED.
Two points i'll the treaty have been criticized
that which recognizes the territory OF the QneeE 0
Madagascar TO mean the whole of Madagascar
on the ground that it might involve
our Government IN controversies with other tribes
pnd with the French, who now seem disposed t
plain part of the island, and anOt her which aOw
Americans citizens TO employ slave labor. COnsu
Robinson. having obtained the consent of tn
Secretary of State, made this explanation
"The clause IN the treaty which recognizes TN
IL 49, IL