Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-03-17
Especial Telegram to the Globe. I

| WASHINGTON, March 16.-"What is the
cause of the attack of the French fleet upon
your island of Madagascar" your CORE
spondent asked of Observation-Disclosures
the head of the Malagassy envoy, at the
Arlington hotel to-day. His flag was flying
from the flagstaff of the hotel and he oc-
cupied the most eligible parlors of that
eligible hostelry.
"Ah," he said with a smile, as he extend
ed his hand, ''that is complicated ques-
ton. and one that will require good deal
of study of the subject to reply" He
spoke in very good English. He was
dressed in a natty fitting suit of dark
goods, made in the present style. He was
about the size of the average colored voter
and about the same color, not jet black nor
yet light enough to be designated as "sad-
die color" but rich, dark, oily brown.
His hair curled pretty close, but
was not kinky in the extreme
sense. He wore mutton chop whiskers
! which of course were black, and a mus
tache which would make the youth of ten
der years green with envy. He was rather
stout, and in general appearance was very
much like the colored congressman Bob
Smalls, of South Carolina.
''We do not believe all of that story
telegraphed from Vienna said DR..
Tacchi, the secretary of the party, to whom
your correspondent was referred as the
talking man of the company. at is an
impossible story, and was, we think, in
vented for purpose. 1t is small sec
ton of very large plot against Madagas-
car"
''How is that?"
swell, you see, the French, who claim a
portion of the island, refused to make any
treaty with Us while we were ia Paris, and
they don't want to see US make any close
alliance with the people of this country
or England and if they can create the i'm
preston that France is going to make war
on Madagascar or that they have the right
to part of the island, they think they can
lessen the chances of our trip being sue
cessful."
"Then you think that"
| I'VE think that the story of the French
having blockaded the ports or made an at
tack upon the island is probably untrue"
chimed in Consul Robinson, who was one
of the party, yet it is not impossible that
something of this sort may have occurred
for we are advised that the French were in
towering rage when we left Paris, be-
cause of the fact that they had been una
bic to bring things about to suit their pur-
pose. Duclerc, it is said, Immediately sent
another war ship or two into that section
with several orders and it may be that this
is the result
Sand does France really want to get pos
session of Madagascar"
''That is undoubtedly her real object.
near to Madagascar, is peopled By French
subjects, creoles, and they want to get
foothold on the island of Madagascar"
''And do they claim any rights there?'
eyes, they profess to have a copy of a
treaty or protectorate, which a chief of
one of the tribes on the northwest coast
made with their representatives some
thirry-fve or forty years ago, but they
take good care not to exhibit it. There
has been an anxiety to see that treaty,
and see what it was like, but the utmost
efforts have been unsuccessful"
"There is a queer tale told there"
said Mr.. Robinson, taking up the narrative,
union came over to the northwestern coast
early one morning and told the chief of
one of the tribes he was wanted over at
Reunion. He went over, so the story goes,
and when ne came back reported that he
was forced to sign this protectorate while
away. That is the story of the protector
ate there, and the old chief is said to be
yet alive
rs that the entire claim of the French ?''
'No, they claim some old grants or some
thing of that sort, made many years ago,
before the Hovas, the present reigning
| tribe, came into power
rs Madagascar an important point
from strategic point of view-as war
| station, for instance"
son yes, very. Andthis is doubtless one
strong reason that is prompting her in her
efforts to get control there. Then, besides,
the country is valuable one. and capable
of supporting several millions of people,
millions ?"
Eyes, indeed. 1t has probably 100000
now and could support from 100000 to
10000, OOO."
AN ASSISTANT TREASURER.
The selection of an assistant treasurer,
which Office will be made vacant by the
promotion of MIR. Wyman, will depend en-
tirely upon the wishes of the new treasurer.
It is pretty we'll settled that the appoint
ment will be made from the treasursr's
office. Wyman was promoted in the face
of one of the most eager protests of work
ing politicians and the opportunities of ex-
members of congress who nearly broke
their hearts longing for the place. Mr..
Wyman is a man in the neighborhood of
forty-fve years of age. He is tall and in
clined to be stoop-shouldeled His face
and manner indicate reticence of an ex-
IRENE character. His complexion is sal
low, forehead square and broad, eyes blue
and small, nose aquiline and fine lined,
and cheek bones high. The lower part of
his face is hidden by an iron gray
mustacha and short hard TbicI