The Mineral argus. [volume] (Maiden, Mont.) 1883-1886, 1885-06-11
MADAGASCAR.

AMI Ettty-6iRuy 0uEvtVOHD Vus VI =
Party OF Six Hundred.
From the Washington Star.
Lieut.. Mason A. Shufeldt, Of the
navy, who recently returned from the
exploration of Madagascar, mad quite
wonderful experience. As he told the
story of his travels to Star reporter
the other evening, it sounded more like
On interesting narrative Of adventure
from the world Of fiction than the ac-
tual experience of young naval officer
in the line of duty. "For q long time
] had felt q desire t. explore some of
the unknown eastern countries"
said Lieut.. Shufeldt, "but it was
not until u year after had
volunteered my services to explore
Madagascar that I was authorized to do
40. The course pursued by the French
in that country rendered it advisable
that some steps should he taken by this
government to obtain information Of o
general nature regarding the country
for commercial reasons. A cable mes
sage from the secretary Of the navy de-
tached me early last spring from my
vessel in China and sent me on special
duty in the shape of q trip through
Madagascar. had no instructions re-
garding the expedition AMI everything
was left to my own judgment. went
as far rs that country in the Pensacola
and then made my way direct to the
capital, Antananarivo. Now, to give
YOU an idea Of the country and what was
before me You must know that it is an
immense island, considerably larger
than the republic of France, with
population of about 5,0O0,00 The
greater part of it i; entirely unknown
and occupied by various tribes, who are
for the most part utterly uncivilized
and wholly barbarous.
The ruling people, however.
have reached quite high de-
gree Of civilization, and have
extended their power through n
great portion of the land, and would
probably succeed in subduing the whole
country but for the opposition Of the
French. Those people are called
Hovas, and are entirely distinct from
pond exactly with the Malay type,
while the rest Of the tribes all have the
African characteristics. The SUPPOSE
ton is that centuries ago these people
must have landed on the shores from
some Of the Eastern countries and set
tied there. 1t was impossible for
them to dwell near the marshy malari-
ous shore, so they pushed their way
to the elevated platcaus Of the interior,
where they still are. They have abso-
lutte control of about $4,000 square
miles. They are equal to the Japanese
in civilization, and are . progressive,
intelligent people. The capital has
about 300 white residents, principally
missionaries, and some OF the buildings
are beautiful.
The queen has her palace there. BY
the way. she il only 10 years old. and
is a very pretty girl. Her husband is
90 wears old. and is the prime minister.
The Hovas are literally surrounded by
these hostile nations that l spoke OF.
They had partly conquered them all
except the Sakalavas, who inhabit the
entire western part of the island. One
of the most important questions that
the country has to deal with is slavery.
Great numbers of slaves were annually
brought from Africa, and all OF these
tribes kept their slaves. About twenty
wears ago the queen emancipated them,
but the Sakalavas never recognized the
emancipation. They have immense
herds Of cattle, which are cared for by
the slaves or macaos, and without them
their herds would run wild. As said,
l made my way to the capital, but that
was an easy trip, without danger, aa
the civilizing effect of the Hovas is con-
siderable in the eastern part OF the
island. 1t was through the wild Saka-
lava country that my expedition proper
was to be made. / remained Mt the
capital three weeks perfecting the ar
rangements. had two interviews with
the queen, and guess vas the first
white man to shake her by the hand.
Shortly after arriving I gained her
sanction to the expedition, and ! saw
her again, Just rs l was about to stsxt
She intrustet. to me letters to the pres.
ident, which have just delivered to him
in person"
II gathered about me forces amount
M. to six hundred" continued the
IT,. tenant. They were all either ma
t',.s or slaves, with the exception Of
n, self and three miners who vOlun
tsered to 10, two Englishmen and NJ
American. At last we started on oul
journey Of GOO miles to tho western
coast. II was slow and attended will
many dangerous disasters. The hos
tile Sakalsvas lowered about MS during