New-York tribune., 1885-10-21

Then, too, they refused to employ civilized
methods In their warfare. 10 Is scarcely
credible, though certainly true, that they
bombarded many Malagasy ports without giving
time for the withdrawal of the women and children,
and alleged in justification of this barbarisn, that
the Malagasy were uncvlized people! facts
provo these simple islanders to be much better CIV
iliZed than the French for when the French ultl'
matum was rejected and the expulsion of the
French residents from Antananarivo followed the
Queen actually supplied the fugitives with bearers
and military escort, and saw then safely into the
French lines. And this magnanimous deed was
done after the French had bombarded Tamatave.
The insOlence and arrogance of Admiral Pierre on
that OCCASION indeed, might easily have led to war
between England and France had not the Gov
ernment promptly repudated its agent and rs
promptly recalled him. Apart from the misconduct
of officials however the whole course OF French
aggression was as unchivalrous and savage as II
could well be, and the barbarlsm of the civilized
nation was thrown into stronger relief by the
Christian genteness and forbearance OF the Mala-
gasy Government. But tho HOvas. the conquering
race in Madagascar who have occupied the country
from about the period of the Norman Conquest in
England are a people of heroic mould. and they
were not terrified by the prestige of the French
arms. From the first they pledged themselves to
resistance and they have redeemed that pledge
splenddly. To-day after years of Sighting, the in
vaders are nearer conquest than when they first
fired upon defenceless Tamatave. They can hold no
corner of the island. do what they will The lovas,
moreover are becoming stronger instead OF weaker
every year. The French have taught them the art
Of war; as the Arabs taught it to the Spaniards and
the Romans to the Germans. They have succeeded
in casting cannon of long range They make their
own Whitworth shells their rifles and fixed ammu-
nition They are developing the fine mir cral re-
sources of the central table-land. They are
actually advancing in civilization and material
wealth through the agency of the which is
directed against their national life. The prospect
that they will be subjugated is happily slight and
less than ever since the French elections have
shown unmistakably that the French masses do not
approve of this unhoy enterprise, and will not sus
tain any government that carries il on.
Mr. Shaw, the author of Madagascar and
France a missionary in the island for fourteen
years; was In Tamatave when it was bOmbarded
and was himself arrested and imprisoned by the
French on absurd charges which had to be aban-
dOned and for all of which wrongs the French Gov
ernment was compelled to pay a considerable IN
demnity. He travelled all over the country,
acquired the language-the lIova dialect Is the one
which dominatcs-and had abundant opportunities
for observation, which he used diligently as this
volume test6cs. The Nlalagasy have not been
Christians long, which perhaps accounts for the
fact that they are better Christians than the old
representatives of Chrstondom. That 1t Is a fact
must he concluded by all who read Mr.. Shaws book
carefully. The people are very interesting. They
have made rapid advances during the past half cen
tury in manufactures, architecture and education.
They are intelligent. and quick in acquiring new
ideas. Though probably the llOvas. and possibly
the tribes they conquered of Malay origin, they
appear to have lost the terccnc>s and tendency TO
cruelty which characterize the Malay Is seen
elsew here. They are described pcaccable
patient honest. moral and cheerful. Tho Hovas
and in fact all the tribes, brave, and resolute
to resist foreign aggression, but they have appar
emily ontliyed their former fondness for great
slave-catchng expeditions to nclGhborng
islands or the mainland. Slavery has not yet been
abolished among them. but it is a modified kind,
and the disposition to do away with it altogether
is said to be growing stronger continually
1t seems a pity that the harmless Malagasy should
have been set upon 50 ruthlessly by France. and
still to be regretted that the English Govern
ment did not come TO the rescue Of its weak ally
when quito possibly a little rcsolute expression
could have prevented hOstties. But there Is
consolation in the fact that France has not been
able to conquer Madagascar. and that in of
the present state OF French public opinion the safety
OF the gallant Hovas IS probably assured. They
have made a magnificent resistance throughout.
and have certainly earned the right to unmolcsted
development of their fine country; a test which
will absorb all their energies for the next century
if they are permitted TO undertake il.
Mr. Shaw has written useful and interesting
book about Madagascar. He gives much nforma-
ton regarding the fora and fauna of the country.
the products. manufactures, habits and customs.
The Malagasy are clearly progressive rcople, but
it is equally clear that they could not progress
under French rule and 1t is sincerely to be hoped
that no such misfortune as that will belall them.