The Helena independent., 1894-10-04
LION SHOWS HIS TEETH
British Greatly Excited Over the
Aggresslons Of the French
in Madagascar
Tho Latter Country Has Prac-
ticaliy Established Protector
ate over the Island.
Despite tho Claim of England That One
Seventh OF tho Island BeloBgs
to Iisr.

! LoypoN, Oct BAH the afternoon pa
peis prAVoly discuss the hss,y summoninR
Of lhe cabinet council. II 10 generally 90.
ooptod ss being connected with some
serious difficulty with FiAnce. The liberal
organ. tie Westminster Gazette. handles
tho subject tendeilY. evidently anxious not
10 excite ublic opinion ana thereby smbAT-
rAas the government. On the other hand,
tho conservative mouthpitces discuss the
matter mora fehrlsssly. and warn France
against enot toachinR upon British rights.
The Pail Mall GbEests says "The crisis
which nscrssithtes the oonyeninR OF a cab
met council must be ye;y sudden, AZ the
ministers were dispersed on the holidays.
II Ia quito possible, however. that proI Iosi-
tlons have been made 20 settle the various
differences"
The Gazette rofers TO an article printed
to-day In Politlque Colonible, OF Paris,
which reflects the Views OF the minister Of
colonies. NJ. DeLicasst. and which gives.
exclusive OF the questions OF EgJpt and
Madagascar, a list OF eleven outstanding
difficulties between France and England,
connected with the frontier, and similar
disputes In the AfIiosn colonies Tho Po-
litiQus Colonisle. however. SAYS manv Of
these have practically beer settled and none
Of thom would justify a rupture, unless one
country was bent upon picking a quarrel
with the other, which. tho paper adds 10
not the case.
The Pail Mall Gazstte, in spite OF this
says the aIticls In the PolitiQue Coloniale
is ''unirisndly 10 the verge of disoourtesJ." J"
adding "aud II 10 reflects the spirit In
which the French ministers intend 10 dis-
cuss tho difficulties with England. We may
prepare for trouble some time. We do not
wish to quHrtel with Francs. bat. on tho
other hand We are indlspossd TO permit
tresphssinR upon or unquestioned rights.
The bu lying spirit which tells Frsnohmen
that they have only TO brhg and bluff
enough 10 force England to surrender may
easily lead TO that belief" Too Gazstte
then continues:
"Ihs Daily Chronicle says war betwesn
France and England must be regarded ss
inconcsiyAble madness. IL may be mad
ness, but IL is not inconeeiVable. France
must bo told courteously, bot FIRMLY, tha,
we have not the slightest desire TO attack
or provoke ber, bot IL attached, we shall
dsfeGd ourselves to the last eItrenlty."
The Globe also expresses the beliof that
tho hu ried calling of the cabinet council
| 10 due to disputes with France, adding I'VE
believe there IL no ground for Dpblic alarm
or suspicion, but We cannot surrender any
pa of England's rights or shirk any part
of her duties Our strhinsd relations with
| Franco are not matter of day's growth
nor connected entirely with Madagascar
We have pointa OF contact with the French
throuahout the world and each 10 possible
of having fostered irritation which may
easily become strife. Ii ia certain that the
tame way In which we have allowed our
selves 10 be outwitted in tho far east during
tho last yea. and the manner in which We
stood by vhile France pArtitioned our
heritage, Siam. has done much 10 persuade
the moro ilnorant or hot-heAdsd French
men that England is not so very tor isle
after oil.
"To-dny's newa OF the blockade of the
Island Of Madagascar sess st rest all doubts
as to the immediate business OF to-mor-
rows cabinet council lhe ministers have
decided upon resolute course OF action,
and the public will await with anxiety The
news OF their decision. We want no panic
or worfares. but We need the assurance that
our interests will be properly safcxusrded
hni our allies protected. Tho French will
fad that we shall have a word 10 say about
tho Madagascar question before IL 10 sot-
tied. and Lord RosebsrrJ may rely upon
the unionistS 10 support him Loyalty and
heartily IN the interest, OF the empire"
ANrNRAvIo, Madagascar, Oct. a. A
blockade OF the ports OF ths island OF Mad
RqAscHT has been proclaimed BY France.
The resident general has gone 10 Iamntayc.
He has been instructed TO take measures TO
pl otect the coloniats in tho Svont Of var.
PAHs Oct. a-Tho minister OF foreign
affairs denies that blockade OF Madhgas-
oar had been proclaimed by France. The
minister OF marine declares that before
such a stop should be taken The European
powers would havs 20 be informed of the
intention of France.