New-York tribune., 1895-08-13
MADAGASCAR and THE FRENCH PRESa

GOVERNMENT ATTEMPTS AT SUPPREsSINo II.
FORMATION NOT LIKELY TO BE SUCCESSFUL
cable dispatch reported some days ago that
"Ie Figaro" OF Paris might be indicted by tho
French Government for having published alarming
news about the Madagascar expedition. IL was
added that the delinquent paper In order 70 prove
lis good faith would publish documents ex-
nosing TO their discredt the manner In which the
expedition had been undertaken and conducted oy
the Ministers The cupabity OF lie Figaro was
not greater than that OF several Radical organs Ia
Paris Ike "L'Intransgeant. la Justice ana la
Petite Republique." which had repeatedly puohsheo
from tie beginning virulent attacks on the colonai
nolicv or the Government and the msmana cement
Of the Madagascar affair. But the Ministry hesl-
tated, probably. to begin a night with Rochetor~
Clemenceau Jaures. who are known az strong
supporters Of the Republic and enjoy great ihh"-
ence lie Figaro" Is suspected. especially since
the death OF it's former editor VI. Maynard.
OF being the organ OF n moderate. even monarch'ca%
opposition toward the Republican Government
At any rate the explanation OF the dlspatch
above mentioned may be found In the Figaro OF
July 81 and August 2 received by the latest "a''
from France The former number contains on its
first page a significant cartoon, drawn oy 'ns
famous artist NJ Fordn. who Is admitted sehera"y
to have inherited the caustic and witty genius OF
the celebrated French carlcaturist Gran'he' anu
the MARQUIS de Noe who signed himself Cham
II represents two military patients lying AT Maua
gascar, In hospital beds. The regimentai phsSeia"
has lust visited them. and while he washes nis
hands IN a basin held by nurse, he says u"s
them anything they ask for. except what IL "eceS.
sary for writing" That cartoon illustrated the fact
generally known in France that the Government
wants to he the only source Of information about
the expedition and Is anxious TO suppress news COM
Ing directly from soldiers in private letters IL nAs
been said that official orders have peeh given '"'
all telegraphic or postal communications from 'ns
expeditionary corps in Madagascar should De SUI
mitted TO the special Bureau OF Information al
tsched 10 the general staff OF the invading army.
Still even this official has represented the SIT
uation as rather unsatisfactory. though without
stating, OF course, where the responsibility lay.
This is what lie Figaro" has done superhcialy.
following the example of several other papers ID
It's editorial Of August ?. when II rays. while con-
densng the accusation formulated by public opinion:
This Madagascar expedition has been 50 aueeriy
conceived SO badly prepared by Ministers who were
less anxious correctly TO fulfil their functions than 70
keep their office, and abandoned with such ieV'ty
to all the hazards of the imprevu unforeseen CIR
cumstances). that the first revelations. whch nav
moved the French hearts. were considered al hrss'
as tainted with unlkeliness. Ministerial journai-
lists had then play TO declare that the iaui's
imputed 10 the War ana Navy departments were
exaggerated. and they did not fail to do IT, ILL.,,
Therefore II some thousands OF wagons, "rac1 tns
sent there, were not used, II Is oeSius '"as
was an impossibilty since no roads existed.
chartered vessels cannot land their cargoes through
want OF a wharf, and claim cons derabe naemni-
ties for delays that IL because. you should under
stand II was not possible 10 suppose that the bot
tom OF the MaJunga Bay was made OF coral rocks
and not OF sand. 1t appears that there are no
hydrosraphic maps at the Navy Department. II the
expedtonary corps is exposed TO the danger OF not
reaching Antananarivo before the bad season. and
consequently TO suffer from disastrous stagnation
this IS because bureaucratic traditions exact that
there should never be any haste ana TRADITIONS
have 10 be respected. .
such are IN reality the strong arguments and
answers furnished to us. for the last torty-esht
hours by the friends OF the Ministry. We admire
their auiacity. 1t may delay for few hours the
explosion OF pubic anger People still doubling
thai the monstrosities talked about in subdued
voice can be verified But the explosion will come.
unfortunately. We can atirm. from some informa-
ton the divugence OF which would yet be prema-
ture, that II Is unavoidable. The actual Ministers
are acting II lneptie' Criminal carelessness)
was a policy. Events will show them that they are
mistaken"