The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1895-10-09
WAR IN MADAGASCAR
THE FRENCH TROOPS AT LAST
CAPTURE THE ISLANDS
CAPITAL CITY.
GREAT REJOICING In FRANCE

The Two Countries Have Been Con-
tending for More Than Ten Years
over Madagascar's Right 10 Actin
dependently of the French Resi-
dents in Granting Exequaturs to
Foreign COnsuls-The War is Now
Practically at an End.
PORT LOUIS, Island of Martins, Oct.
8.-Advices received here to-day from
the Island Of Madagascar announce that
the French expeditionary force, which
has been advancing upon the capital for
many weeks, has captured Antanana-
riyo on September q. The prime min
lister and the court, it is added, fled to
Amobistra, The news was brought to
the coast by couriers from Natomaudry
on September both.
Dispatches received from Tamatave
say that Faralatra was bombarded by
the French on October 3, and that it was
attacked by assault on the following day.
Paris RejOiCes Over the Victory.
PARIS, Oct 8.-A dispatch received
here from Port Louis, Island of Mauritius,
announcing the capture of Antananarivo
BY French troops, caused great relief to
the government as it has been recognized
for some time past that the defeat of the
French troops meant a change of minis
try. The news quickly spread through
out the city, causing great excitement
and much rejoicing.
France and Madagascar have b1en at
logger heads for more than ten years,
chiefly over the right of the government
Of Madagascar to act Independently of the
French residents in granting exequaturs
to foreign consular agents and consuls.
According to the French, by the treaty
Of December, 1885, the French residents
and military guard of French troops
were to reside at the capital and control
the foreign relations of Madagascar,
making the island, to all intents
and purposes, French .protectorate.
The Government of Madagascar has all
along denied that the treaty gave France
the right she claimed, holding that lie
Myre de Vilers, the French diplomatic
agent in 1887, entered into an engage
ment with Madagascar, on behalf of
France to the effect that the exequateurs
of consuls and consular agents should be
given in the future as in the past by
Madagascar and that the later treaty
did not change the situation
Roughly speaking this question is
based on the dispute which led to the dis
turbances during which the representa-
tives of France were insulted by the
populace and sighted by the government
of Madagascar; in addition, q
number of Frenchmen were as
sassinated. In September 1894
matters finally reached such a state
that NJ. LIE Myre De Vilers was sent to
Madagascar with an ultimatum from the
French government, insisting, in sub
stance, that France should control the
foreign relations of Madagascar. The
ultimatum was delivered to the Prime
Minister, Ramilairivony, who is also the
husband of the Queen Ranavalona II.
After several days of deliberation, the
prime minister rejected the ultimatum,
saying that Madagascar would only sub
NIT to superior force. M. De Vilers and
all the French agents thereupon re-
turned to Tamatave and France began
making preparations to bring the Hovas,
the predominant tribe of the island, to
terms. In November last, the French
Minister for Foreign Affairs, NJ. Hona-
tux, asked for a credit of $4,000, 900
francs and $4,000 men for an expedition
to Madagascar, and his request was
promptly granted.
The expedition, which was planned by
Gen. Borgnis Gesbordes, left France in
January under command of General
Duchesne. The insalubrity of the eli
mate has proved more dangerous foe
to the invaders than the natives, and the
capture of the Malagassy capitol has
been accomplished at great cost Of life
and health.