The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-04-22
THE ISLAND OF ASCAR.


THE ISLAND OF MADAGASCAR.
Success Is attending the arms OF France
ia that nations warfare upon the island
Of Madagascar ard news was received
yesterday OF the capture of Ambodivo-
hibc. The war arose. so far as can lie
learned from the probably one-sided re-
ports given out by the French govern
nent. over an affront TO iAe French repre-
sentative. but the real cause. no doubt,
rests In the desire % France 10 obtain
greater control Of the great African ISL
and.
The French newspapers always refer
TO the Malazasy tribes as barbarlans.
but this Is scarcely just. as the people OF
the island have within the last century
made great strides toward civilization.
The present queen. Ranavalona Ill. has
In her husband and prime minister an
enlightened adviser. and the people ruler
whose sobriquet. Deal Fair" given him
by general consent. is a fair indication
OF the character OF the man. Succession
10 the throne is hereditary. bat II male
heir be wanting. or through any infirmi-
~ or even want Of popularity should be
considered ineligible. the mobiles may elect
the sovereign. Ia lS1S one OF the widows
OF King Radama. known as Princess
Ranavalona. seized the throne. and dur
ing her reign the country refrigerated.
one OF her first acts being 10 inhibit
the Christian religion. France and Eng
land made a combined attack on the ISL
and. for the protectlOn OF European resi-
dents. bat Il was ill-managed and aban-
doned. She was succeeded In 1861 by her
son. RadRma H.. but his reign was char
acterized by internecine turmoil, and two
years after he was put TO death In his
own palace. His wife, Rasoherina, was
chosen queen. and one of her most Inn
portant acts was to pay million francs
TO a French commercial company. which
had by undue influence. she claimed Sc
cured the signature of her husband 10
important concessions. At her death her
cousin, RanayaIona II. became the SOW
erelgn. Her reign was marked by extra
ordinary progress Christianity was re-
stored. the queen and her husband were
baptised and idols were publicly destroy
ed. Schools were opened. and printing
presses imported. All the harbarous pun.
ishmcnts OF the old law were abolished.
polygamy was abandoned and divorce re-
stricted. She lived only two years. but
the work has progressed under her sue
cess0r. Ranavalona III The present
queen II the youngest daughter OF the
late queens sister, and IS now about g
years Of age She was educated at the
London Missionary Society Girls school
She dresses in European style, and her
palace j. furnished with modesn improve
ments. In accordance with the law OF the
country, SHE married her prime minister.
RalnilBiarivouy. who had been her auut's
husband. lie Is much older than she
but Is a man not only OF great admins
tratiyo ability. but possesses a charm
Ing personality.
The reason FOR the marriage Of the
queen and prime minister IS entirely po-
liticaL The queen Is regarded not so
much AS belonging Ga a royal race. as IN
most European countries. but as a mem
Der OF the class 81 mobiles. The prime min
lister has always been a ''corumoner." and
hy such marriage balance OF power is
supposed - Re retained between the two
sooiai constituents.
The population OF the islands IL about
S,5laeo. consisting OF several tribes chief
among which are the fIovas. who ars
the most advanced IN civilization. They
now dominate the whole Or Madagascar.
Thcir language may be considered the
standard OF Mslagasy. 81 is the most CO.
pious AMI the least nasal Il 81 not more
than seventy years since it was first re-
ducsd % writing by missionaries. The
literature consists OF collection u num-
hevless proverbs and few legendary
soraS or poems The Hovas unlike tha
netslleo. who average nearly six fees.
are below middle stature. Their complex
lon Is light olive frequently falrcF than
fhat found tn Sphuiarls Italians or
Turks They have soft straight or curl
ing hair dark hazel ewes a weil-pr0por-
TONED ans e~ers carrisg~. ana arc afstin-
Eutshst ty great activity and courage.
TIE N1yas are self-rclAnt AMI lnfaller-
tlat ana are possessed ~ = special fac
uity Tor organization ard administration.
Madagascar has no standard coin cur
rsr~y ~ Its oNn tssua. hut merely = nosu-
fnsl currency. vtth a unit dollar equal IN
weight "a tns Oh Spanish dollar II Is
srh3iVffef iuta halves quarters ard
theIr xnh3lV ls{ens. even into ore = 80
Taev a~s obtained ~ cutting the Eve
f-a1- pieee es the Latin Talon into bltz
Acting Co.F}l We-ter. iu September 1S-4
reported shat "tas five franc piece % the
LATIN I-nion~knowu among English
sfeeA&Irg people as the dollar. and agiorS
French reorle - the plastre--passes cur
rrut for q dollar Tnt1 March e. 1Nst.
trs Mexican dei'ar circulated practically
OF par Nigh tAs Latin rive franc piece
bat GA taRt dat@ it Vas 3erao1rtiEed ana
row the re0pta are rej9ctant TO accept
ans coin except thAt Of Frrnch migfsxe.
Tney los; cooe3eres. another flustra son
e. 'he theory that law. nog metal makss
money