New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-09-26

Private kilograms from Madagascar assert that
the entire supply Of provisions belonging to the
French expedition has been spoiled by the nigh
tides at Majunea. which submerged the stores
These dispatches further say that the deaths AT
Maiunga average forty day.
A letter from a correspondent at Natomandry says
that the French expedition is likely 10 fan as nun
dreds Of rs men are becoming invaded daily from
the success Of the expedition is the fact that the
railway contractor who undertook TO construct
failed to get his line through the swamps, which
are. rule, almost, ana In some cases "ho'ly' ii
penetrable.
The situation OF the French expedltionary corps
in Madagascar IS already bad enough. unfortu-
na,elv without being made still worse by sensa-
tional dispatches For instance. no serious atten-
ton should be paid to the alarming letter from d
CORE spondent al Vatomandry" That place is
seaport on the eastern shore OF the Island and sep
arated by coo miles through impossible country
from the western shore the actual seat Of the mill
tary operations Moreover. Vatomandry. since the
occupation by the French OF Tamatave. Is the near
est harbor 10 Antananarivo and the one through
which the Ma.agassy Government communicates
with the outer word Any information sent from
that place is communicated by the Hova officials
who are still in command al Natomandry. ana muat
he considered therefore. being quite unfavorable
10 the French invaders The correspondent is thor
oughly mistaken when speaking about the non
competition OF a railroad over the prOpostu rou'e
of the expedition No contract OF that Kind was
ever made. It intended to transport the troops
bv launches and lighters. towed by small gunboats
for a distance OF 80 miles inland. NJ the Beinbe-
Toxic Bay and the Betriboka and l1oya rivers, as
far a. Metavana. nearly outside OF Tie line or Inc
swampy and feversh region. + nc ne conveys
would nave been made with the co" leicDVre Wdg
ons of a special structure considered 10 be- We'll
adapted for the rough roads and paths Of tropical
countries Unfortunately. the boats were not ready;
the soldiers had to build road and march over the
l5o miles Of lowlands Then the few L4ifDyre carts
which had been abe 10 follow the invading column
proved TO be practically useless. That Is probably
what has caused tn badly informed correspond II
frcm NatOmandry 10 make confusion between
Inc wagons and an imaginary railroad destined 10
the transportation OF the expeditonary corps and
Of IT. impelmenta.
As to the reported loss OF the entire supply Of
provisions stored at Maiunga. That would be an
other sad occurrence. But another base o. sup
plies had been established, at SuberbievlHe.
and later on Andrba. about half way on the road
to Antananarivo. The flying column which is prom
ably now On rapid march toward the HoVns
capital under command Of General Noyron, carries
with its conveys all the necessary provisions the
supplies OF which be sent regul arly from the
magazines at Andriba At least, such were the IN
| tentions OF General Duchesne according to his
latest dispatches. which stated that byron ;
column especially composed OF marine infantry
and Algerian tlrailleurs 70 start from Andriba
on September Il. ana march without unnecessary
halts upon Antansnarivo. nearly 100 miles away.