The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-10-10

Court-The French Made a Treaty with
Breaking It-Her Husband Wears a
Badge of the Legion of Honor-Full
History of the Trouble in Her Dusky
Land.
New York, Oct 9.-Since the recent
capture Of the capital of Madagascar
by the French, a great deal Of curiosity
has been felt in this country concern
ing the cause of the war and dynasty
that ruled.
Very little is known in this country or
the war, but people Of that populous
island are fighting for the same prln-
ciples which dominate the Cubans IN
their rebellion against the mother coun-
try. There is no difference, however.
The Cubans are fighting TO attain in
dependence and liberty, while the peo-
pie of Madagascar are striving TO pre-
vent the French from placing yoke
upon their country.
The other day a short paragraph was
cabled to the p apers in this country an
nouncing in a few words the fact that
put to death his five secretaries be-
cause he suspected that they were be-
traying state secrets to the French
He did not accuse all of them of this
crime, but he had facts to prove that
one or two of them was guilty. 1t
was impossible to fasten the crime upon
any particular one, so he had all OF
them executed to make sure that the
guilty ones were punished.
This prime minister is remarkable for
many reasons. In the first place, his
name is Raiuilairivoni, which in itself
is enough to make him famous in any
land. But he also happens to be the
husband of the queen of Madagascar,
although he is an old man Of 66-years,
while she is but 30 and in the very flush
of womanhood. But aside from these
he has more legitimate claims upon
fame. OF peasant origin, he rapidly
worked himself to the fore, and has
been the leading statesman of his coun-
try for moer than generation. He is the
real leader of the nation, and has sery-
ed as such under three queens. To-
day in Madagascar he is what Bismarck
used to be in Germany and Gladstone
in England.
A CURIOUS QUEEN.
Madagascar is curious mixture. The
queen is a Christian, but she chews to-
bacco and expectorates in a silver vase.
her husband is very proud of French
Legion of Honor collar which he wears
night and day, but If any native should
happen to EXPRESS a favorable opinion
of the French in his presence that ma
tive would very suddenly be waited in
10 eternity. Thesqueen has fine, big
Bible, plen tifully emblaZoned in gilt,
at her side at all times, but she orders
the execution of an enemy like another
woman orders her breakfast.
The queen is seldom without large
chunk of tobacco In her mouth, and as
she sets the style in Madagascar all of
the court ladies, not TO be outdone in
the matter of fashion, also have large
chunks of tobacco in their mouths. At
q royal function where ali the ladies
are chewing tobacco industriously an
American lady might be shocked. But
the Madagascar ladies regard it as a
rare accomplishment, and the society
buds there are taught to chew with the
same care that American parents teach
their girls to dance or play upon the
piano. 1t is ore OF the polite arts there
and a lady who d 9es not chew is as
badly handicapped socially as a woman
here who eats with her knife.
HOW THE QUEEN LOOKS.
The queen is called Ranavalona III.
Her features cannot be called delicate,
and in complexion she is pretty dark,
much darker than most of her subjects.
Her figure is above medium height. She
dresses in European garments. and up
on state occasions wears a robe Of red
velvet and a crown of gold. Her US
ual resid ence is not the enormous three
story palace Moja Kamiandana, built
for RaVaValona l., by a French archi
tect, but stone mansion hard by call
ed the Palace Of Masandro, arranged in
good taste and with proper regard TO
comfort.
Her husband is something of Napol-
ron. He is small and lean and rich.
His wavy hair bespeaks his humble
origin. Under an air of good-fellow-
ship he conceals extreme energy, an
iron will and much keenness of intel
lecC. He lives in the Palace of Zanovo-
la, called the Silver House. because
when it was built for Prince Rakoto,
son OF former queen, the prince caus-
ed X to be studded with silver nails
and furnished with silver locks.
The -premie--king dresses plainly save
on great occasions, when he wears
holman of white satin, embroidered
with gold; short trousers. ending with
white stockings, with ribbon carriers;
great puskins with very high heels, and
suspended from his shoulder cross
belt, heavy with gold. which supports
p SalDer, whose ScaDDdTd OF plach lcdlU-
er is encrusted with gold.
CAUSE OF THE WAR.
The cause of the war which France is
how waging against Madagascar is
easily explained. The French are seek
ing to establish an actual protectorate
over the whole island, with the ultf-
mate design undoubtedly of annexing
IL outright The Hovas deny that in
the treaty OF peace they signed with
France in 1855. or in any other docu-
ment. they ever gave France the right
10 assume a protectorate over the is
land. The overtures fer peace in 1885
again and again broke down because
the Hovas would not have the obnox-
Ious word in the treaty or anything
that could be twisted TO mean the sur
render of the sovereign rights of the
queen.
This treaty was accepted by the Ma
iagasy only when the French govern
ment, eager TO end the war IN which
Frenchmen had persisted Ike sheep IN
the deadly climate of the coast without
gaining a single advantage for their
country. authorized the French pleni-
potentiary 20 dispense with the word
..protectorate."
France was to represent Madagascar
In her sovereign relations, and the
queen was 10 govern the whole island
except a few small districts on the coast
and the nearby islands which France
had acquired from 1921 10 1885.
But France has chosen 10 treat her
agreement with Madagascar as the thin
edge of the wedge leading TO protec-
torate Her residents at the capital
have been accused of nseddiing with the
queens land concessions and with con-
sular Jurisdiction. The Hovas say he
has put his finger in all sorts OF dones-
. fairs ard he brought many