The Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1895-1897, 1895-10-09
FRENCH WAR AT MADAGASCAR
They Finally Capture the Capt.
tai Of the Country.
Xhe Government 10 Greatly Relieved, and
Hhefe is Much Rejoicing In Paris and
france Generally-It Was Understood
That Defeat OF the Troops Meant 81
Change In the French sIInistry-rhe
Cause OF the War.

FORT LOUIS. ISLAND OF MAURlr1us,
oct. s.-Advices received here TO-DAY
from the Island of Madagascar an.
nounce that the French expeditionarv
force, which has been advancing unon
the capital for many weeks past, CAP
tured Antananarivo on September 81.
Inc prime minister and the court, ir is
added, fled to Amobistra. The news
YVES brought to the coast by couriers
from Vatomaudry on September 40.
Dispatches received from Tamatave saw
that Faralatra was bombarded by the
trencn on october 3, and that it was at.
lacked by assault on the following dsy,
fAhls, oStooer S-A dispatch received
hero from Port Louis, Island O. Maurj-
thus, announcing the capture of Ants.
nanarivo by French troops caused great
relief to the government, as It has been
recognized for some time past that the
oefeat OF the French troops meant a
chsnRe OF ministry. The news ouicklv
spread throughout the oity, causinS
great excitement and much reioicinp
France and Madagascar have been at
loggerheads for more than ten yesrs.
chiefly ever the right of the govern
ment OF Madagascar to act indspend-
emily OF the French resident in grant
ing exequaters to foreign consular
agents and consuls.
treaty OF December. 1898, the French
resident and a military guard of French
troops was to reside at the capital and
control the foreign relations OF NADIA
gascar, making the island, to all in
tents and purposes a French pro-
tectorate. The government of MAZDA
gascar has all along denied that the
treaty gave France the right she
Claimed, holding that nj. LIE Myre de-
Vllers' the French diplomatic agent, in
1873, entered into an engagements with
Madagascar on behalf Of France to the
effect that the exequstors OF consuls
ana consular agents should be given in
future as In the past by M adagsscar and
the later treaty did not change the situa.
tion.
Roughly speaking. on this question
is based the dispute which led
to disturbances during which the
representatives of France were in
suited by the populace and sliehted
oy the government of Mads-
gascar; In addition numbe of French
men were ssassineted. In Septemb Der,
1894 matters finally reached such q
ssase tnet M. LIE Myre de Vilers was
sent to Madagascar with an ultimstum
from the French government Insisting.
In substance, that France should control
the foreign relations OF Madagascar.
The ultimstum was delivered to the
prime minister, Ramilair-Ivony, who Is
also the husband of Queen Ranavalona
II.
After several days of elaboration, the
prime minister rejscted the ultima tum,
saying that Madagascar would only sub
NIT to superior force. NJ. de Vilers and
all the French agents thereupon re-
turned to Tam atave, and France began
maklng preparations to bring the
hovas, tho predominant tribe os tho
island, to terms. In November last the
french minister for foreign affairs, M.
Hanotaux, asked for credit of O., OOO,-
GOO francs and Is. 900 men for an expe-
dition to Madagascar, and his request
was promptly granted.
The expedition, which was planned
by General Borgnis- Gesbordes, left
France In January under command Of
General Duchesne. The insalubriety OF
the climate has proved more danger.
GUS foe to the invaders th.u the natives.
and the capture of the Malagassy cap
ltal mas been accomplished at a great
cost OF life and heath.