The herald., 1896-12-08
Approves the Policy of the
Government
AFFAIRS IN MADAGASCAR
Alleged to Be Unduly Influenced by
British Gold
A Proposition to Expel All Foreign Mis-
sionaries Is Voted Down-Anxiety
Regarding the Niger Expedition.
A ssociated Press Special Wire

Associated Press Special Wire
PARIS, Dec. THE chamber of de-
puties today after discussing the Mad
agascar crisis, approved the policy of
the government by a vote of 431 ayes to
81 nays.
Mons. Michelin questioned the cham
Der regarding the recall Of Mons. La
rochet, the French resident general in
Madagascar, and the governments In
tentions for colonizing and governing
the islands In so doing he declared that
English gold was at the bottom of the
Hova uprising, and the Hovas and Mons
Larochet were pensioners of the English
Continuing, Mons. Michelin asserted
that Mons. Larochet, who owed his ap-
pointment to great political parsonage
(meaning President Faure). had been
notoriously incapable.
The minister for the colonies, Mons.
Lebon, here interviewed and pointed out
that the rumored influence of tn politi-
cal parsonage referred to had already
been denied. Mons. Michelin wished to
insist upon his questions, but the presi-
dent of the chamber, Mons. Brisson in
terrupted him, saying that the house
was only cognizant of ministerial acts.
Mons. Michelin then asked for expla
nations on the subject of the state of
slavery said to exist in certain parts of
the island, and that the Carnoilz conces-
sions, which. the deputy claimed, were
equivalent to a complete abandonment
of Madagascar to the English. He ad
mitted it was said that Mons. Carolie
formerly represented French company.
but. he asked. would the government
grant it a concession when IL was really
English companies who offered to build
the railroads? Thereupon Mons. Niche
lin moved that the government grant the
railway concessions to a French COM
pany without guaranteeing interest or
granting territory.
Mons. Lebon answered that the circu-
lar abolshing slavery had been pub
lished and was being enforced and said
the government would not think Of
granting concessions to a company
which was in any way foreign
Mons. Guiyesse, remarking that Mons
Michelin had spoken of English gold"
pointed out that the English mission
aries have been the first victims of the
disorders. No important changes had
been made since Mons. Larochet left
the island. and Gen. Gallieni. the presi
dentgeneral of Madagascar. had not ex
PEELED any of the foreign missionaries.
NJ DeHdHly main tdlHeu tIldt M. LdrO-
chet had obeyed the Bible Societies,
who had protected him." adding:
These societies are working the ruin of
our influence and stealing our possess
sions. They are to be found throughout
French, territory, carrying out the
works
In conclusion, NJ De Mahy asked the
of the English Methodists, exclaiming
that it was time for their occult infiu-
ences." (Cheers)
Nj. Rounet moved that the government
expel the Jesuits, Marists, Methodists,
etc, from Madagascar
To this suggestion M. Lebon replied
that General Galleni had full powers to
act against any propaganda of q politi-
cal character, but France would not be
right in expelling preachers en- masse.
Eventually NJ. Michelln withdrew his
motion and the governments motion CT
confidence was adopted.
NJ. de Loniele proceeded to discuss the
Soudan question, which, he exclaimed
had entered on new phase. France
he said, must make Great Britain re-
spect her rights. Treaties and dipio-
macy could bring that about; neverthe-
less he, NJ. Loniele, would vote for the
200, ,000,0 600 francs asked for to increase
the strength of the French navy.
Prince DArenberg remarked that no
African river was more important TO
France than the Niger 1t had been
almost entirely explored by Frenchmen
and France had made great efforts to
obtain its free navigation. But today
the British Niger company claimed
rights which it did not posses, and that
company had insulted the French flag.
for which insult France had not yet OBJ
tanned satisfaction. (Cheers.)
The British Niger company, Prince
D'Arenberg further said, had establish.
ed posts where the French flag had been
planted, and he urged the government to
watch closely the expedition which the
British Niger company was at present
organizing.
In reply, the minister for the colonies
said the Niger company boundary com
mission was now sitting in Paris, adding
that the government had instructed the
governor of the French territory to ra-
turn to his post, in view of the British
expedition. The minister also pointed
out that the government of Great
Britain had assured the French govern
ment that the Niger expedition did not
concern the territory claimed by France
The general discussion of the co1op;,1