The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1897-05-06
A QUEEN IN EXILE.
The French Justificnt ton of the De-
thrOnement of RanaVnIOna Ill

I
had informed the colonial minister of
the hostile attitude of the Malagasy
nobility, who, it is said, were trying to
form an anti-French political party
round her majesty. Although deprived
Of her title of queen of Madagascar, and
reduced to a sovereignty more nominal
| than effective over the tribes Of Imerina,
Ranavalona, thanks to the prestige of
the dynasty to which she belonged,
might have become, in the opinion of
| the French, a serious danger to them in
times of trouble and revolt 1t is true
such is not the case as present, but it is
the duty of prudent chief to be on his
guard, and prepare for possible contin-
| gencies. Gen. Gallieni, on assuming the
supreme command at Antananarivo,
| pointed out clearly to Ranavalona the
| line of conduct which France imposed
on her. Her majesty promised to obey,
and to assist the French in the economic
| Development of the island and the civili-
cation of the people. Events have
| proved, say the French, that she was
unable to keep this engagement. The
situation became more and more diff
cult, and ultimately Gen. Gallieni was
| forced to take the severe measure al
| luded to, on the ground that the name
of Ranavalona was being made use of
to disturb the country and attack the
French occupation. The queen was
| forthwith banished to Reunion, where
her uncle, aunt and sister had preceded
! her. The dethronement of RanavalOna
is considered by the French as the final
confirmation of the regime of anneXa-
ton proclaimed at Madagascar about a
year ago. Henceforth, they say, they
will be sovereign masters of the island,
and nobody will venture to dispute their
rights.
The queens departure, according to
the latest news from French resources,
did not give rise to any incident. 1t
| took place under suitable escort, and
with the ceremony due to sovereign.
| She, however, wept bitterly as she left
| her kingdom. A certain sum of money
will be raised from the budget of the
| island to pension her and enable her to
live in a style sufficiently sumptuous.
Her deposition, say our neighbors, is
not likely to arouse the susceptiblities
of any foreign power, her case being
| identical with that of the celebrated
Behanzin. As regards the native gov
ernOr-general, whom Gen. Gallieni has
instituted at Antananarivo. his name
has not yet been given. 1t is supposed.
| however, that the choice of the resident
general will fall on Razangi, who is
said to have great influence with the
people, and who has always been a
warm partisan Of France.
Ranavalona Ill, it will be remem-
bered, mounted the throne of NADIA
rascar in 1888, and is now 80 years of
age. Before becoming queen, to the
detriment of her eldest sister. she was
n very humble condition, and in
spite of her royal origin, lived almost
n poverty. One of her uncles was a
butcher at AntananarivO. AS every
body knows, the queen of Madagascar,
according to the custom of the country.
did not govern; the prime ministers
alone directed the affairs OF the island.
The last premier was Rainiliarivony
who was eXiled to Algeria. where ne
died recently. For some time past
that is to say, since the annexation of
Madagascar-the postofprime minister
has been abolished, and the direction of
affairs is now in the hands of the
French. Ranavalona rarely left her
palace, perhaps not more than five or
six times year The laws of the king
dom, however, prescribed that she
should pass month every year in the
sacred city CT Ambosnimanga, where
the remains of her ancestors are buried.
She was very clever in needle-wOrk of
all kinds, but she preferred the amuse-
ment of flying kites, which is said to be
n national game, and did not detest
either cards, dominoes or lotto. at
which she played with the women of
the court. HenCeforth, in her land of
exile, she viii! be able to resume these
innocent amusements, if she can re-
cover from the loss of her crown.
The queen reigned - years. 1t was
during the French expedition in 1883
that the caprice and political calcula-
tons of the late prime minister placed
her on the throne, which had become
vacant by the death of Ranayalona II.
She was then young and handsome,
and the widow of one of her cousins,
and never dreamed of the fortune in
store for her. She was only a very dis
tant relative of the deceased queen, and
ought to have given way to her eldest
sister, Rasendranora. But The latter
was set aside for special reasons. 1t
appears that she was given TO drinking,
and, on the whole, led a very irregular
life. This reason alone was sufficient
to make the prime minister reject her
claims to the throne, and to choose the
young widow referred to. But Rama
valOna III. was not happy in her mar
riage. Rainilaiariyony was Jealous and
despotic. But all is now changed. The
prime minister is dead and buried. and
Ranavalona will no longer wear the
crown and purple, or conspire to upset
the French. Her reign is indeed over
and in her exile she will have time to
reflect on the vanity of human wishes,
London Globe.
The Cheerful Idiot.
81 think you have made a slight mis-.