The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-06-04
MADAGASCAR IRON RULER,

MIDIGAsC4R'S IRON RULER.
Return to France of tho Man Who Made .
Queen Stand in His Presence.
One OF the most interesting and forceful M
ofFrance has just ed to his native land for
rest and recuperation after some years OF very
arduous and responsible service. He Is Gen.
Gallieni who went to Madagascar In the fall OF
1895 to take charge OF the country after the
great island had been betrayed by the cow
ardice and incapacity OF the Hoyas into the
hands OF the French with scarcely drop OF
bloodshed by the natives for their Queen
and independence. When Galieni reached
tho capital he was proclaimed as Resi-
dent General but 1t was not long before
he signed himself Governor General Of NADIA
Rascar. and from that day to this he has ruled
the island with a rod OF iron. There Is no
doubt who is the ruler. from end to end. Of
the fourth largest island in the world. 1t Is
Gallieni. France has simply ratified his policy
and his deeds He has been the terror OF all
who raised their feeble hands or voices In OPP
position to tho new regime He is acoaime ed
to-day by all the rest OF Madagascar. and that
is practically the whole OF the island.
The character Of the man is indicated by his
official intercourse and meeting with the Queen
OF Madagascar. He had arrived In the country
Just about year after the French army on
tered the capital. After that time things had
gone at skies and sevens and an Instruction
airy spirit and then revolt had made great
Roadway among the Hovas. On Feb. %. 1897.
he sent word to the Queen that the Resident
General desired to see her at a certain hour on
the following day at his office. He believed
that the men who were fomenting rebellion
were making a tool Of the sovereign and he
had most important announcement to mako
to her.
RAnaviona III. returned answer that the
Queen of Madagascar gave audiences only at
dent General In an hour she received per-
emptory order from Gen. Galleni to appear at
time came she was there. As she entered the
Madame he said. - as am the representa-
republic. whose colony Madagascar is It is At
ting that you remain. standing to hear the mes
Gen. Gallieni then resumed his seat and tho
Queen for the first time IN her life standing on
words that abolished forever tho throne OF
Madagascar. The Resident General told her
OF his proofs that she was in secret alliance
with the traitors who were plotting to over
Was from that hour dsposed from I'll the t6rone
The poor Queen bore thu ordeal bravely.
showing then. as she had shown before. that
were a ackng IN her ts
who had boasted 80 loudly, Of their ,prowess
and invlncibilty before the French army
came. only to fee from the capital fast as
their legs could carry them when the crucial
moment came. leaving the Queen to the mercy
Of the yctors; She simply asked Gen Gallieni
that she might be permitted to live on the
Island OF Reuni on and he granted her request
n the prSoc ian alton 70 Which, u' Gen Gaien
issued TO the people on the evening OF his inter-
yiew.with the Queen, he told them Of Der down;
fall Royalty has become useless in lmerina,"
he said, +" For FIVE months you have seen me at
work I have shown you the meaning Of the
SSy that H Re sole so
erciGn in Madagascar. and that she does not
to hrs s6 tEs n tn Mh
the Ma agasy who labor in peace and are faith
full and obedent SUBJECTS OF France. shall
the others. to the rebels. the mutinous. OF
whatever rank, shall untiringly metz, out the
hunt them down to their lairs. l have done.
Heed m, ny words. You know that what say.
He has kept his word In all respects to the
letter. His name has been terror to all who
sought. by refuge in the forests or In other
ruled the Hovas justly. but with rod OF iron.
Some Of his acts have made him extremely
avar and ha ss
You Betsieos, he said to the people Of this
tribc when he visited their country and 10000
Of them gathered to hear his words. have
seen, th1tif France is strong she is generous
your people furnished numerous slaves to the
Hovas. Sakalavas and other tribes These
slaves have been freed and returned to their
families. who thought them lost forever.
Everywhere on my journey have been sur
rounded by them, pressing round me to ex-
press their gratitude"
There ia no doubt that Gallieni has done
wonders, and; as whole, the people Of NADIA
has treated many Of their leaders with much
severity. His soldiers have been among his
missionaries. He sent them out among the
people whose homes were ruined in the revolt
and made them help rebuild their houses. and
teach French to the natives His taxation sys-
tenn weighs equally upon all, and this has
made him more popular than anything else,
for the former tax extortions bore very heavily
upon the people. He has established num-
erous schools. and the French language Is the
first thing they must teach. Early and late he
You are always Betsileos." he said on one
OCCASION but you are also French, and you
must learn the French language and dress in
clothes OF French materials OF worldwide
renown for their quality" And with all his
laws and his severe Interference in everything
that in the slightest opposes the poll cy and
purposes OF France. he let's the people elect
their own chiefs and they have large meas
ure OF self-Rovernment and are free to exer-
else their own religion
France and her glory and the good OF the ma
tives are the inspiration OF GallienTs acts and
there are some Determinations against which
the representatives OF foreign nations have COM
planned. But the Governor General Is a most
faithful promoter Of his country's interests.
and there are few admin trators OF colonies
in any part OF the world who have the genius
for that business which Gallieni has shown in
his government OF Madagascar.