The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-10-29
CUT OFF FROM THE WORLD.
Madagascar Learns what II IL TO he Three
Weeks without q Cable.

WCths VuuOut y ousV'
II the cable lines that connect us with
the rest Of the world were suddenly broken
We should feel lonesome. though there are
100000 600 Of us 10 keep one another com
pany. With fourteen cables across the
Atlantic and others to South America
there is little danger that We shall suser
from a suspension Of cable service; but
we can imagine that the discomfort ana
inconvenience Of such happening would TIE
great. Madagascar. however, has had tina,
experience. and the French and English there
have not yet got over bemoaning it.
Madagascar is among the four or five
largest islands in the world. Most OF
the millions OF inhabitants know nothing
and care less about cable communi-
cations with other countries: but some
thousands Of French soldiers. officials and
merchants. az well as English business men
and missionaries, live on the island, and
having tested the advantages Of sub
marine cable for some year,. they felt them
selves in very hard luck when one day In
June last they suddenly found Themselves
unable to hold converse with Europe,
Down the east coast Of Africa goes a cable
all the way from Suez to Cape Colony.
II has shore connections al a number Of
points on the African coast and also with
Majunga Bay, on the west coast Of NADIA
gascar.
This Ia one Of the largest and finest bays
in the world. but its waters have not yet
been dist urbed by the propeller of a large
ocean steamer. for most Of the sea trade Of
Madagascar is till concentrated on the east
side Of the island But Ne junga Bay is the
landing place for the cable. and telegraph
lines connect ii with Tananarivo, the capital,
with Tamatave. the chief port, and a few
other places. The white folks in NADIA
gascar became quite accustomed TO re-
ceiving news from Europe every day.
Suddenly break occurred in the cable
between Majunga Bay and the station Of
Mozambique on the African coast. For
three weeks rot biz Of intelligence from
Europe was flashed over the land wires.
The French and English say those weeks
were the longest they ever experienced.
While thus cut of from communication
June 20 came along, a day to which all the
British IN the island had been looking for
ward with happy anticipations. 1t was
the day when King Edward VII. was to be
crowned
For a month many people in Tananarivo
were making preparations to celebrate the
event. The British have important in
terests at the capital and thousands Of
natives who all their lives have had 10 do
with British missionaries, teachers AID
merchants are very kindly disposed to-
ward Great Britain; 20 the celebration was
10 be a big affair, and the French turned
in to help enjoy the day and make it a great
success.
The day dawned beautifully. OF course
not the slightest suspicion dawncd upon
anyone that something might occur 10
prevent the great cel, hration in London
But though London was Borrowing and
nearly the whole world was svmpathzing
with the stricken king and his people there
was one place where the celebration went
of according to programme, and that was
Tananarivo. The whole town made a
glad and festive day Of it.
There was a procession with brass bands
playing all the British music they knew,
great open air-mocting of the people,
which was addressed 10y a number Of speak
era. and banquet in the evening with fire.
works and other proceedings appropriate
for celebrating the coronation of King.
Everybody was happy because the oc-
casion passed so successfully
But when the telegraph instrument AZ
the Tananarivo Office began 20 click again
the very first newsft brought was the start
ling intelligence of the serious illness Of
the King and the indefinite postponemen,
of the coronation. few days later the
people heard that the King was RAPIDLY
getting better and they were not sorry
TINT they had their fun, after all
But now the French are clamoring for
another cable. They are sending word
home tina, they hope the project % con-
Meeting he island OF Reunion with NADIA
gascar will be carried out a. soon as pos
sible.
They are fully convinced bvsexperioncc
that il is not pleasant wholly to be Gu, of
from communications with the rest of
the world