Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-04-06
200, coo natives who are said to have been
present.
The Queens Speech.

100000 natives who are said to have been
present.
The Queens Speech.
After that the queen made a speech to her
people. She mixed Bible quotations
throughout her address, saying, among
other things: The fear Of the Lord Is the
beginning Of wisdom and righteousness
exalteth a nation" She promised to pro-
tect her country and stand up like a man
with her people against any one who might
attempt to take even hairs breadth Of 1t.
She urged her subjects to obey the laws,
and said that she expected to obey them
herself, closing this statement with the
words:
II wish no ones life to be taken. Who
ever forsakes the paths Of Righteousness
walks In the paths of darkness Is 1t not
SO. oh! my people?"
Her Wars With the French.
That was the way that Ranavalona start
ed She kept up her good work. but not
outstanding, got into trouble with the
French. who had long proclaimed their
right to the protection of Madagascar. War
ensued. and at cost of many million dol
lars the French were finally victorious
They kept the queen for a time on the
throne. but found she could not maintain
order under the changed conditions, and
they took possession of the government.
At this time they treated Ranavalona
rather harshly. Instead of calling upor
her the general of the French army made
the queen call upon him. When she did sc
1t was to request that he be kind to hel
people and to say that she knew he would
treat them well.
Shortly after this Ranavalona was taken
away from the capital and exiled to the
Island of Reunion. Here she remained I'M
til five or six years ago, when she was
brought to France and then to Algiers
Upon her arriving at Marseilles she had
expected to go directly to Paris. She was
delighted with the idea of seeing the Pa
risian capital, and when she was told that
she must again cross the Mediterranean to
an exile home in Algeria she is said to have
burst into flood of tears, crying:
WHO is certain of tomorrow? Only yes
terday l was a queen: today 1 am simply
an unhappy broken hearted woman
A Captive in a Gilded Cage.
That was in the spring of 1899 and it rep
resents how she felt then. The woman 1
saw today bore no marks of sorrow and
she has, judge. become reconciled to her
situation. She may be a captive, but she
has a gilded cage and enough money to
satisfy all her wants. The French supply
her with one of the finest villas of AL
giers: she has horses and carriages and
she gives receptions and dinners and holds
a little court of her own. / am not sure
whether her allowance is five hundred or
one thousand dollars a month. but she has
enough on which to live comfortably. She
is now allowed to go to Paris for a month
every summer and she is one Of the social
figures of this fashionable colony.
1t was through card Of Introduction
from the American consul that met Queen
Ranavalona. / took interpreter with
me and by means of carriage climbed
the winding ways which lead from the
sea to the villas of Mustapha Superieur,
situated on the hill 600 feet above the har-
Dor. Here. surrounded by great hotels and
ma Gnificcnt homes. the former queen lives
with her aunt and niece, with French
woman who Is called her companion, but
who Is really guard. Nominally she goes
where she pleases, but really she is closely
watched by the government and her every
motion and every word is reported. When
| first presented my letter the servant came
back with the statement that her majesty
could not receive me as Madame Depret
was not present and the queen was not
allowed to hold any conversation with
strangers In her absence. She also sent
word that she would be glad to See me at
10 O'Clock this morning.
Her Majesty at Home.
When l called 1 first met Madame
Depret. l was admitted to the villa by a
maid servant and waited for a while In the
reception room at the right of the entrance,
Wner6 TWO faflS mats ana TWO paraSOlS
OF lavender and rose pink which hung on
the rack showed that the ladies were home
When Madame Depret entered my in
terpreter performed the introduction and
l presented my request for an interview
The madame replied that l could have an
audience with her majesty, although It
was contrary TO her custom to receive news
paper correspondents. She gave me to
understand that the queen would not talk
about politics and her own country, and
from the way she uttered the words l saw
that she meant them.
The madame then led the way into the
parlor, q large room fioored with blue tiles
and containing many sofas and chairs up
holstcred IN fine white satin.
A Pen Picture of Her Majesty.
We had hardly taken our seats before the
queen entered. Her aunt was with her.
and she also remained during the audience.
/ arose as her majesty came in and Madame
Depret performed the introduction Her
majesty shook my hand, looking me
straight In the eyes as she babe me well
come. She has a very small hand and her
eyes are large and beautiful. She is fine
looking woman and appears much younger
than she actually is. She has a high and
rather full forehead. a long somewhat thin
face and rather full lips, although by no