THE INVASION OF MADAGASCAR.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3760, 3 August 1883, Page 4

THE INVASION OF MADAGASCAR.

English Opinion

Tho Daily Telegraph writes: —"A decided step has been taken by tho French Marine on tho coastof Madagascar. Admiral Pierre's squadron entered Bombutoka Bay, on tho north-west coast, and, after a bombardment of six hours, which inflicted great

loss on the Hova garrison, landed an armed force and possessed himself of Mojanga. Tho post thus forcibly occupied is on the earstern side of the estuary, into which fall the confluent waters of several rivers having their sources in the highlands about Antananarivo, the Hova capital. Tho spot selected is far from Nossi Be, the island off thcSakalava coast, held by tho French, and has been seized with the express object of bringing direct pressure on the Hova Court: "for it is explained that tho invaders intend to collect, the customs dues, and thus exert an influenco on the native power which, it is hoped, will bring the Hovas to terms. Other places may be seized, for we arc told that the Admiral has been instructed ' to clear away the posts established,' as tho French allege, in ' utter contempt' of their rights ; and in addition to extort from Queen Ranavalo concessions equal to those conferred by treaty on England, Germany and the United States. Thus tho work of disturbance has begun in an island which of late years has made large strides in the path of civilisation. No one who is familiar with the tone andlanguageof recent French utterances can have the least doubt that the -Government will push forward the various enterprises on which they have entered with such zest since Tunis was obtained and the control of Egypt lost. Besides tho somewhat difficult problem of coercing the Hovas, our excited neighbors are plainly bent on securing a hold on the Congo country, and will not be deterred by the strong'probability of Chinese hostility from annexing Tonquin and protecting Annam. The dominant party is all in favor of adventures in remote lands—undertakings which they sincerely regard as needful to revive French prestige and enlarge the circle of French commerce. Their various experiments in Africa and Asia will bo watched with interest, not only by sympathising friends, but by these who doubt whether tho game is worth the candle."