LATER NEWS FROM MADAGASCAR

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3833, 29 October 1883, Page 4

LATER NEWS FROM MADAGASCAR

Tho M.M.S. Salazie, at Adelaide, has brought tho following later news from Madagascar:— . Tho Hova ambassadors arrived from London at tho commencement of the month, and landed the secretary on the south-oast coast of Madagascar. They came direct from Natal on board tho Clan Cameron, and did not touch at Mauritius. They report having been well received in Europe, but say that their interview with M. Ferry, the French Premier, who received them courteously, was very unsatisfactory. The French Minister declined to discuss anything with them in France, stating that all authority had been handed ovor to the French Admiral. Tho French claim to have a treaty with the Sakalavas, which they assert was made in 1811, and iigain in 1305. The ambassador asserts that M. Ferry would not produce the treaty for their inspection. By it France claims to have a protectorate over tho north-west coast of Madagascar. On visiting England tho ambassadors saw Lord Granville several times. The British Government, they said, had always done its best for Madagascar, and tho people looked for the moral support of England. The population of Magunra was about 60,000, while the strength of the Hova army was 30,000, tho men being armed with Remington and Snider rifles. The Hovas woidd never submit, the second ambassador saying resolutely that they did not want rifles or spears. They could fight with knives. Admiral Galiber, the successor of Admiral Pierre, arrived on the 20th instant at Reunion, by the Salazie, and proceeded as soon as possible, on board the Nicvrc, to tho scat of war. The French ironclad La Nalade, which is replacing the flagship, tho old frigate La Flore, has arrived at Tamatavo. Tho new transport Lescorfc has been ordered from L'Orient to Mada-

giisenr. News received by the Siilazio states that the French Government have deckled to push on the war vigorously, and will ask tho Chambers for the means of carrying it on effectually. The Planter's Gazette says :— " There are groat signs of dissatisfaction among the French officers quartered at Tamatave. A Reunion newspaper lias published from one of them some interesting notes respecting the position of affairs in Madagascar. The officer states that tho French soldiers are being decimated by fever. On the northwest coast out of 70 men 50 are sick. The crew of the man of war Vaudrovil were so exhausted that it was found necessary to Htmd them to Seychelles to recruit themselves. The French Government seems to have entered upon tho expedition without being fully aware of its difficulties. 'In the meantime, said tho French officer, it is we, the victors, who are besieged at Tanmtavc, and surrounded by an invisible circle from ■which wo dare not and cannot get out. We do not know what takes place in the interior of tho island, If we do not get reinforcements before the hot season there ■will be but one resource loft to us, to treat with oui' conquered foe and accept his terms. Wo have, however, news to hand that the French arc going to resume vigorous hostilities." H.M.S. Dryad and the gunboat Ranger (the latter just arrived from Mauritius) have left for the north and south ports, with the intention, it is said, of offering aid and protection to refugee British subjects. A letter elated Tamiitaro, September 0, published in a Port Louis paper, states that rumours are afloat at Taniatave that British subjects arc in a fix at the capital, as well us on tho coast, the new Queen having declared that, being quite young—almost a child—she could not discern tho difference between Frenchmen and Englishmen, and that every one wns to be treated as razaba, i.e., strangers, and be on the same footing. Commander Joliustonc had during his short stay at Mahanaro written a very ■severe letter to Governor Rainisoloh, forwarding him a copy of the English treaty, which was openly violated by the Governor refusing fresh provisions to the Dryad. Immediately after tho receipt of Commander Johnstone's letter, Rainisoloh came on board the Dry.id to pay a visit to tho commander, who refused to receive tho Hova Governor, or have any further dealings with him. The English vessel fsabelle, Captain Dv Moulin, from Mauritius, has been refused anchorage by the Hova authorities at Valomaiidry.