MADAGASCAR AND TONQUIN.

Kumara Times, Issue 2114, 8 June 1883, Page 2

MADAGASCAR AND TONQUIN.

This craze for colonial extension byforce of arms, says the Home News, and not by natural growth—the only certain and permanent method of forming a colonial empire—may yet land France in serious difficulties. But for the moment she has lost all reason. Although no fresh news comes to hand from Madagascar, there is every reason to fear that an endeavour will shortly be made to enforce French pretensions to a peaceful protectorate, as it is disingenuously styled, by the strong hand. Yet France is plainly warned that she can only do this at the risk of losing the friendship of the other Powers. While England has at last despatchad a consul to Tananarivo, and another man-of-war to the coast, the United States has gone further, and has entered into a treaty with the Malagasy,

recognising the Queen of the Hovas' sovereignty over the whole island. It will be impossible for France to pursue a policy of aggression in Madagascar without coming into collision with British or American interests. France must expect, also, the armed enmity of the Chinese Government if she persists in proceeding to extremities at Tonquin. China claims the suzerainty over the Annam province, and will not surrender it without a struggle. The Celestial Empire is not to be trifled with in these days. Ifc has a large and well-organised army and plenty of money. Something more than the modest French expedition which is to move on the Songcoi, and which consists only of twelve hundred men and a few men-of-war, will be necessary to complete the conquest of Tonquin. The prosecution of even a small war against savage tribes at such a distance from home is always a costly and protracted affair, but iu this case France will have to cope with the resources of a nearly limitless empire, 'fighting, practically, on its own soil.