Manawatu Herald. SATURDAY, DEC. 3, 1892. The Aldabra Group.

Manawatu Herald, 3 December 1892, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. SATURDAY, DEC. 3, 1892. The Aldabra Group.

The reason given for the French annexation of the A msterdam islands is that the British propose annexing the Aldabra group of island?. Lying to the east of Africa is tlie third largest island in the world, Madagascar, and around it at varying distances arc groups of small islands, which are generally considered belonging to Great Britain. France's interest is very much mixed in connection with Madagascar, as though it is locally governed, having a queen, Ranavalona 111 at the head, yet in all foreign matters she is represented by France. From the commencement of the century the possession of this island has been desired by France, and attempts at couquest made, but always unsuccessfully. The islets of St Marie Nosibe lying close to the east coast of Madagascar have been in the possession of France since 1 821 and 1840 respectively, and by treaty in 1885 she obtained the port of Di -go Suarex as a naval station. The British hold undisputed possession of the Seychelles island, 940 miles north of Mauritius, which is an island lying 500 mile 3 east of Madagascar, and British property, and also the Rodrigues 850 miles east of Mauritius, and the main land on thy east coast of Africa is nlso British oroperty now, so that it will be seen French interests are confined to those we have mentioned, and these, with the island of Madagascar arp fairly surrounded on the west, north md east by England. The Idahrn appear to be two small islands 'ying between the north of Madagascar and south of the Seychelles ■slands. These would appear to bp )f more consequence to British ■.if^vpef-.q than the Amsterdam islands or St. Paul.