The French Government on Tuesday practically declared war on Madagascar.
M. Hanotaux, Minister for Foreign Affairs, replying to a question pressed by M. Boissy d'Anglas, declared that the Hovas had persistently broken the Treaty of 1885. The Government had sent out a special mission, but could obtain no redress, and consequently felt it incumbent on them to protect the honour and interests of France by an expedition, intended to turn the great island into "a flourishing French colony." The right of France to act had been recognised both by Great Britain and Germany ; there was a condition of peace in Europe which allowed her to employ a portion of her forces beyond seas ; and it had been resolved to despatch a force of fifteen thousand men and establish a permanent garrison at Antananarivo. The difficulties had been exaggerated, and he need only ask for a credit of L2,400,000,—a sum which will create by its stinginess very sharp debating. General Duchesne is to com- mand the expedition, which will not, however, set out for four months, the interval being required for the expenditure of the money voted in the fullest preparations. It is proposed to invade from the western side, as a river will give the invading force some advantages in the way of ingress, but it is understood that the Malagasy will not fight until the high range, on which the capital is situated, has been reached. Up to that point they will trust to guerilla war and to the diffi- culties which will impede the French in the way of transport, fever, and fatigue. They believe that half the expedition will be dead before the slopes are reached, at which the serious fighting will begin.
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