A statement was published in London on Wednesday which, if
true, would have been of serious importance. It was reported both in the Daily News and Telegraph that according to letters just received from Durban, a telegram• had arrived there announcing that General Willoughby, at the head of a strong force of Hovas, had encountered a French army of 3,000 men, had driven them in full rout back to Tamatave, and had then shelled the port. It was added that Colonel Sherrington, at the head of- another force, had defeated 4,000 Sakalavas, led by French officers. As the Treaty between France and Madagascar has been fully ratified by both Governments, this news would have meant an outbreak, which would have compelled France to conquer the island, probably, by employing 40,000 men, and might greatly have embittered the relations between France and England. No date, how- ever, was given for these engagements, and M. de Freycinet declares that he has not heard of them.
Previous page
