It is as we suspected. The French Government has formed
a definite plan of using the interval during which it is effaced in Europe, to pick up colonies abroad. M. Spuller, M. Gam- betta's devoted friend and agent, told his Parisian con- stituents on Tuesday that his chief was resolved, while avoid- ing "the slightest semblance of an aggressive policy, to turn our eyes to every part of the world open to French enterprise, and to protect French coloniee in every quarter." He meant by colonies, we believe, not only colonial po.sessions, but the groups of settlers in Egypt and elsewhere, which Frenchmen habitually call by that name. The Goverement is still punning this policy, and has, it is stated on authority, demanded from Queen Ranavalona's Ambassadors the cession of a large section of northern Madagascar. The unhappy Envoys are utterly perplexed. If they cede anything, they will on their return inevitably be executed ; while if they go away having accomplished nothing, they will be held to have failed. Their best Course would be to assume a coldly defiant attitude, and convince the few statesmen in France who study facts that Madagascar cannot be occupied without a war, which would make a serious drain upon the French Treasury and Army.
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