On Saturday last the Foreign Office published a series of
papers which show that France has committed a serious breach of her undertakings in regard to Mada- gascar. The principal document is a despatch written by Lord Salisbury last July drawing the attention of the French Foreign Minister to the following facts. In 1890 the French Ambassador here stated in writing that "it is understood that the establishment of the protectorate will not affect any rights or immunities enjoyed by British subjects in the island." These rights were the most.favoured- nation treatment, and an agreement that the duty upon im- ports should never exceed an ad valorem duty of 10 per cent. In 1894 and 1895 the French went to war with Madagascar. We took up a friendly attitude, and did not issue a proclamation of neutrality, which would have embarrassed the French, because we were assured that our commercial rights under the protectorate would not be interfered with. For example, M. Berthelot, the Foreign Minister, publicly declared in the Chamber on November ‘27th, 1895, that the occupation of the island would raise no difficulties, as France would respect the engagements made with foreign Powers. Nevertheless, last June a decree was issued greatly in- creasing the ditties on British goods. Against this state of things Lord Salisbury ordered Sir Edward Monson to protest. Note. however, and this is the most sinister feature of the whole affair, that the French Government made no reply. They simply ignore their own bad faith and our courteous demand for an explanation.
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