The French have gained what they think a further success
in Madagascar. Admiral Pierre, after bombarding Majunga, presented to the Queen, or to her Ministers—for it is said the Queen is dead—an ultimatum demanding the protectorate of the north-western coast, or Sakalava country, the grant to Frenchmen of a right to purchase land, and a payment of £60,000 as an indemnity. These terms being refused, the Admiral destroyed two small ports, Foulepointe and Tenerive, and then shelled Tamatave, the chief port of the island, until it submitted. He proposes to levy all import duties and stop all munitions of war until the Court of Antananarivo submits to his terms, but not to endeavour to force his way to the capital. He will not succeed. The bores are very resolute, they want nothing but powder and rifles, and they will obtain both from traders, who will swarm into the smaller harbours, both from Zanzibar and the South-African ports. Madagascar is too big to blockade, and the French Government will soon be compelled either to advance or to patch up an agreement.
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