LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
MADAGASCAR.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR:1
SIR,—The Government of this country refuse to recognise the Anglo-French Convention, whereby France and England exchanged Zanzibar and Madagascar. The refusal of the Malagasy to recognise the barter cannot be surprising when it is remembered that they were not consulted, and up to that time had been treated by England as an independent nation. There has been a serious misunderstanding of the position of Malagasy politics, and the most honourable course will be for France, England, and Germany to submit the matter to arbi-
tration. Indeed, this is the only honourable course. America refused to recognise French pretensions over this island, and so, apart from the righteous objections of Madagascar to being bartered, it is not right that England and Germany should encourage France in pretensions America will not admit. The administrative ability of the Government of this country is undeniable, and so far advanced is their civiliza- tion, that they appreciate the value of moral pressure. Moral pressure upon England is under contemplation, and it will take the political and civilised shape of annulling the Anglo- Malagasy Treaty, if England insists that France assumes the judiciary control and consular representation of British sub- jects in this island. The annulling of the treaty would deprive British subjects of all " rights and immunities "in this country, and leave France, should she ever establish the protectorate she claims, free to deal with British enterprise as she does in her Colonies. It would also permit the Govern- ment of Madagascar to raise the Customs dues on British goods. This course, I learn from high native sources, is the one they intend to immediately pursue, should England insist on France assuming the control and representation of British subjects in the island. Arbitration on the validity of French claims should be resorted to, especially as against an increase of Customs dues there could not be any appeal to France, as she does not make any claim to interfere with the levying of the revenues of the country.—I am, Sir, &c.,
Antananarivo, April 30th. A BRITISH RESIDENT. We have reason to know that this letter expresses with precision the policy of the Malagasy Government. We fear, however, it must act by itself, England being fettered by semi-formal agreements made by Lord Granville.—En. Spectator.]
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