tain on which the capital Antananarivo | denies this. The main objection of the (city of a thousand villages) is built.

Malagasy government to the previous Only a few months ago French politi- treaty of 1863 was the stipulation respectcians and journalists called the Hovas ing the purchase of land by Frenchmen. barbarians; but when a native race, within In framing a new treaty in 1868, would a period of less than half a century, they, the Malagasy government, be likely emerges from the darkness of obscurity to allow the obnoxious clauses to be reinand idolatry, adopts Chrstianity, and serted? The Malagasy negotiators clearly comes within the pale of modern civiliza- defined their meaning to be, that it did tion, it cannot be justly called barbarous. not authorize the sale of land. Perhaps Let us say a few words about the Fran- it is not remarkable that French governco-Malagasy war itself and the principalments should place wilful misinterpretacauses of quarrel that led to it.

matters affecting the policy of the Hova | military affairs in Madagascar. On the government. The answer to the ultima- 18th May I left the capital with reinforcetum from the acting minister for foreign ments to take the command of the lines at affairs arrived on the 5th, stating that the Manjakandrianombana. government of the queen of Madagascar declined further negotiations so long as the French refused to recognize the queen as sovereign of Madagascar.

The French now made daily reconnaissances with the object of finding a feasible weak point. These endeavors culminated in the battle of Isàmahàfy. The Hova On Sunday morning, June 10th, 1883, at forces defending the lines numbered four sunrise, fire was opened on the fort and thousand; in the rear of the lines was a defences of Tamatave by the six vessels further large body of troops with artillery. under the command of Admiral Pierre. The French column that marched out of The Hova garrison of five hundred men Tamatave was three thousand strong, but retired as soon as the bombardment the troops actually engaged at Isamahafy, commenced to their entrenched camp at one of the outposts, numbered fifteen Manjakandrianombana, within sight of hundred, consisting of cavalry (mounted where the French vessels were anchored. gendarmerie), infantry, and a battery of The Hovas set fire to the four quarters of field-pieces with mitrailleuses. The colthe town of Tamatave before leaving it, umn was under the effective fire of eleven but a heavy rain was falling at the time, or twelve men-of-war, which, during the so much damage was not done. The engagement, poured on to my lines, it is French disembarked their troops, took calculated, between seven and eight hunpossession of the fort and town of Tama- dred shells. In addition, three hundred tave, and the vessels cannonaded the Hova | shells from the field-pieces did effective camp. The Malagasy troops, being un- work. The engagement lasted from dayacquainted with the effects of heavy firing, were under the ridiculous impression that it was possible for a shell to travel sixty or seventy miles, and, upon bursting, that it could destroy whole villages. The position at Tamatave remained unchanged, with the exception of an unimportant reconnaissance by the French, now and again relieved by an occasional cannonade from their men-of-war, until the final attack upon the Hova lines at Manjakandrianombana, on September 10, 1885, a period extending over nearly two years. Admiral Pierre, who had been invalided home, died, and was succeeded in command by Admiral Galiber. As an earnest of French intentions Vohimàro was bombarded on the 31st October, and all the houses were burnt down both native and British, excepting the French establishment of MM. Roux, Fraissinet, & Co.

break till 3 P. M. The French were repulsed with a loss of sixty killed and wounded. Notwithstanding the heavy cannonade, but few Hovas were killed; they never flinched for a moment under heavy fire. Admiral Miot led the French column in person, and behaved with conspicuous coolness and gallantry. I was prevented from turning the repulse into a rout by want of ammunition. My troops, when the battle ended, had hardly one hundred rounds per man.

A few days previously in another part of the island, the French with two hundred and fifty regulars and three machine-guns and a host of Sakalavas were attacked and defeated by some four hundred Hovas, whom they had gone to punish for sacking and burning the town of Jangoa. The object of the Hovas had been to punish the Sakalavas for allying themselves with the French. Thus, the battles of Andampy on August 26th, and Isàmahàfy on September 10th, 1885, having resulted in a serious reverse to the French arms, the war practically closed, and negotiations for peace were recommenced.

November 26, 1883. - The Malagasy government now proposed to negotiate and to make some concessions to the French ultimatum as to the renting of land and the payment of an indemnity of £40,000 for the French claims of twenty years. With regard to the "sovereignty The French government had been kept or protectorate claimed by France over in the dark in respect to the failure of certain territories," an emphatic answer past negotiations. Admiral Miot was cenwas returned that no protectorate was rec-sured, and M. Baudais, the French consul, ognized, and that Madagascar would never yield her independence. A verbal answer refusing to treat upon these terms was returned, and the situation remained unchanged. On the 9th January, 1884, I was entrusted with the whole direction of

was recalled and placed on half pay. M. de Freycinet, the French minister for foreign affairs, desiring to come to some arrangement with the Malagasy government, drew up a scheme on a somewhat liberal basis, and entrusted M. Patrimonio

66

with its mission. M. Patrimonio informed | the precise interpretation placed upon the his government that Admiral Miot was text of those articles by M. Patrimonio "firmly convinced that the Malagasy gov- and Admiral Miot clearly limits any adernment would never accept, of its free vantage gained by France, as well as the will, the protectorate of France, even lim- powers of the resident-general. The word ited to the exterior relations of Madagas- protectorate" is not to be found in the car." When the last series of proposi- treaty, with its appendix, from cover to tions for peace was drawn up, the ominous cover. The clause in Article I., comand hated expression "protectorate" was mencing "The government of the Repuberased. To the tact of M. Patrimonio, lic will represent Madagascar in all its and the straightforwardness of Admiral foreign relations," refers to the "foreign Miot, and the earnest desire of both, act- politics" of Madagascar. But Madagasing under the auspicious influence and car has no foreign policy. She has no wiser counsels of M. de Freycinet, may be possessions and no navy. Her policy is ascribed the happy conclusion of a treaty purely confined to the internal administraof peace alike honorable to the two na- tion of her sovereignty, which, by Article tions. But the terms of the treaty were II., is not to be interfered with. The not arranged without a severe diplomatic French press continually dwells upon the struggle between M. Patrimonio, Admiral payment by Madagascar of the war inMiot, and myself. After much persuasion demnity to France. Article XIII. states I convinced these two gentlemen that it that "in consideration of the engagement would be wise to substitute Article XV. entered into by her Majesty the queen, as it now stands, instead of the following the government of the republic foregoes draft article which had been put forward. and renounces any claim for a war indemLe Gouvernement de la République connity." The "engagement" here alluded servera son autorité sur les territoires où elle to refers to Article VIII., which states est établié en vertu des traités conclus par la that "The queen's government undertakes France en 1841 et 1842, et qui l'étendent de la to pay the sum of 10,000,000 francs, to be baie de Mourantipang à l'ouest jusqu'à et applied equally to the settlement of French compris Vohémar à l'est. Il determinera le claims liquidated previous to the conflict régime sous lequel auront lieu les rapports between the two parties, and to the repaentre le Gouvernement Hova et la population ration of any damage caused to foreigners de ces territoires. by the said conflict. The examination and settlement of these indemnities will devolve upon the French government." Article IX. refers to the evacuation of Tamatave upon the payment of the 10,000,000 francs. In other words, her Majesty will hand to the French government 10,000,000 francs, to be applied to the liquidation of claims of all foreigners for damages caused by the war, and upon payment of this sum the French troops will evacuate Tamatave. This is in no

The article substituted was the following:

-

ARTICLE XV.

The Queen's Government undertakes expressly to treat with kindness the Sakalava and the Antakaratra, and to take into account the suggestions which it will receive in relation to this matter from the Government of the Republic. But the Government of the Republic reserves to itself the right of occupying the Bay of Diego Saurez, and of creating such establishments there as may suit its convenience.

By this I swept away for good the socalled "historic rights" of 1841 and 1842. Before proceeding to quote the two most important articles of the treaty of peace concluded between France and Madagascar, on the 17th December, 1885, I should briefly explain that the ratification of the treaty (by myself, as the Malagasy minister plenipotentiary) was made absolutely dependent upon the receipt beforehand of an explanatory letter (in the nature of a protocol) from the representatives for the French republic. Articles I. and II., as quoted below, at first sight appear to give to France a greater stake in Madagascar than she really has. But 2980

LIVING AGE.

VOL. LVIII,

sense a war indemnity. Probably £500,ooo would not indemnify France for the expenses of her operations against Madagascar.

Notwithstanding the statements of the French press, which are of course irresponsible, the word "protectorate," as applied to Madagascar, is a misnomer. Only a few days ago, the Malagasy embassy to Paris, on being received at the Elysée by the president of the French republic, delivered an address which admitted of no protectorate, and stated that French subjects in Madagascar would have the same protection as other foreigners. Throughout the whole address, the Malagasy government treats with the French government upon equal terms. If this position

had not been accepted, M. Grévy had the opportunity of then and there setting the matter right. But as he did not, it must be concluded that the French do not consider that they have a protectorate in the real sense of the word.

queen, that should the letter defining the terms of the treaty not be satisfactory, I was in no case to attach the signatures, but to break off negotiations. The treaty, therefore, must be read by the light of the appendix, without which it is null and void. M. Patrimonio and Admiral Miot were invited by the queen to visit her at

The second clause of the same article states that "Malagasy abroad will be placed under the protection of France." the capital. They reached the capital This is more advantageous to Madagascar than France; and refers to an understanding that any Malagasy who may be in Europe without means will have the right to apply to a French consul, who would be bound to send him back to Madagascar. I here append the text of Articles I. and II. just referred to:

ARTICLE I.

The Government of the Republic will represent Madagascar in all its foreign relations. Malagasy abroad will be placed under the protection of France.

ARTICLE II.

A resident representing the Government of the Republic will preside over the foreign relations of Madagascar, without interfering

in the internal administration of the States of her Majesty the Queen.

The following is an extract from an explanatory letter I was instructed to obtain from Admiral Miot in order to leave no doubt upon the interpretation of the treaty:

On board the Naiade,

Tamatave, Jan. 9, 1886. His Excellency the Prime Minister has ordered you to define the meaning of paragraph I of Article II. of the treaty, which says:"A Resident representing the Government of the Republic will preside over the foreign relations."

This means that the Resident will have the right to interfere in matters having the character of foreign politics; that he will have the right, for instance, to oppose any cession of territory to any foreign nation whatever; any military and naval establishments; or the allowing of any assistance in men or vessels, asked for by the Government of the Queen of Madagascar, being granted without the consent of the French Government.

No treaty, agreement, or convention can be made without the approval of the French Gov

ernment.

P.S. You have asked us whether the Queen's Government may, as heretofore, continue to negotiate commercial treaties with foreign powers.

Undoubtedly, as far as such commercial treaties are not contrary to the stipulations of the treaty of the 17th December, 1885.

with a strong escort on the 30th January, 1886. They were received in audience by the queen, and a grand banquet was given in their honor. Thus the unfortunate war between France and Madagas car came to a conclusion with the end of the year 1885.

What has Madagascar lost or gained by the late war? She has lost nothing that her independence. One of her ports is in she greatly values, and she has preserved the occupation of the French troops; but then those troops are virtually prisoners. Her position after the treaty of peace of 17th December, 1885, was concluded, is for effective purposes better than it was before; the nation has been consolidated; successful resistance to the aggression of a great European power has added to the moral courage of the Malagasy nation. The lesson has been learnt that the white man is not so very superior to the dark, especially when the latter is fairly equipped to meet his white adversary. They know that this is not to be done with bows and arrows, but with arms of precision. They have learnt the value of discipline. They have not been overmatched in diplomacy by the French. It is true the government has agreed to pay £400,000, but it is not as a war indemnity to France; it will be paid by the queen to indemnify the subjects of all the treaty powers who may have suffered losses during the war. Practically France undertakes to give Madagascar a clear receipt, and upon payment of these various indemnities guarantees to discharge all other claims, which in December, 1885, amounted to £800,000. A little over a month ago, the Comptoir d'Escompte lent the Malagasy government 15,000,000 francs, and the French troops have evacuated Tamatave. The policy of the French government in the matter of the loan is judicious, as it will guarantee future peace. I cannot prophecy what years may bring to pass, but I am well assured from my experience of the firmness of the Malagasy disposition, that France will never acquire a "protectorate" over Madagascar.

DIGBY WILLOUGHBY.

I had received the commands of the General Officer Commanding the Malagasy Forces.

and Ambassador of the Queen of Madagascar.

From Blackwood's Magazine.
REVELATIONS FROM PATMOS.

DURING a somewhat prolonged stay on the isle which is called Patmos, when my wife and I were the guests of the hospitable monks of the Monastery of St. John, I did not, as most who visit Patmos do, devote my attention solely to the reminiscences of the saint who has gained for the island its celebrity. The monastic life, the life of the people who live around the monastery, the island itself, with its legends and its hermitages, afforded us amusement, which we found it hard to exhaust; and the good monks were greatly puzzled at visitors who did not spend all their time plodding over the manuscripts in their celebrated library, or praying in the Cave of the Apocalypse, but who wandered from house to house, took photographs, and studied the customs of the natives.

Patmos is as barren and drear a spot as can well be imagined-mountainous, treeless, and productive of little else but aromatic herbs. Its coast-line is marvellously indented, and at the central harbor the island is divided into two almost equal parts, joined together by a narrow tongue of land. On this isthmus rises a hill, crowned by the ruins of an old GrecoRoman town, hidden by the grain which is grown thereon. This spot must of necessity be more genuinely associated with St. John than any other, seeing that it was the only town in the island at the time that he was brought here as a prisoner; but legendary history has preferred to ignore this fact, and the worship of St. John, as it exists now on Patmos, is purely legendary.

suffered so much from marauders, that, by special indulgence from the patriarch of Constantinople, they were allowed to build houses under the wing of the monastery. After the fall of Constantinople, a large number of refugees sought an asylum at Patmos; and again, after the capture of Crete by the Turks, large numbers of Cretans came here, so that Patmos, under the favoring wing of religion, was repeopled and grew prosperous. Furthermore, a religious atmosphere is always the most favorable for the conservation of ancient habits; consequently, in their isolation from the world, the Patmiotes live as their ancestors lived, in the possession of charming customs, which even this nineteenth century has not been wholly able to obliterate.

No steamer touches at Patmos, so he who makes a pilgrimage thither must do so in a sailing-boat. Ours was a capital Samiote caique, which landed us at a flourishing village which has grown up round the harbor in these days of greater security. We determined to set off at once on foot to the monastery, after intrusting our letters of introduction to a funny little deacon, who appropriated us on landing. We were rather ashamed, too, of our luggage, for in the Greek islands it is necessary to travel with food; consequently a frying pan full of fish, a raw leg of lamb, and a bottle of honey were treasures with which we dared not part, more especially as the Lenten fast was imminent. These articles were confided to the care of an agile boy, whilst a donkey carried our weightier goods; and thus we commenced to toil up the road which leads to the monastery.

The monastery itself is a vast mediæval Somewhat breathless with our climb, fortress, crowning a height on the southern and having been conducted through endportion of the island some thousand feet less passages and up innumerable steps, above the sea, around which the white we became aware that we had reached the houses of the inhabitants cluster like superior's door, and that our procession limpets on a rock. Patmos at various had arrived in the reverse order to what eras has been colonized by Greeks; but we had intended, for we found his worship when in the eleventh century a saintly in a towering rage with the agile boy for anchorite, Christodoulos by name, founded bringing into the monastery and depositthe monastery, the island had for centuries ing at his door such things as we had been uninhabited, and from this fact arose intrusted to his charge. Consequently his desire to secure it from the emperor as our reception was an exceedingly cold a fitting spot for the pursuit of an undis-one, and not until half an hour later, when turbed religious life. He brought with the deacon arrived with our letters of inhim fifty workmen and their families, and troduction, did the great man relax his by so doing formed the nucleus of a new colonization. The families were obliged to live on the northern portion of the island, and no women or children were allowed across the narrow tongue of land. However, in succeeding ages this village

severity. Then, indeed, he grew very benign; his servant was sent for coffee, jam, and rakki; the treasurer, the librarian, the ex-superior, and other leading monks were summoned to greet us; and their eyes wandered eagerly from us to