The opponents of colonial expansion will have a fine innings when Parliament reassembles this month. It is announced that in consequence of the enormous expense entailed by the restoration of order" in Mad:, the credits voted for that colony have been exceeded by no less than 19 million francs. This, added to the 9 million francs voted, makes a total of 28 millions spent on Madagascar during the present financial year. For 1898 the expenses are estimated at 18 millions. If this sum is required after the island has been pacified, as we are told it now is, what are wwe to think of the Minister who asked for only half the amount when the military expenditure was only beginning? It is clear that the Government a year ego did not dare to admit the real state of Madagascar finances and postponed the evil day, calcu-Jating that, in all probability, come other inet would have to face the music. It is quite a refreshing novelty to see a French administration staying long enough in office to get found out.
October.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.