Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Annual Message of the President Transmitted to Congress December 7, 1896, and the Annual Report of the Secretary of State

Mr. Olney to Mr. Eustis.

Department of State,
Washington, April 27, 1896.

No. 659.]

Sir: In connection with my instruction No. 635, of the 30th ultimo, I have now to inclose a copy of a note from the French ambassador of the 18th instant, wherein, among other statements, the opinion of the French Government is maintained that our treaty of May 13, 1881, with Madagascar is not compatible with the new order of things growing out of the fact that France has taken possession of that island. The French Government is quite willing, however, to extend to Madagascar all the conventions in force between the United States and France.

It is desirable that the statement be so confirmed by the French Government as to leave no question touching the extinction of our Madagascar treaty and its replacement by those we have with France, in virtue of complete absorption of Madagascar and the substitution of a wholly French government for that of the Hovas, with which this Government has heretofore maintained relations.

I am, etc.,

Richard Olney.