§ MR. W. H. SMITHasked the First Lord of the Treasury, If Her Majesty's 1721 Government see their way to proffer their good offices to the Governments of France and Madagascar in order to a settlement of the differences which unfortunately exist between the Republic of France and the Queen of the Hovas, with the view of securing the independence and inviolability of Madagascar?
MR. GLADSTONESir, in reply to the right hon. Gentleman, I have to state that the Government have considered it their business to watch carefully the relations between France and Madagascar, and that they will continue to do so. I cannot, at present, make any more definite statement than that.