These
three hundred thousand inhabitants are literally dependent for their
daily food on the kindness of the elements in time of peace, and on the
naval supremacy of England in time of war. There is not enough grain
raised there to supply the colonists with food for twenty-four hours,
and there is rarely a supply in reserve to last them for two months.
Their rice is brought from India, their cattle from Madagascar. Let the
free intercourse with these countries be suspended, and a famine is
inevitable. The noble harbor of Port Louis, with its fortifications, its
dockyards, and coal sheds, is a source of strength to England only so
long as she can prevent her enemies from establishing themselves in
Madagascar.
France is striving to rival and surpass England. At Bourbon, already
strongly fortified, immense artificial docks are projected, perhaps
commenced. The colony has annually a deficit in its accounts to be made
good from the national treasury, but extension rather than retrenchment
is its policy. France has acquired the Mayotte or Comoro Islands, and
several ports on the north of Madagascar. She has also the sympathy of
all the creoles of Mauritius, in whose minds the English occupation of
fifty years has been unable to stifle the instinct of nationality.
Thus the two great Western powers stand, nominally allies at home,
jealous and active enemies abroad.
Circumstances have kept both powers from seizing the tempting prize
which has so long hung before them.
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