Twentieth Century Madagascan HistoryHistoire de Madagascar by E. RalaimihoatraReview by: Pierre VerinThe Journal of African History, Vol. 9, No. 2 (1968), pp. 336-337Published by: Cambridge University PressStable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/179573 .

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bution to knowledge; and it is interesting to see that Axelson, who is first and foremost a Portuguese scholar, emerges with distinctly less sympathy for the Portuguese than those writers who have worked from English sources, and whose attitudes have been determined mainly by the brigandly proceedings of Rhodes and his associates. R. O.

TWENTIETH CENTURY MADAGASCAN HISTORY

Histoire de Madagascar, vol. II, le XXe siecle. Par E. RALAIMIHOATRA. Tanana- rive: Societe Malgache d'Edition. 1966. Pp. io8, illustrated.

It is not easy to write the history of the colonial period in Madagascar. How- ever, E. Ralaimihoatra has given us a balanced, detached, and serious treatment of this subject. The documentation is of good quality, for the author sought it out in publications to which access is often difficult. Thus we are grateful to him for having made use of Notes, Reconnaissances et Explorations-a journal very difficult to find nowadays-to relate the events of the pacification at the end of the nineteenth century.

The importance which is generally given to in the Gallieni period is also reaffirmed in this book. On the other hand, the author has not underrated the roles of the General's successors, notably Augagneur, Garbit, and Cayla.

The documents are still lacking which would enable us to make a fully impartial appraisal of Augagneur's work. Nevertheless, one must acknowledge with

regard to this governor-general that, on the one hand, his ideas, and those of his general staff, were benevolent, although still too systematically anti-

religious. On the other hand, one must also admit the lesser known tasks of those men who had to administer the provinces at the same epoch.

Today contributions to Malagasy history are being made by a large number of scholars, and essential documents appeared while the author was editing his book. I think, in particular, of the letters of Hippolyte Laroche, published by R. Pascal in the Bulletin de Madagascar and the diplome d'etudes superieures on

Jean Ralaimongo written by J. P. Domenichini. These contributions modify or refine significantly the opinion which could have been held of these individuals, and future historical works will be obliged to take them into account.

The reader will also appreciate the very original views about the nationalist movement, V.V.S., of I9I6, and of the rebellion of I947. For the first time, we think that we understand that the ambiguity in the contradictory statements in the trials of the accused resulted precisely from the composite character of the

patriotic movements. Pacifist and idealistic elements co-existed with harder and more subterranean forces. In other words, we agree with the author that full

understanding of the V.V.S. has not yet been achieved (p. 56), and that the

greatest confusion continues to reign as to the interpretation of the events of the rebellion.

The peace which exists today in the island can only encourage us to collect the testimonies of those who, still alive, lived these events. If one could say about African oral tradition that the death of an old man learned in past events is com-

parable to the burning of a library, are we not currently letting irreplaceable

bution to knowledge; and it is interesting to see that Axelson, who is first and foremost a Portuguese scholar, emerges with distinctly less sympathy for the Portuguese than those writers who have worked from English sources, and whose attitudes have been determined mainly by the brigandly proceedings of Rhodes and his associates. R. O.

TWENTIETH CENTURY MADAGASCAN HISTORY

Histoire de Madagascar, vol. II, le XXe siecle. Par E. RALAIMIHOATRA. Tanana- rive: Societe Malgache d'Edition. 1966. Pp. io8, illustrated.

It is not easy to write the history of the colonial period in Madagascar. How- ever, E. Ralaimihoatra has given us a balanced, detached, and serious treatment of this subject. The documentation is of good quality, for the author sought it out in publications to which access is often difficult. Thus we are grateful to him for having made use of Notes, Reconnaissances et Explorations-a journal very difficult to find nowadays-to relate the events of the pacification at the end of the nineteenth century.

The importance which is generally given to in the Gallieni period is also reaffirmed in this book. On the other hand, the author has not underrated the roles of the General's successors, notably Augagneur, Garbit, and Cayla.

The documents are still lacking which would enable us to make a fully impartial appraisal of Augagneur's work. Nevertheless, one must acknowledge with

regard to this governor-general that, on the one hand, his ideas, and those of his general staff, were benevolent, although still too systematically anti-

religious. On the other hand, one must also admit the lesser known tasks of those men who had to administer the provinces at the same epoch.

Today contributions to Malagasy history are being made by a large number of scholars, and essential documents appeared while the author was editing his book. I think, in particular, of the letters of Hippolyte Laroche, published by R. Pascal in the Bulletin de Madagascar and the diplome d'etudes superieures on

Jean Ralaimongo written by J. P. Domenichini. These contributions modify or refine significantly the opinion which could have been held of these individuals, and future historical works will be obliged to take them into account.

The reader will also appreciate the very original views about the nationalist movement, V.V.S., of I9I6, and of the rebellion of I947. For the first time, we think that we understand that the ambiguity in the contradictory statements in the trials of the accused resulted precisely from the composite character of the

patriotic movements. Pacifist and idealistic elements co-existed with harder and more subterranean forces. In other words, we agree with the author that full

understanding of the V.V.S. has not yet been achieved (p. 56), and that the

greatest confusion continues to reign as to the interpretation of the events of the rebellion.

The peace which exists today in the island can only encourage us to collect the testimonies of those who, still alive, lived these events. If one could say about African oral tradition that the death of an old man learned in past events is com-

parable to the burning of a library, are we not currently letting irreplaceable

336 336 REVIEWS REVIEWS

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documents be wasted? This is a task which historians, Malagasy and foreign, cannot ignore, however delicate it may be to carry out.

The author's judgements, while measured, are nevertheless accompanied by strong opinions. Thus, the author states that in I896 the insurgents of Imerina 'received encouragement and supplies from Tananarive' (p. 7), a point which remains controversial.

On the subject of the state of sanitation in Madagascar at Gallieni's arrival, there is a lucid paragraph on the medical insufficiencies of the nineteenth century, and the measures designed to redress this situation are recalled (pp. 30-3I). This important aspect has often been forgotten in historical contribu- tions, in which a concern with demography is essential.

In spite of all this book's virtues, it lacks, in our opinion, a chapter on the transformation of Malagasy society in the twentieth century. This subject has already been the topic of interesting observations by Chapus and by Deschamps. But those coming from Malagasy, who have witnessed life from within during the past decades, will be indispensible sources for historians of the future who will want to make evaluations of this period.

Finally, let us add that an index and more detailed maps would have been welcomed.

In summary, despite small imperfections, we are sure that this history of Madagascar in the twentieth century will take an important place among scientific works about the Malagasy past.

University of Madagascar PIERRE VERIN

THE FIRST WORLD WAR IN AFRICAN HISTORY

Great Britain and Germany's Lost Colonies, 1914-1919. By WM. ROGER Louis. Oxford: Clarendon Press, I967. Pp. i68. 30s.

I

In the conventional western historiography of the colonial period in Africa, the First World War tends to be treated as a turning-point, and as a turning- point towards better things. Before I9I4 African colonies were in an experi- mental stage, uncontrolled by any overall metropolitan policy save the un- realized doctrine of financial self-support. It was during this period that most of the great mistakes were made-the delegation of governmental powers to chartered and concessionaire companies; the encouragement of planter-settlers, whose interests were bound to conflict with those of the indigenous peoples; the confiscation of African land; atrocities and military excesses committed in the course of occupation or in the repression of revolt. After 1919 colonialism has so far seemed in comparison distinctly gentler and more law-abiding-its moral outlook conditioned by the mandates system, its new concern for the welfare of its African subjects expressed in a score of major reports and policy state- ments. The colonialism of the I920S and I930S has been seen as smug and paternalistic, and certainly as very unrealistic about the time at its disposal; but

documents be wasted? This is a task which historians, Malagasy and foreign, cannot ignore, however delicate it may be to carry out.

The author's judgements, while measured, are nevertheless accompanied by strong opinions. Thus, the author states that in I896 the insurgents of Imerina 'received encouragement and supplies from Tananarive' (p. 7), a point which remains controversial.

On the subject of the state of sanitation in Madagascar at Gallieni's arrival, there is a lucid paragraph on the medical insufficiencies of the nineteenth century, and the measures designed to redress this situation are recalled (pp. 30-3I). This important aspect has often been forgotten in historical contribu- tions, in which a concern with demography is essential.

In spite of all this book's virtues, it lacks, in our opinion, a chapter on the transformation of Malagasy society in the twentieth century. This subject has already been the topic of interesting observations by Chapus and by Deschamps. But those coming from Malagasy, who have witnessed life from within during the past decades, will be indispensible sources for historians of the future who will want to make evaluations of this period.

Finally, let us add that an index and more detailed maps would have been welcomed.

In summary, despite small imperfections, we are sure that this history of Madagascar in the twentieth century will take an important place among scientific works about the Malagasy past.

University of Madagascar PIERRE VERIN

THE FIRST WORLD WAR IN AFRICAN HISTORY

Great Britain and Germany's Lost Colonies, 1914-1919. By WM. ROGER Louis. Oxford: Clarendon Press, I967. Pp. i68. 30s.

I

In the conventional western historiography of the colonial period in Africa, the First World War tends to be treated as a turning-point, and as a turning- point towards better things. Before I9I4 African colonies were in an experi- mental stage, uncontrolled by any overall metropolitan policy save the un- realized doctrine of financial self-support. It was during this period that most of the great mistakes were made-the delegation of governmental powers to chartered and concessionaire companies; the encouragement of planter-settlers, whose interests were bound to conflict with those of the indigenous peoples; the confiscation of African land; atrocities and military excesses committed in the course of occupation or in the repression of revolt. After 1919 colonialism has so far seemed in comparison distinctly gentler and more law-abiding-its moral outlook conditioned by the mandates system, its new concern for the welfare of its African subjects expressed in a score of major reports and policy state- ments. The colonialism of the I920S and I930S has been seen as smug and paternalistic, and certainly as very unrealistic about the time at its disposal; but

REVIEWS REVIEWS 337 337

This content downloaded from 169.229.32.137 on Thu, 8 May 2014 13:34:31 PMAll use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions