Description

1897 (Apr 20) Stampless envelope to Rochfort endorsed Corps d’Occupation de Madagascar with countersignature of Commandant below overlaid by violet circular Service Administration des Colonies /Chef du Service /Diego Suarez (Magagascar) hand stamp & cancelled octagonal Corres D’Armees /Diego Suarez cds with below octagonal La Reunion A Marseille /L.U.N. No 3 (21 Apr) transit & on reverse another strike across flaps & partial Rochfort (14 May) arrival cds ……..The 2nd Madagascar Expedition commenced 1 Mar 1895. A French colony was declared 6 Aug 1896 & a Pacification period continued until 1902 wih scattered disturbances till 1905.