The possibility of a French naval base on Madagascar according to the Dutch newspaper Schiedamsche Courant dated 16 August 1921

The correspondent of the newspaper The Times at Cape town, South Africa reported that the French cabinet considered the establishment of a naval base on the South East coast of Madagascar. The French sloop Bellatrix made a survey voyage along the coast between Manajary and Farafangana and it was expected that the base was located between these two points. The base was to be used by the fleet division which was again stationed in the Indian Ocean.