The Stay of the Russian Squadron in Madagascar in 1904-1905 (According to French Sources of Personal Origin)

Fitting into the framework of the study of the formation of ideas about Africa among the participants of the Second Pacific Squadron in 1904-1905, this article is dedicated to the study of the perception of the stay of Russian sailors in Madagascar by representatives of the local colonial society. Rare and little-studied sources are used: the memoirs of the merchant Paul Locamus, the unpublished memoirs of the merchant Alphonse Mortage and the letters of the Catholic missionary Clement Rambaud. The point of view of the French on the everyday work and leisure of the squadron members, their approaches to the revolution, war, religion, etc., as well as their relationship with the memoirists themselves is presented.