sentences:  The French administration was determined to bring about a full Protectorate on the island, and thus evacuated its nonessential citizens from the region.Active hostilities commenced on December 12, 1894, when the French marines took possession of Tamatave.General Duchesne and his flying column landed in Mahajanga (Majunga) and marched to the capital, Antananarivo, hampered by the jungle, shallow river, disease, and lack of roads.