The New York herald., 1876-11-17
KING LEOPOLD AND AFRICA.

TRADE IN AFRICA SPIRITED SPEECH FROM
THE MoDxL MONARCH.
A. the drst meeting Of the Geographical Conference
at Brussels recently, the King opered the sstting With
the following address,
GHxTLExKx Permit me to thank you warmly for the
pleasing readiness with which you have responded
my invitation In addition TO the satisfaction shall
have listening to the discussion here problems.
pleasure al meeting those distinguished men whose
works and valuable efforts IN behalf Of civilization
have followed for years Tho subject now before
OF those which merit the nrst place the
Of cvery friend Of humanity. To open civilization
the only part Of our globe has not yet penetrated
pierce The darkness which enveops the tribes OF the
interior is venture TO assert crusade worthy OF
this century OF progress, and am happy be aole
aIrm that public sentiment 10 favorable It's accom-.
pills hmcnt-tnat the current Is with US.
Gentlemen, among those VINO have studied Africa
most good number have been brought TO think that
there would be a advantage IN favor OF the common
object To be attained II there should be meeting and
conference, on tho part OF all interested with
TO arranging the means, combining efforts,
amassing resources and avoiding duplicate journeys
II seemed to me that Belgium, central and neutral
State would be select place for such meeting, and
IL was tnis that cuboldencd me to call you all here to
home the little conference which have the
that IN convenng you al Brussels have not been
guided by egotis,ca ideas. No. gentlemen IL Belgium
rs small She is happy and satisfied with her lot, aud
! have no other ambition than to serve her well.
But shall not go lar 10 affirm that should be
insensbe 10 the honor which would result tor my
country from any important advance IN a question
which would render epoch famous being dated from
Brussels should be happy II Brussels became
some way the headquarters OF this civilizing move
menL
am therefore free to think that ii might enter into
your calculations TO discuss and dcterm ne in common,
WITH the authority belonging TO you the roads ol
low, the means to employ for dehn tely planting
the standard OF civilization upon the soil OF Central
Africa, TO agree upon what would be necessary TO in
tcrest the public your noble enterprise, and for
certain ng and reporting this interest For gentle
men. IN works OF This kind Is The concurrence OF
the greatest number which. makes success
that Is, the sympathy OF Tho masses which IT
,s Is necessary TO solicit and know now 10 obtain,
What resources could be placed disposal II all
those 10 whom franc is little or nothing should
sent TO invest IL in fund destined for The suppression OF
the slave trade IN the interior OF Africa What grand
progress has been already accomplished rhe IN
known has been attacked from severa. sidcs and II
those here present who have enriched science with
such important discoveries would take Us through tho
1 principal points, their exposa would bo powerful en-
| corragemont 10 ALL Among the questions which
would stili have to be examined the following are
cited
F,rst-The precise base OF operations to acquire,
among others, the coast OF Zanzibar aud near The
moeth OF the Congo either by conventions with the
chiefs or ny purchase, other locations be definitely
Secord-Dcsignxtono Of the routes over which to
open successively toward the interior, and
means Of aoolshins slavery establishing concord DO.
tween the chiefs and procuring tor themjus. and dsn
terested arbitration,
Thsrd-The creation Of an International and central
committee, The work being well defined and also
nonAl committees. each 80 attend TO whatever may
concern H. showing our object clearly 10 the public
every country and making appeal TO that charitable
sentiment 10 which no good cause was addressed
! In vain.
These are, gentlemen the various points which seem
TO merit your attention, in any event they Will
redeemed By your discussions, which will not fail
throw light upon thcm Ny idea is serve any
you may indicate, the grand for which you
already done SO much. With this Wow place mvselt
a. ysur disposition and tender 10 You most cordial
welcome.
OBJECTS or THE NETTING
The objects OF the Conference thus forth
To the object OF International Conference
At Brussels nansly:-ro scientifically explore the
| which Will admit civilization 10 the interior OF tho
African continent find means for suppressing tho traf
| nc Ia negroes n Africa, II Is necessary
Frsi-Io organize upon common international
plan the exploration OF the unknown parts OF Alrtca
limiting the region to be explored from 10 west
by the TWO the meridian by basin OF the
| Zambes, on the north by the frontiers Of tho new
Egyptian territory and the Independent Soudan. The
most appropriate means to this Will be the
employ mens Of a sudicenI number OF isolated travel
| lsrs, starting from various basss Of operations
second TO establish as bases OF these explorations
upon the coast OF Africa, AS well AZ in tho interior OF
the continent or these stations should be es-
tablished, TO limited extent upon the eastern and
western coasts al the points where European civlza
uon Is already represented A. Bagamoyo and Loanda,
for example The stations should bo oil the character of
supply depots, 10 furnish the travellers with Of
existence and exploration. They could be started
Of At these poins The other sls
tons should DO established upon points or the interior
the most approprate TO serve as al Immediate base
for the explorations The establishing Of these
named stations should be commenced points which
| now seem to recommend themselves the most
useful Tor the purpose They might seloct. for in
stance Ujiji Nyaugwc tho residence OF the King or
some other point situated In the domains OF Maata-
| Yanvo Tho explorers might indicate subsea uently
some other points where II would bc advisable 10 con-
| slruct other stations Of this kind.
Leaving the establishments OF safc communications
between the stations Tor the present. the Conference
especially expresses the idea that straight line
OF communication as possible be established from one
ocean to the other, following approximately the road
| taken by Commander Cameron. The Conference also
expresses the desire that this be followed py the es
tablishing OF routes running north aud south Tho
Conference appeals to the good win and opera
tion Of all travellers who will undertake scientihc ex-
porations Africa whether they travel under the au
spices OF she International Commission Instituted
| or NOT
THE RESOLUTIONS.
The following resolutions were passed unan
mously:-
| l. This win bs constituted an international CON-
mission for the exploration and civilization OF Central
Africa, wh natioua com mttess which will be rap
with the mission with the object Of ccntraliz
ing far possible the efforts ade by their
and facilitating by their assistance the execution Of
the desires OF The commission
| 2 The national committees may constitute them
selves according 70 the method which seems most
preferable.
8 The commission Will be composed Of the Prcs,.
dents Of the principal geographical societies repre-
sensd at the Brussels Conference or who should wish
10 adhere 10 IFS programme, aud ot two members
| chosen by each national committee.
l. The president shall have tho power admit into
| Conference.
s. The presidcn. shall have the power OF completing
national committees by adding thereto active and hon.
| orary mcmbcra
| The central commission, after having made its
regulations, vii! nominate an executive committee TO
superntcnd the enterprises and work tending 10
achieve the object the ASSOCIATION has view dsburso
and manage funds furnished by governments, national
commit tees and indiv dualA
T. The executive committee will be constituted sub
Jet TO the president and composed OF three or tour
members designated previously by the present Confer
cnce and subsequently by the International m ssion
8. The members OF the committees Will hold tnem-
selves ready TO meet tho cali Of the president.
a In nraQ ayneS aar rrufa hn hv
virtue OF his nomination shall become member OF the
ernationai commission OF the executive committee
He shall also namc treasurer.
HOW TAXPAYERS ARE FLEECED.