The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1885-10-17
CONGO FREE STATE.

CONGO FREE STATE.
The Most Importsu Modern Geographic
n Revoiuticn-stsnIey's Important Dis
coverfes-
Many contradictory statements as to
the practical results of the work done
under the auspices of the International
Association for the Exploration and
Civilization Of Africa have of late APP
peared in public prints. both in this
country and in Europe. 1t would be
well to refer briefly to the origin of the
association before giving an account Of
the results of its labors, the most inn
portant of which is the foundation Of
the Free State Of the Congo. The last
twenty-five years have done more for
our knowledge of the geographical and
physical condition of Africa than many
thousands of years previously have been
able to furnish. Although it is the seat
of one of the most ancient civilizations
of the world-Egypt-yet this. i'm
mense continent of over eleven millions
of square miles. with a population
which is es timated at about two hun
bred million souls, has until within the
last quarter OF century remained an
almost sealed book. The splendid work
of nearly thirty years in central and
southeast Africa done by Livingston;
the solution Of the great problem of the
Nile sources cdput Nh guerrero a.
query which already with the Romans
was a synonym for the impossible; Cam
eron's march across the continent from
Zanzibar to Benguela; Serpa Pinto's
journey across in an opposite direction
from Benguela to Durham; the ex-
plorations Of scores of hardy pioneers.
too numerous to mention here, and
finally Stanley great exploit, his journey
from the Indian Ocean to the Tangap-
yika, his onward march to Nyangwe,
his discovery of the Congo-the most
important since the discovery of this
continent-had drawn the attention OF
the whole civilized world toward the
dark continent 1t was an enlightened
and generous prince King of
the Belgians-who took the first step
toward realizing material benefits from
the work of the travellers. Measures
should be taken to facilitate future ex-
plorations, to diminish the attendant
dangers, to utilize the commercial ad-
vantages which the rich virgin soil of
vast regions Of the continent offers to
the European and American trader and
| colonist These ideas led to the assembly
of the geographical conference which
met at Brusselsin 1876. At this meet.
ing the International Association was
organized for the systematic accom-
plishment of the tasks enumerated
above. We can briefly dispose of the
| labors of the association on the east
coast The first expedition was organ
lied in Belgium in tho latter part of
| 1877 for the purpose of establishing a
| line of stations from the eastern coast
! opposite Zanzibar to Lake Tanganyika,
distance of about five hundred miles.
This was successfully accomplished.
and permanent settlement on the
lake, called Karema, was founded. To
appreciate the advantage gained by this
pioneering work it may be mentioned
that the journey from the coast to the
lake, to accomplish which Captain Bur
ton took six months, and Cameron
after him eleven months. is now made
in perfect safety and comparative com
fort in one month and half.
While this work was going on or
the eastern coast, Stanley had accom-
! plished his wonderful feat of reaching
the mouth of the Congo. After this
all-important discovery of the great
artery of Central Area, another asso-
citation was founded in Brussels in 1878
the Congo committee (Comite a. Etstde
du Haul Congo. The object of this
association is, to express an undertake
ing of stupendous magnitude in very
few words, to establish an uninterrupted
line of stations from the mouth Of the
Congo, and along the banks of the
river by way of Karema on Lake Tan
ganyika, to Saadant on the Red Sea, OPP
posite Zanzibar The enterpr sc would
have seemed almost hopeless yet the
greater portion has already been ac-
complished. The work OF the two as
sociations, the international and the
Congo. is essentially the same. They
carry on their civilizing operations in
different parts of the continent. Their
design is not to engage in trade, their
object is purely scientific and philan-
tropic, so that every traveller, what.
ever may be his nationality; every mis-
sionary, whatever may be his faith;
every legitimate trader, whatever may
be his commerce, may claim assistance
at all stations. and be certain of meet
ing with hospitality" o.E
The task of experimenting the work
on the west coast, by far the most i'm
portant part, was intrusted to Mr.. Stan
ley, who, having scarcely recovered
from the effects of his terrible voyage
down the Congo, appeared again at the
mouth of the river in August. 1879, to
ascend it with the novel mission Of
sowing along its banks civilized settle
ments. to peacefully conquer and sub
due it, to remold it in harmony with
modern ideas into national states. with
in whose limits the European merchant
shall go hand-in hand with the dark
African trader, and justice and law and
order shall prevail, and murder and
lawlessness and the cruel barter OF
slaves shall forever cease" The re mlt
of this mission was the founding of the
Free State of the Congo and the acqui-
sition of territory amounting to 1865
600 square miles, inhabited by popu-
lation of 42.608, 600 souls--an area five
times as large as that of France or
Germany. The association is in pos.
session Of treaties made with $50 indie
pendent African Chiefs. whose rights
| will be conceded bv all to have been in