Morning journal and courier., 1885-01-30
THE CONFERENCE AT BERLIN.

Americas Interest I'm the Congo as
Shown by Secretary FreIfnghuysen.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 29.-Secretary Freling
huysen has submitted to the President a
long communication in response to the reso-
luton recently introduced in the House by
Representative Piedmont respecting the par
ticipation Of the United States in the Congo
basin conference; the motives which led this
government to participate; the manner in
which it was participated in and the views
which may have been sustained by its dele
gates at the conference. The Secretary re-
fers to the resolution adopted by the Senate
in April last advising the President to recog-
nlze the flag of the international association
IN the Congo and the appointment of com
mercial agent for the Congo basin as the first
step towards an international expression of
the views of this government with regard to
the Congo country. In carrying out these
measures the government recorded its
share in the general conviction that
the prospective rich trade of the
Congo valley should be opened to all
nations on equal terms, while avoiding any
prejudgment of conflicting territorial claims
in that region. Last October the German
minister at Washington, speaking for Ger
many and France, called upon the Secretary
and proposed to arrange in spirit of mutual
good understanding the conditions which
would tend to assume the development of
commerce with the Congo valley and the
United States was asked to take part
in the Berlin conference Subsequently Min
lister Kasson was instructed to report upon
the ACCESSIBILITY Of this government being
represented at the conference. Mr.. Kasson
reported in favor of representation and he
together with Henry S. Sanford were ap-
pointed delegates from the United States.
AS the conference is still in session final
view of results can be given. So far Mr..
Kasson and Mr.. Sanford have confined their
propositions to matters affecting commercial
intercourse with the whole Congo region, free
dom of navigation of the rivers and land
communication between the coasts and in
terror, without advancing any plan affecting
the political tenure Of the divers territories.
A proposition advanced by Mr.. Kasson, max
ing not only the Congo and tributaries but
the whole territory of the Congo neutral in
time of war. is still under discussion in the
conference, end, SO far as known, it has the
approval of all the powers represented there
except France end Portugal. Up to
this time the department has
seen to feel other
wise than satisfied with the discretion,
prudence and ability with which Mr.. Kasson
has carried out the instructions given him.
Besides limiting the position of the United
States TO one of commercial interest dissocia-
ted from questions of territorial contract he
has been attentive that no act on our part
shall deviate from consistent national policy.
He was careful that no expression should
be found on record in the arguments of the
conference which might imply that its re-
suits to be binding upon any powers
which may not formally accept them.
Other papers and correspondence bearing
upon the subject and reports of the pro-
ceedings of the conference will be transmit
ted to Congress as soon as received and trans
lated at the department.