The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1885-02-04
CONGO CONFERENCE.
Communication to the President Respect
ing the Participation Of the
I ,,,aoco United States.
The Motives which Led tho Government
and the Manner In Which IL Has Par
ticipated In the Congo Basin
Jft Conference Mt Berlin. lfi
comluNIcArIoN 70 THE rREslpENr.

COMMUNICATION TO THE PRESIDENT.
| WASHINGTON, January 0,-Secretary
Frelinghuysen has submitted TO the Presi.
! dent a long communication in response 10
the resolution recently introduced uin
the House by Representative Perry Bel
mont, and adopted by that body, calling for
information respecting the participation of
the United States In the Congo Basin Con-
ference, the motives which led this Govern
ment to participate, the manner In which 1t
| participated and the views which may have
been sustained by Its delegates at the Con-
ference. The Secretary refers to the reso-
luton adopted by the Senate In April last.
advising the President TO recognize the flag
OF the International Association of the
Congo and the appointment of commercial
agent Tor the Congo Basin as the frat step
towards an International expression of the
views OF this Government with regard TO
the Congo country.
In carrying out these measures the Gov.
ernment recorded its share in the general
conviction that the prospective rich trade
OF the Congo valley should be omen TO all
nations on equal terms. while avoiding any
pre1udgment OF conflicting territorial claims
In that region. Last October the German
Minister at Washington, speaking of Ger
many and France, called upon the Secre-
tary ana proposed to arrange In a spirit of
mutual good understanding the condition
which would tend to assure the develop
ment OF commerce with the Congo valley
and the United States was asked TO take
part In the Berlin Conference.
Subsequently Minister Kasson was In.
structed to report the advlsablity of this
Government being represented at the Con-
ference. Mr. kasson reported in favor OF
representation, and he,f together with Mr..
Henry 5. Sanford, were appointed delegates
from the United States. AS the Conference
Is still In session no 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, freedom Of
navigation OF the rivers and land communi-
cations between the coasts and interior,
without advancing any plan affecting the
political tenure of the diverse territories.
A proposition advanced by Mr.. Kasson
making not only the Congo River and tribu.
taries, but the whole territory Of the Congo
Basin neutral In times Of war Is still under
consideration In the Conference, and so far as
known II has the approval Of all tile powers
represented there except France and
Portugal. ... XIII. -tht ,.- ...... b..
Up to this time the Department has seen
no reason to feel otherwise than satisfied
with the discretion, prudence and ability
with which Mr.. Kass0n has carried out the
instructions given him. Besides limiting
the position Of the United States to one Of
commercial interest, dssociated from ques-
tions OF territorial control, he has been at-
tentiye, that no one act on. our part shall
deyiate fronl.consistent National policy. He
has been careful that no one expression
should be found OF record in the agree
ments Of the Conference which might
imply that Its results are to be binding upon
any power which may not formally accept
them. Other papers and correspondence
bearing upon the subject and reports Of the
proceedings OF the Conference will be
transmitted to Congress as soon as received
and translated at the Department wa.s