The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-02-05
THE CONGO BASIN.


Communication FrOE Secretary Freling-
huysen Explaining the Why's and the
Wherefores of American Representation
In the Congo Conference.-The Course al
Our Delegates.
iWAsHINGToN, D. c., January 30.
Secretary Frelinghuysen has sent to
the President a long communication in
response to the resolution recently in
troduced in the House by Representative
Perry Belmont and adopted by that body,
calling for information respecting the
participation of the United States in the
Congo Basin Conference; the motives
which led this Government to participate;
the manner in which it participated, and
the views which may have been sustained
by its delegates at the conference. The
Secretary refers to the resolution adopted
by the Senate in April last, advising the
President to recognize the flag of the In
terLational Association of the Congo, and
the appointment of a commercial agent
for the Congo Basin as the first steps to-
ward an international expression OF he
the Congo country. In carrying out
these measures the Government reco rded
its share in the general conviction that
the prospective rich trade of the Cong 0
Valley should be open to all nations on
equal terms, while avoiding an prejudg-
ment Of conflicting territorial claims in
that region.
Last October the German Minister al
Washington, speaking for Germany and
France, called upon the Secretary and
proposed to arrange, in q spirit OF mutual
good understanding, the conditions which
would tend to assure the development 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 upon the advisa bility
of this Government being repreSc nted AT
the conference. Mr.. KassOn reported in
favor of representation, and he, together
with Mr.. Henry 5. Sanford, were ap-
pointed delegates from the United States.
As the Conference is still in session no
final estimate of results can be given. SO
tar Mr.. KaSSon and Slr. Sanford have
confined their propositions to matters
affecting commercial intercourse with
the whole Congo region, freedom OF
navigation of the rivers, and land COM
munications between the coasts and the
interior, without advancing any plan al
fectiIg the political tenure of the divers
territories.
proposition advanced by Mr.. Kasson
making not only the Congo River and
tributaries, but the whole territory OF
the Congo Basin neutral in time of war, is
still under consideration in the conference,
and SO far as known it has the approval
of all the Powers represented there, eX-
cept France and Portugal.
Up to this time the department has
seen no reason to feel otherwise than
satisfied with the discretion, prudence
and ability with which Mr.. Kasson has
carried out the instructions given TO him.
Beside limiting the position of the United
States TO one of commercial interest, dis
sociated from questions OF territorial
control, he has been attentive that no act
on our part shall deviate from consistent
National policy. He has been careful
that no expression should be found on
record in the agreement of the Confer
ence, 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 proceed
ings of the Conference, will be trans
mitied to Congress as soon IS received
and translated at the department.