Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-06-01

srANLEy's CONGO UTOPIA.
The Chief Agent Of the King Of the
BeIgfans Accused Of Misrcp-
RESERVATIONS.
Washington letter says; Dir. W. +.
TisdeI, late agent OF the United States to
the states Of the Congo Association, writes
from Buen0s Ayres 10 Secretary Bayard. IN
answer 20 the attacks upon HIM In letter
from Henry NJ. Stanley, published IN the
Herald Of january 25tb last, criticsing un-
fayorably tie official reports OF Mr. Iisdel:
THE late agent pitches in to Mr. Stanley ana
the Congo bubble aud fortifes his assertions
by references to many letters and pubiica-
lions Of persons whose veracity IL ac-
credited. Stanley's bitterness Is traced 10
the fact that he found II imprncticable to
use Mr.. Tlsdcl to puff his scheme. lie
says:
"ln my reports TO the Government |
have stated plain facts as they came under
my observation, and from reliable officials
OF the African international Association,
and you, Mr.. secretary, have seen TIE evil
dence Of my statements. thought TINS
my duty. wh,reis Mr.. Stanley aud certain
of his associates thought ! should serve
their schemes. might have been blessed
with the smiles and approval OF these gen.
tlenen had | but allowed Mr. Stanley "
relieve me from the trouble OF preparing
nv reports: indeed, fear neglected
fine opportunity, for when ! arrived IN
Brussels was invited TO Chateau Ginge-
lon, the residence OF ex-United-States-
Minister Henry :. Sanford, where was
unfolded before me the scheme OF the
Great Semi. Political Commercial Trading
Company OF the Congo capital to
be raised in England), with the intimation
that my fortune would be assured IL |
should make prudent and practicable re-
port in harmony with the proposed scheme.
when it was known tnat had neglected
so fine an opportunity, aud had made my
reports on the basis of unadOraed facts
and unyarnished truth. at OEce inherited
the hatred. malice, and yitupcration Of
Mr.. Sanford and Mr.. Stanley, and press,
cable, telegraph, and platform were used
against me. EX.Minister Sanford was so
good as 10 write me, at the same time.
letter Of regret. that had not allowed him
TO examine and revise INV rc1orts before
sending them to the Department. This
letter, with many others from Mr.. sanford,
are at your disposal.
INVESTIGATION INVITED.
"I.et me suggest. MIR. Secretary, that you
investigate the subject and ascertain just
why tie United States took such an impor.
fant part in the Berlin Conference and why
the Congress OF the United States became
sponsor for the so.called Como Free
states which, in fact, had no existence.
know that every gentleman within the eX-
ocutive and legislative departments OF the
Government who participated in the con-
sideyalion Of the Congo question acted with
the best intentions and from the purest mo-
tiyeS. The information upon which con-
grCssional action was based came from
one man, and that man was Henry
:. Sanford, exhibited States Minister
10 Belgium. While lie resided in
Washington, urging the passage OF
The bill which gave recognition 10 states
not in existence, his 'blue-ribb0n dinners
were the talk Of the town. do not mean
to insinuate that an American legislator
can he influenced by a dinner: far from il;
but l have heard the eX.Minister OF the
United States declare time and again that
he wrote thc clause about The Congo which
appeared IN President Arthur's message;
that he supplied all the information to the
Department OF state about the Congo; that
be passed the bill In Congress which gave
recognition to State having no existence;
and that he brought about the cal for the
Berlin Conference. The information which
you would obtain by such an Investigation
would at least make an interesting chapter
in tue history OF Congo leglslatiOn.V
STANLEY DRAWING THE Long BOW.
MIR. Tisdel discredIts Stanley's statements
OF the wealth Of the Congo region, aud cites
the fact that ii has long been accessible TO
European commerce. Ii 1t had presented
such prizes as Stanley claims, English,
Dutch. or Portuguese enterprise would
have secured them long ago. Stanley gives
as tue ocean frontage OF the Congo states
$50 miles. Tisdcl says il is only thirty
eight mites. lie says Stanley "has mapped
out country covering an area OF 100000
square miles without ever having lett the
river which flows through its centre.
MIR. Sianlcy's writings are romantic.
To say the least, and his Across
the Dark Continent and The Free states
OF the Congo, and How They were Found
ed can hardly be accepted rs proof posi-
tive that be is right and am wrong, since
his wofksarc openly denounced by African
explorers Of character as gross eXaggera'
lions, II is all very well for Mr..
Stanley to tell the readers Of the New York
Herald what he might write about. II he
were 10 write less fiction and more truth
should have some hope that the Congo
States might succeed under the wise
and judicious administration Of Sin
| Francis de Winton. l do not question The
wealth OF the Upper Congo country
| other travellers do, however. | simply
say that the country through which
travelled is worthless after passing Viyi
and that white men cannot live there. Wit
money il is possible TO build a railway
around the rapids or even across TO IAN
zibar. But | venture TO say that 10 take
! out one dollars worth Of produce by mean,
OF this road the cost will be 80"
| DE Brazza's appointment as Governor Of
| the Congo Free States by the King OF tn,
BelgisuS is cited by Mr. TiSdel as an indi
| cation that his Majesty has become fully
convinced of SANKEY'S true character, NJ
DE Brazza having been the theme OF the
great explorers especial vituperation.
/