New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-02-29
4 STR1NGE MISSIONARY UORK.

One Of the saddest chapters in human history
is repeating itself on the coast OF Africa. The
same degradation Of savage tribes that fol-
lowed the contact Of the aborigincs of America
with the Christian peoples of Europe Is now
being seen in Africa as the result of The IN
cmsion of the Christian peoples of Europe and
America The free introduction Of mtoXl-
eating louors. which has followed the failure
of the fourteen pOYers taking part in the Ber-
lin Congress of 1Ss4-S5 to agree npon an ot
solute prohibition Of importation into the Free
State Of Congo, is working great havoc among
the natives Strong drink pours into Afrlca
from all parts Of the globe. The United states,
unhappily. stands third in the list Of importing
countries. In lsSl-'5 we sent to Africa an ag-
gregatc Of .4l2 gallons of spirits. In 1886
Boston sent $4,000 gallons in one cargo. Ger
many and Holland, the two Powers whose I'M
willingness to join in prohibition Of all such
traffic with native tribes defeated the efforts OF
the United States. England, italy and Belgium
i'm that direction at the Berlin Congress, Jake the
lead in this profitable trade. The latest sta
tStcs, which are two years old, put down
7 900 600 of the 100000 gallons imported
into Africa in 1856 to the share Of Germany
or nearly thrce-fom tbs Holland sent about
100000 gallons.
SpirituOus liquors seem to be quite as new
thing to the African blacks as iire-water'
was to the American red men. 1t is the uni
vcrsal testimony Of men engaged in business
as well as missionaries that general demorall-
yation has followed their introduction. The
first demand Of the natives when vessels arrive
is for strong drink The chiefs are becoming
drunkards, and degradation is rapidly increas-
ing among the people. II is said that the de-
gree Of decentralization is even greater than 1t
was among our own abOrigincs. There is
much agitation both in England and America
to have steps taken to prevent expectation.
A deputation including several clergymen and
representing the National Temperance Society
recently appeared before the Foreign Relations
Committee of the Senate. and urged the pas
sage Of law prohibiting expectation of in
toxcating liquors from American ports to
Congo and the Western Pacific islands. They
claimed that Congress could do this under the
clause of the Constitution granting the power
"to regulate commerce"
The evil effects of the drink Traffic are seen
not only in the moral havoc it makes. but in
the destruction of legitimate trade. Vessels
20 10 Africa laden with American or English
fabrics to exchange for palm oil. ivory and
other products. The natives refuse the fabrics,
if they can get liquor and eases are cited where
vessels have brought back portions Of their
cargoes Of cotton goods and the like. because
they could not dispose OF them. 1t is thus
! evident that n continuance Of the unrestricted
traffic in liquor will not only SOW the seeds Of
death and disease among these ignorant tribes.
Int dcDriye civilized nations of nroftablc
and legitimate commerce which could have no
consequences injurious to the blacks.
The true remedy for this state of things
would seem to be through international action.
So long as this brutaizing traffic is carried on
by a number Of countries, it will avail but
little TO have nations which are responsible for
only a small portion of it attempt to prohibit
any participation in it by their own citizens
The great sources of supply would still be
open. and would probably keep pace with the
demand. A circular recently issued by tho
United English Committee for the Prevention
OF the Decentralization OF Native Races by
Liquor Traffic. Of which the Bishop Of London
is chairman, charges the responsibility for the
failure to reach an agreement upon the United
States Secretary Bayard who. while strongly
approving its purpose. declined to enter into it,
apparently out Of Difference TO the Monroe
doctrine IL is true, nevertheless, that the
United States has made Just such treaties. a
case in point is the treaty Of 1875 with Russia
by which The Two countries bound themselves
moi 10 allow their subjects or persons under
their control 10 sell 10 the natives in North
western America spirituous liquors, firearms,