Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1889-08-16
TO OPEN UPTHE CONGO.
c. p. Huntington VIII Invest $780,
900 In Railroad IN That SEQ
tion OF Africa.

ton or Africa.
About ESQ 900 has been subscribed
TO build railroad between the lower
falls of the Congo river and Stanley
pool, says the New York Herald.
How much more money will be need
ed for the purpose is not known on
this side of the Atlantic, but this and
other information relating to plans
for opening the Congo country in a
practical way will soon be in posses
sion of Mr.. Coils z. Huntington,
president OF the Southern Pacific.
Though Mr. Huntington has not re-
ceived as reported cablegram relat-
ing TO African railway matters from
the king of the Belgians he has been
recently the recipient of n message
from across the water from kindred
source. Mr.. McKinnon, the great
Scotch ship-owncr-sa said TO be the
largest individual ship-owner in the
world and an immensely wealthy man
is mutual friend of the king of the
Belgians and Mr. Huntington. Both
gentlemen have spent some days on
Mr.. McKinnon's beautiful estate on
the west coast OF Scotland.
The interest taken by the king OF
the Belgians in African exploration
and in the abolition of the African
slave trade is known throughout the
world. lie found an alley in Mr.. Nc
Kinnon and another in Mr.. Hunting
ton, and the latter has had consider
able correspondence with the private
secretary OF Belgium's king about the
feasibility Of building railroad be-
tween the falls and Stanley pool. and
touching methods for killing the slave
trade.
The cablegram purporting 10 have
been sent to Mr.. Huntington by the
king of the Belgians was from Mr..
McDinnon. In it he informed the
American railroad magnate that the
Belgian government had agreed TO put
9400, 600 into the scheme. that syn
dictate OF Belgians had subscribed
600, 900 more, and that he (McKin-
non) had put his name down for goo
600, and that other amounts had been
subscribed Mr.. Mckinnon wound up
his cablegram by inquiring how much
money Mr.. Huntington stood ready TO
furnish, and by asking if he could not
induce other Americans 10 take stock
in the scheme.
Mr. Huntington said last evening
that he was not in position TO give
definite Information about the case.
Surveys of the route had been made,
and it seemed to be settled that there
were about 5000 miles of fairly navi-
gable water above Stanley pool. The
length of the railroad between the pool
and the falls was TO be 262 miles.
Maps OF the country and prohles of the
contemplated work were probably on
their way from Europe. Until he saw
these and obtained a fair idea Of the
quantity and classification of the ma.
terial to be removed he could tell
nothing about the probable cost of the
road.
The king OF the Begians was doing
a great deal of good in Africa, and
would do more. He was probably ac-
tuated more by sentiment than mo-
tives of gain. His object was TO see
the Congo country made open 10 trrvel
for only by such means could the slave
trade be obliteratcd
Did Mr.. Huntington think there
was money in the scheme? 1t was
hard TO say. His knowledge OF the
country and its products was CLEANED
from books. He understood there was
not many portages between the head
waters of the Congo and Victoria Ny
ANA There was talk of an English
syndicate building Il road from the
Zanzibar coast TO Victoria Nyan2a, a
distance OF something under 400 miles.
II both schemes were successful an
immense impetus would, of course. be
given to commerce in region that
was now practically given up to the
Arab trader. The latter, when he
collected all the ivory he was able to
buy, secured negroes TO carry it, and
upon arriving at the east coast
sold loads and carries. lie had known
Providence and Salem ship-owners
who grew very rich out Of trade with
the east coast OF Africa. Mr.. McKin-
non believed there was money in the
scheme.
Mr. Huntington will continue TO
contribute something to kill the slave
trade. He had fought slavery from
boyhood. He was interested in the
scheme from sentimental motives
rather than financial reasons, and
would only subscribe nm amount that
he could afford to lose. He did not
know how other Americans would
look at the scheme.
Mr.. Huntington will subscribe CO.
600.