New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-11-17
THE OPENING OF AFRICA.
a TALK WITH KING LEOPOLD ABOUT THE
CONGO FREE STATE.
AMBITION OF CHRISTIAN MoNARcH-LIGHT
FOR THE DARK coNT1NENT-PLANs OF
THE ANTi-sLAvERy CONFERENCE.
Copyright; 1889: BY the Author.

THE ANT1-SLAVERY CONFERENCE.
Copyright; 1889: BY the Author.
Brussels. October "a.
A few days ago received a note from Monsieur
Le Comte Borchgrave d'Altena, Seoreteire du hoi'
summoning me TO call upon him at the Palace;
which did on the following morning az WOW
o'clock. had previously had the honor OF max,
ing the acquaintance Of the Count by personal
letter I had brought to him from the beisian
Minister 70 the United States, NJ. A. lie uha'' anu
WAS cordially received by the Royal secretary.
I was informed that His Majesty hao insH u0'ou
the Count 10 inform me that 1t wouIu give LIE.
49,. - .oosiva me az the Palace at
,si.s,, e. an. a,.orroon OF Saturday, the 9th.
His Majesty had said that although u was cusVoh-
~.,r,,...o a. sucb matters for the Minister TO
present an American, nevertheiess ho ue'"eu nie
- - ,bo representative of the American Gov
srnmen. nj Bruss rs that in this case 1t would not
ha necessary for bim 20 present. me- lew mo-
,ren,s before the appointed hour L was received
by the officers and servants of the Royal Household
and was escorted TO the reception room in the
east wing of the Palace, which afforded charm
inc view of tive spacious and beautiful grounds for
which this palace is justly famed. The few min
utes remained in the reception were pleas
sptly passed in an interesting conversation with
q Young officer OF the Kings Household; who, al
though not acquainted with the English language,
was familiar with the history and institutions Of
America.
Presently the doors leading to the Kings Office
were thrown open, and / was ushered into the
presence of His Majesty Leopold ii, King of the
Belgians and Sovereign Head of the Independent
State of Congo. he was sttred in the uniform of
a Acknowledgment of darll-bue cloth trimmed
with small red cord. He wore but one decora
ton, upon the left breast As he stepped forward
and cordially grasped my hand, with has more
than six feet towering above me, / realized that
was in the presence of a ruler who was every
inch a King For many years l had known how
richly he was endowed with mental and moral
attributes such rarely possessed by rulers
IN the Old World; and now | was impressed by
his magnificent presence. His urbamty and regal
bearing and the warmth Of his greeting put me
quite at my ease. While large man, Leopold IL
has all that distinguishes the student carrying no
superfluous flesh; and proved himself good
listener as well as a pleasant and entertaining
eonversationalst. His hair and full beard were
carefully trimmed and literally sprinBled with
gray His features were strong and elear-cut and
keen and his eyes, bright and quick, flashed with
intelligent interest from behind a pair of eye
glasses His head was broad and capacious; ears
set well back of a brain that lowered far above
them. His mouth showed both strength and gen
crosby, and his chin was indicative of decision
and courage His voice clear and soft with
minor tones that had held close fellowship with
sorrow.
During a long and most interesting interview
several questions were discussed; but those that
have the liberty of mentioning here pertained to
a subject in which he is deeply interested, and to
which he has devoted his splendid talents and vas;
wealth for some years, the Congo State. In reply
h.. frafa oil
in the Congo, he said:
After The New-YOrll Herald and The London
Telegraph had dispatched Henry NJ Stanley TO
Afrcr n search OF David Livingstone and he had
SUI e., T.. IL performed that MISSION and had
crossed the Dark Continent from the Indian Ocean
via the valley of the Congo 10 the Atlantic Ocean,
! invited him 10 come and me here in Brussels.
He recounted his thrilling adventures and expert
ences in Africa; spoke in glowing terms of the
richness of the soil and the resoureefuness of the
country. lie seemed TO be anxious to do some
thing for Africa, and l told him to 90 back to
the Congo and undertake work for the country
and the people, and that l would be his banker.
BE went and what he did is history
In reply 10 an inquiry as TO the objects His
Majesty had in view in so largely investing in an
enterprise which is regarded by the world at large
as largely precarous and visionary, he replied with
animation:
States are nothing than families: here
in Belgium have family Of about 100000
souls in America there is a family of more than
10000 600. believe these families have duty
10 discharge to the outside world as well as 70
themselves Small States have greater facility
for doing good TO the outside world than large
States The Belgian Nation is small one; no
one is afraid of it and it has neither offensive
ambition nor diplomatic complications with larger
States 1t is neutral You know the hi.tOry Of
Greece. Well, Greece a small nation and
while IL fought many great and brilliant battles
it's chief glory was in other directions 1t had
great orators, poets, historians, philosophers,
artists and clever citizens. Its commerce
whitened all seas and its influence upon the
civilization of the world has been benefcent
widespread and permanent Thus the Belgian
Nation seeks 10 achieve some thing for civiliza-
tion and to discharge a Christian duty toward
Africa. Ny people have but two motives in this
work: one is trade and commerce. which is self
ish and must be allowed and the other is to
bring the means and blessings of Christian civ
ihzhtiOn TO Africa, which is noble
When ! asked His Majesty what he expected
in return for the great outlay he had made in the
Congo, his eyes kndled with interest and, straight
ening himself up in his chair, he said
=" ] have spent much in the Congo. and YET !
am not tired spending. What do there is done
as Christian duty to the poor African; and /
do not wish to have one franc back of all the
money I have expended. God created Africa and
the Africans as we'll lie did other countries
and races OF people; and owe duty TO that
country and people that should be discharged
with cheerful willingness
But what signs are there, Your Majesty, to in
dcate that those people appreciate the blessing
Of the Independent State you have established"
! asked.
Many" he replied, &" but chiefly in the fact
that every month more and more of the natives
appear in our courts thus showing that they not
only acknowledge the lawful government of the