New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-04-18

on the resolution was made, one OF uhese dihenu-
ments-all of which were in the nature OF hill
clustering and tme-consuming tricks-wouid De
offered A flood of light is thus thrown upon
the real inwardness of the fierce Democratic
opposition to the canal investigation
CAV TIE CONGO TREATIKS BE SAVED'
If it be the fact, as Mr.. Stanley and King
Leopold declare, that civilizations march into
Africa will be stayed for the present ana crueiS
embarrassed hereafter should the United Sta'es
adhere to their refusal to ratify the BrusseiS
Congo Treaty and if their refusal was DUE a'
Senators generally explain, not to the substance
or purpose of the treaty. but to its effect IN COM
hitting this country to an approval OF the par
titioninp of Africa it does seem as If some way
ought to be found of saving the treaty and, at
the same time. of meeting the objection urged
n is eminently a sound objection. We might
be perfectly willing to acknowledge as de lure
Governments organizations whose objects ana
methods were entirely repugnant to our views
We should desire neither to sanction such UoV-
ernments, nor to place ourselves where IN the
future we should be estoppcd from saying whaO
we liked about them. African conquest Is a
tale of manifold crime, and while we cannot
engage in the business of knight-errantry-
least. not until the final Indian has gone to his
fathers and the Southern negro actually holds
what he won-we can at least MAINTAIN 1fee
hand and keep away from compromising agree
ments.
This, however, is purely matter OF poncy'
The question of chief moment is whether there
exists for us duty in the present peculiar situa-
ton. The partitoning of Africa however ac-
complshed, is a fact. The Governments set up
there by European States, in whatever disregard
OF right, are actually there and are administer
ing. The gigantic iniquity they all valanty
oppose Against the slave trade and the liquor
traffic their protesting voice is unanimous Inc
thing that is necessary, above all others, Tor a
successful crusade against these evils is unity OF
action-a plan of campaign well understood by
all the Christian nations and executed by every
colonial establishment in Africa and by every
court throughout ChriStendom This the Brus-
sells Treaty undertakes to provide, ana as all
persons admit with excellent results. If, them
it be asked why the United States need to bother
with the matter why they should be asked 10
take part in philanthropy where there is already
a surplus of resources, where they have no COM
merce and no National interest, the answer Is
that they have already bothered with IT, ana
are so placed by their relations with the congo
Free State that they cannot in justice to any
one to Europe to the Free State, to the African
natives or to themselves, remain stationary
They must 60 back or go on.
The Congo Free State possesses territory
most magnificent, and already it IS DONG
noble work of regeneration. But in 1t ana
through it and all around it the Arabs are pun
derine. devastating and slave-catching In the
wais that must soon be precipltated between
the agents of civilization and these Arabs the
Congo Free State will furnish the principal
battle-erounds and its Government will be the
chief actor. 1t requires, first, that arrangement
with all Christian Powers which assures the CO.
operation of courts, navies and consular olIlcers'
an arrangement that concerns chiefly those Eu-
ropean countries which have African possessions
but all the rest and the United States remotely
This is supplied by the Brussels Treaty. 1t re-
mires, in the second place. money and no other
source of steady and sufficient revenue is avail
able except import duties. But 1T Is bound by
treaty to us and to the rest OF the world not to
exact such duties, and, in connection with the
save-trade treaty, another, OF commerce ana
amity. was negotiated and submitted enabhng
il to levy import taxes. These two conventions
are now pending in the Senate, the former re-
iected. but still alive on motion to recon-
slider. the latter without action OF any KIND
Owing TO complications in Europe the treaties
did not reach our Government until January
and were sent to the Senate only sixty days
before its necessary adjournment. The state OF
the public business afforded no opportunity Tor
their fair consideration, and their purpose ana
effect have not yet been duly appreciated by
the mblic. IT, however, the situation with re-
gard to them remains precisely as 1t now IS
until the Senate meets next December, they Will
inevitably be lost, for by their terms they must
be ratified by July 2, 1891.
Ii seems to us that something ought to be
done to hold them alive until fair chance has
been had for their better consideration. 1t
seems, too that this is possible, and that those
clauses in the Brussels Convention which enable
Power to impose conditions upon its adhesion
Justify the President in assuming that the Sen
ate may act favorably hereafter, and in pro-
posing to the Powers the postponement OF the
date set for the exchange OF ratiicatlons. III
would seem easily possible to frame Declara-
lion which would satisfy the objection OF SEN
ators without doing offence to foreign Powers
and which then would enable us to approve
both the conventions.
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STOPM cIOUDS IN INDIA