New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-03-17
THE CONGO FREE STATE.
FALSE STATEMENTS REGARDING THE WORK
OF THE BRUSSELS CONFERENCE.
THE INTERESTS OF THE UNITED STATES CARE
FULLY GUARDED, AND ITS POLICY
CARRIED OUT.
TBY TELEGRAPH TO TIE TKBUSE.I


Washing gton, March 1d.-It seems 10 be the purpose
in certain quarters 10 throw much dscred as posi-
bic upon the work accompl Sed by the AntlHhVerY
Conference Of BRUSSELS though the animus OF such
proceeding is rather difficult 10 understand. recent
cable dispatch. inaccurate as 10 facts and malicious
in itS intent has furnished eVldi-roscd persons
in this country prcext FOR erecting upon is state
ments >upcr,tructurc Of al~chood which, If allowed
10 90 uncontradctcd cannot fail to create altogether
erroneous impression to the result, OF the BrusSels
Conference and the manner in which those results
we're reached II is Of importance therefore. that
what are und disputed facts fully borne ont by an In
spection Of the minutes Of the conference should be
briefly Set forth.
1t is wrong, for instance. 10 assert that the dis
cus,on which resulted in authfiZng the levy Of taxes
on certain imported articles either protracted or
that opposition 10 such policy, except perhaps as to
details involved, manifested by any one OF the
representatives OF the Powers which took part in the
conference on the contrary, Ne antlsavery principle
having been adopted. and the necessity Of furnishing
the new state with the Of Supprc,Sing the slave
trade having been recognized. the member Of tho con
ference promptly and unanimously voted in favor Of
tariff which in single instance exceeds 10 per ccnt
and in a majority Of the articles enumerated falls f~
short Of that rate. The insinuatiOn made that such
tariff is in the interest Of this or that country aud NOS
for the purpose for which the members of The con
ference designed 1t. IS maciou, It is bl-cleS7
Both the representatives. Of the United states in tie
conference Me,,rs sanford and Terrell took an active
and cedtablc part in the proceedings. aud II upon
their representation, that many Of the details wde
modified 80 - to secure unanimOrs approval Of the
work Of the conference
The Interests Of the United states were guarded with
Jealous care and the treaty with the Congo Free state
which was signed January 81 last and Transmitted
bv the President to the Senate. was the practical
result Of the conference far this country Is con
cerned. The senate took up the consideration OF tho
treaty at the eleventh hour Little or no tine rc
NAMED TO explain its scope and ELECT aad for reasons
il /, not difficult 10 understand failed Of Tai.tco
ton though motion to reconsider the vote hy which
il failed secure the assent Of tn" Scnai", Wu'h was
promptly made by of the friends OF The treaty, mag
reverse in December next the vote Of March !.
I'm the meantime 10 f. neither filr nor decent tn
created by statement Of fact and iuuUiio ami
innucnd0cS prejudice against policy which a all
time, the United state, ha, been foremost - champion
and defend. n certainly i, not the purpp-c of any
Administration At this late day to "b~irur by word or
decd the cAtirpon Of the Slave trade. con II be
the object of any who ha, given the matter the
slightest attention. and who bear in mind the record
q. the United state and the di-intcr,i"d efforts Of
King Leopold to assist In tn" pcrpctuatOn of thi,
scandal by impugning the motive, Of those who 7uG
ge, the practical mean, By which alone it can be
cd