The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-04-11
THE CONGO FREE STATE.
Stanley Says lis Fate Depends Upon The
Action of This Government.

NEW YORK, April 10-In a letter to the
Tribune, Stanley saws: "Once again in the
course of its brief history the fate of
the indepeudent State of Congo de-
pends upon the good will of the
United States. The Government OF this
country was the first TO recognize
the new African State. founded by Leopold
II, and the European powers now assert
that, despite their delay In following the
example set them by the great American
republic, the Congo Stat. has made remark
able progress. 1t has begun the construc-
tion of a railroad from the Atlantic to
Stanley Pool. Ten miles, at last accounts,
had been constructed.
" In 1894 it is hoped that the railway will
be finished by which easy access to 5000
miles of navigable water will have been Sc
cured. AT present fi0tilla OF thirty steam
erS collect the commerce of the upper
Congo. The human carrying force which
in 1879 numbered q few hundred, has
increased to 10000 men. A region so sparse
ly populated as the Congo Cataract region
cannot furnish very many men for this
work, but in 1894 it is believed that the rail-
way will be able tn take this man-transport
power, and 1900 native carriers will be
utilized in other ways.
"Auy reflective man will be able to per-
ceive what blessing it will be to the conn-
try while these thousands of natives, re-
iieved from transport service, can devote
themselves to the cultivation of the soil.
Great improvements have also taken place
in the upper Congo. Tie tribes formerly
addicted to caEibalism have been changed
into disciplined soldiers and poli;e. There
are $500 Bangaas engaged on the police
force, and their camps or stations are scat
tered along 1400 miles OF the river.
''At the confluence of the Aruwimi with
the Congo there is permanent camp of
R.nuoloa RalUiau A
another station there Is a strong force Of
Houssas, Cungoese and Zanzbars. Far up
the Lumami, Sankaru and kasa tributaries
are strongly built stations, containing effi-
Glen tsgaTrlsonS.
Until the recognition CT the Congo
State by Europe and America King Leo
pold had expended personally S2,000,000 in
the support of his project. Since February
%. 1885, up 10 the present time the King has
contributed Sl,200,000. Any one who has
read the proceedings of the Brussels Anti
Slavery Conference which vas held last
year will be aware of the expectations
formed by the several Powers of Europe
and America in regard to the government
of the Congo State. Ii Is expected that
the Congo State will proceed at once to ex-
ereSe its full powers and declare war
against the slave-traders ard continue it
until they have utterly ceased their muir
derous trade, or it will be said that the
Congo State has proved TO be failure. AS
the United States Government was the hrst
to recognize the Congo State, and as the
American representatives signed the act of
the conference which was to eXtirpate
slavery from its last stronghold, it will
strike every one that it would be most
deplOrahle If the United States were to
withdraw lis adhesion.
at is impossible that the Republican Ad-
nnistrati0n can let this opportunity pass
away to express by its acts consistent ad-
hesion to the principles o: the Republican
party. If the ID of July arrives with
out an exchange of the ratifications
having been effected, the Republican
party will, unconsciously perhaps, have
throughout the world OF having abandoned
its principles. There is yet time to call a
special session of the Senate for this pur-
pose. or, perhaps, the President and his
able Secretary of state may be able to avert
this appalling catastrophe TO Africa"