The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-07-29

In a chapter Of his second volume the author
discusses the Government OF the Congo Free
State, which. although It has Brussels for a
centre, is entirely distinct from the Govern
ment Of Belgium. There Ia. In truth, at present
no connection between the two countries, ex-
ccpt that leopold II. Is both king OF the Bel.
gians and sovereign OF the Congo State. The
creation Of the State was made known by letter
to the heads Of the trading companies and
to the several missions within tho territory
concerned on July I. 1880. and on July 10 the
constitution OF the new political entity was
proclaimed at Banana. The flag Is q nve-
pointed star in gold upon a dsrk-bluo ground;
the official language is French. The sover.
eisn Ia absolute. and only when he sees At con.
suits a superior council sitting at Brussels,
which may also act as o Court Of Cessation.
| The Secretary OF State is the acting head OF
the Government; he Is assisted by a chief of
the cabinet. a treasurer-genera and three
general secretaries. who are respectively the
heads Of the Department Of Finance and Of
the Home and Foreign Ofices. These officials.
serving under the King. direct the affairs OF
the State from Brussels. The seat Of the local
administration is at Bona; there Is. however.
some talk OF transferring IL to Stanley Pool
or to some point Of high elevation in the cata.
ract region. The supreme direction Of affairs
at Bona Is In the hands OF q governor general.
who Ia assisted by vice-governors, inspectors
OF State. a encouragement and several d.
rectors. The territory Is divided into four
teen districts. each OF which Is controlled by
q district commissioner; two OF these districts.
those OF Stanley Falls and tho welle, are d.
vided into zones. The Congo State has an
army Of 1000 men, distributed In various camps.
In all of the districts there nre courts Of justice.
The basis OF the avs Is the Code Napoleon,
but further enactments have been added 10
adapt tho law to the local circumstances There
is a director OF Justice at Soma who supervlses
the administration Of the law, and the Court
OF Appeals sits. as a rule, in the same place.
Certain chiefs are appointed as Magistrates
to settle minor disputes among the natives.
We add that In each OF the districts there are
registrars. notaries and postmasters. The
principal mission stations. both Protestant
and Roman Catholic, have been made registry
Offices, and the senior missionary acts as regis
trar. Marriages can thus DO legally cele-
brated.
The Belgian Treasury has advanced by way
OF loan $500. 900 annually to the administra-
ton OF the Congo State for ten years from
1890. and this grant has been supplemented
by the Kings personal gift to the extent OF
100000 o year. Tho expenses OF the State
have been always in excess Of the receipts,
but in an ever lessening ratio. SO that the at
tainment Of an equilibrium Is hoped for at an
early date. Tho public debt amounts to about
SIS. 0O0.0OO. A State currency has been issued
to the extent Of about $3.50, 600 In silver and
copper, and there is also an issue OF State notes
which may not, however, exceed $50. 900. The
duties levied on general merchandise coming
into the State are Q per cent. ad vaorem. but
there 10 q reduction for machinery, and spirits