The sun., 1903-11-07
THE UNITED STATES AND THE
congo.
The Missionary Phase OF the question:

The Missionary Phase OF the Question.
To THE EDITOR OF THE SuN-.Sir: Some
effort is apparent to draw the United States
into the controversy between England and
Belgium regarding the condition Of affairs
in the Congo Free State. The effort is
based on the ratification by the United
States OF the Brussels Act of 1890.
The Congo Free State was established
by the act OF the Berlin Conference Of 1885,
and the United States was not party to
that act. The essential feature Of the Brus-
sells Act of 1890 was the provision for the
right Of Belgium to annex the Congo State
after the expiration of ten years if she
saw At to do 30. The United States was
signatory to that agreement, although it
would seem that we had no particular con-
Germ in the matter one way or the other.
But the recognition of Belgium's right
to annex an equatorial wilderness. In which
this country neither had nor has any spe-
cial interest, does not seem to me to create
any American responsibility for Belgian
violation OF the provisions Of the Berlin
Act, to which the United States was not a
party.
do not see any reason why the United
States should be drawn into the matter.
This country has no ma terial interests in
the Congo Free State. Our mora! interests
are of questionable validity. They appear
in connection with missionaries and their
labors. 1t Is asserted that these have
encountered interference in their work. 1t
Is by no means certain that the United
States is either legally or morally bound
to support or even to protect its citizens
who voluntarily engage in mission work
In so-called heather lands. 1t is certain
that the nobility Of such work is inoalcula-
bly, modified by an appeal of the workers
for either the military or the diplomatic
support of their Government When the
first missionaries were sent to preach the
Gospel to every creature" they were sent
as individuals going on their own personal
responsibility, "as lambs among wolves, "
and. nothing was said of an appeal to
Cesar or Of support by the cohorts of
Rome. 1t is true that Paul appealed from
Festus to Caesar. but it is not recorded
that he or such men as Francis Xavier
or Jean de Brebeuf asked their Govern
ments to stand behind them in their labors
In the mission field.
Individual cases of brutality and wrong
doing may not be necessary attendants,
the processes of race development. They
should be averted and suppressed if it be
possible 10 do so, and Government which
permits and is charged with winkiug at, if
not with directly encouraging, such pro-
ceedngs should be called to order. Eng.
lands attitude In the Congo matter would
command a larger sympathy and support
if that Of which complaint is made were
less common in her own history, and if one
could believe a little more confidently In
the unselfshness OF her motives for her
interference.
The Congo State would make beautiful
area for enclosure within England's ring
fence in Africa. There is also strong proba-
bility that English control Of that country
would be benefit 20 the Congo and to the
world at large A frank statement to that
effect would be more impressive, if not
more commendable, than action based on
a plea for humanity AMERICAN.
NEW YORK. Nov. g.