The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-10-18
Tho Truth About the Congo.

The Truth About the Congo.
The truth about the Congo Free State
controversy is that there is being re-
peated in that land the history Of the
civilization of barbaric races by those OF
higher development That process has
usually if not always been attended by
more or less fragrant instances Of in
justice and cruelty on the part Of some
Of the advanced guard of the higher
and civilizing race.
In predatory note to Mr.. BoURNE's
lately published Civilization in Congo
land Sir CHARLES dixie, who is not
always the most temperate and impair
tial of analysts, says: THE fiendish cru
city toward the natives which has at
times been exercised by some of those
employed in the Congo State is not now
denied even by the administrators Of the
State ITSELF While the fact cannot be
advanced in extenuation Of any acts Of
cruelty which may have been perpe-
trated in the Congo Free State, it is to
may be brought with equal truth against
other colonizing countries, including
England from time immemorial, whether
sovereignty over the inferior race was
secured by armed conquest or by peace
full measures.
A quarter OF century ago, about as
much was known OF the vast region in
the heart Of Africa, now designated az
the Congo Free State, as was known OF
the planet Mars, although the exist
ence Of such country had been re-
vealed to the world by the Portuguese
discoveries Of four hundred years ago.
Attention was first called to the region
by the expedition OF Mr.. HENRY NJ.
STANLEY. The Belgians were the first
to establish a definite foothold in the
country, and in 1883 King LEOPOLD II.
founded the Congo International Asso-
citation, The sovereignty Of that asso-
citation was recognized by treaties nego-
tiated with most Of the European Powers
and with the United States. The Confer
ence of Berlin in February, 1885, and
later conventions, have effected certain
notifications in its political status; but
sovereignty remained and still remains
vested in the King Of Belgium Charges
are brought, not only of cruelty and in
justice toward the native people. but
also that practically the whole OF the
country has been EARNED out" to GER
tain organizations, such as the Katanga
company, the Mongolia company, the
Kasai company. and others, for their
exploitation; and it is asserted that the
government Of the Congo State ia a ma
jority stakeholder in these enterprises.
winking at II not aiding and abetting
the alleged cruelties perpetrated by the
agents of these companies.
The Belgian Government denies that
any exclusive trade monopoly has been
granted to any of these companies, and
asserts its faithful adherence to the vari.
Gus articles of the Berlin act, by which
absolute freedom of trade and trans
portation was assured to all, without
distinction of nationality. 1t is probable
that the Government has kept entirely
within the letter Of the law of the treaty.
and that any who choose may 60 there
and buy and sell without restriction.
But it is also probable that the official
cession of specific rights to certain or
CARNATIONS over vast areas Of land
where the Government claims proprie-
torshp has constituted a virtual mo-
nopoly for those organizations In their
respective areas, to the injury of outside
traders. One may give his neighbor a
full and free legal right to enter or cross
his premises at will, but if he erects
around the major portion of those prem
ises wall so high that the neighbor
cannot scale it, the value Of the right is at
least modified The Congo Government
claims proprietary rights over certain
areas of land not otherwise owned. It
has seen fit to assign certain rights within
those areas to organized companies
The returns from these assigned rights
constitute rather more than half the
revenues Of the States, and, according
to the official assertion, enable it to
stand on its credit, to contract loans
necessary for its public work, to guaran-
tee a minimum interest on the capital
employed in the construction of railways,
and generally to provide for its task of
government with very moderate taxes.
1t appears entirely probable that in
this particular matter the Congo Govern
ment is quite within its legal rights and il
Is quite possible that the policy adopted is,
under the circumstances, sound and wise.
Naturally, it IL criticised by those whom
the system excludes from participation
in the Congo trnde, although the Govern
ment declares that such have every right
to buy and sell az much as they can.
II they cannot compete with those wh0
are paying the Government total OF
nearly $1,000, 900 year for certain ad.
vantages, it IN their misfortune and not