New-York tribune., 1904-10-30
N THE CONGO FREE STATE
PspIy By Mr.. MoreI to Contentious
of King Leopold.
:, =. rdltor os The tribune.

"a text ef the letter addressed by King Leopold II
. colonel KowA.sky. published in the American
Esess
AS n that letter the Congo Reform Association
yhoBs founder and temporary representative IN
sais country am. is directly attacked by King
Leopold. I beg 20 point out that King Leopoid's
ls,,sr CONFIRMS II the most explicit manner that
which. 70 the best OF my ability, have endeavored
Already SiiEE home the American public
IN dosooneing the steps Of his throne to do battle
With the Congo Reform Association king Leopold
Fovsas himself. not the constitutional monarch OF
Bslgium-with whom the Congo Reform Associa-
sion has 10 eoncern-but the sovereign absolute
g ere Congo Territories sole arbiter destines
q agteen million human beings scattered over a
tsTltogy moro thaa enc million square miles in ex-
telE
A constitutional monarch can only speak through
the Ministers chosen By his people and Is de-
barred by constitutional usage from entering the
arena Of controversy even though the nation over
which he rules as constitutional sovereign. be
aFTaigned
In this case the Belgian nation IS not arraigned.
and King Leopold is defending. not the Belgian
gOysTnment, nor the Belgian people. but his own
personal rule on the Congo, unfettered by any In
tsTnal check which is alone in question.
This having cow been made absolutely clear by
King Leopold himself. am dispensed from further
alCsioa 10 It take the four following passages
from King Leopold's letter, seriatiTn:
Flrst-Ths Congo Free State is now being at
tackled By group of English merchants and mis-
EionAriss. at present represented in Washington
By Nr. MoEel
My comment upon that IS this: The Congo Re-
form Association numbers among its supporters
fifty peers OF the British realm and Members OF
Parliament several distinguished Americans and
representatives Of the Continental powers, high
dignitaE5es of varying creeds phianthropists pro-
fessional and literary men. African travellers etc
Al creeds. and virtually all the principal walks
IN life, are represented the association, and
among women who have Joined US may meLtion
Hrs. John Richard Green. the most distinguished
lrlfhwonan Of the day. at present a visit to
this country
The memorial had the honor OF presentin,; TO
President Roosevelt waR also supported by the
British aid Foreisa Anti-Slavery Society. the
Aborig1nes Protection Society ana the Internal
Arbitration and Peace Association which include
among their respective members men whose names
are world known II wa5 also supported independ-
entity BY, among others the Bishop OF Hereford
George Meredith. T. A Claiming II p and
Herbert Ward Cwho with Stanley on the
Conso). and BY the Evangelical Free Churches OF
England and Wales. whose adhesion came too late
for incorporation IN the said document
So much for the group Of English merchants
and missionaries"
II the presentation os this memorial 70 your
President was 'sudacious." as King Leopold as
tsrts without warrant, may ! ask whether it be
not stIl more "audacious" his part 10 tell the
american public that It was presented BY group
Of English merchants and nissionanes"?
Second the Congo Free State has been
worltag with a success that accounts for all this
haired and jealousy tcwaro introducing into terri
ton and progress and toward improving the ma
natives.
The material and moral conditions OF existence
Of the natives is attested By these quotations
from many DOZEN which have before me:
,.sD ssDgsssTS soy. 70 & me t4at hat the tssts which have
spirit which ani-nates the Relgan ADMINISTRATIONS
y indeed. administration it can be called. The
almost exclusively commercial principles, and
even judged by that standard. it would appear thef
dord cTOmer. 1893
eaTsn hSys e; seen recently number Of native women
h55e s61 SsT q men 6g with child w9o had been taken
Ill Ill II IelI homes and We're tied together by the
asked the reason OF this detention I was IN
is but the customary measure o prees1jo5 15
ne chiet q the neighborinG European factory
supply Of india rubber due by the hlisbsT5s Of
General Easement, 1909
Men are first applied for, and. II they do not
Present themselves. a soldier soldiers are sent
ToTaen are geS fleis Until e,IS The
ton American missionary, 1893,
A close acquaintance with the conditions shows
are no less than slaves 70 the state-CI5r. Lyon
American medical missionary. 1903.
We 20 appear for cutting Off eighty hands
eiLne.Ilvlng women ana imDaling the remains Of
taGgh htered males on the village palisaGes.-(Pub-
hs sn hs Been ot La9rI az sr Besa3 & h Ags1t @ in 100
months and his chiefs we're not punished)
The work of ct,izstion. as you car IT, is an
LoFsnd in the Belgian House. 1903.
So much for prog civilization" ana re
Generation" under King LeoDold's rule on the
Congo.
Inird-A mere examination of the memorial is
sHeo Dy ne Congo Reform Association viii show
ne commission OF inquiry recently appointed by
IA iOV- DDl-
guaFantee OF impartiality This affirmation is at
commission. which. as Will be seen by The accom-
tatynG text. have given them fun liberty and fun
Ny reply 20 this IS 20 give the following quota
Non from the official statement issued by the
Congo Reform Association. 10 which have moth
ing 90 add:
an Instructed respectfully 10 poiat out that it
,,, S..S ,Sohttelon OF my executive that the in
Eong2 territories have been and are the scene are
entire system OF administration, and that no COM
nent can be intiusted 10 check the abnssss s. Of =
power. -s
1 may remark IN this connection that the Inter
national Peace Congress. assembled at Boston, re-
eently voted unanimously that the Congo question
e referred 70 a fresh conference OF the powers
concerned in the formation OF the Congo Free
bia'e or 20 the Court OF Arbitration at The Hague
FouTth-This fact ohis paragraph follows I'm
neoiately the preceding one relating TO the COM
non honest people againEt the biassed assertions OF
80 Sn opponents: these arc set Al naught by the
State.
This economic progress" takes the following
toFEn ss per the Official returns Of the Congo gov
eminent.
Ess315i c5srd sts2:a sssa caBES cI@P9fssS STATE. to
Francs Francs.