Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-03-29
AFFAIRS IN THE CONGO
REPORT OF CONDITIONS TO THE
BRITISH GOVERNMENT.
Many Allegations Regarding the Adj
ministration Are Denied
Detailed Statements.

Chevalier de Cuvelier secretary general
of the state department of Congo, to the
British government in recent note per-
tanning to alleged conditions in the Congo
Free State affecting the treatment of ma
tives and trade, denies that the manner in
which the state is administered entails
systematic regime .of cruelty or of OPP
PRESTON, and that the principle of freedom
of trade would cause modification in the law
of property as is universally understood.
He says that in the multitude of meetings,
writings and speeches directed of late
against the state. always the same facts
are affirmed and the same evidence pro-
duced.
Treatment of Natives.
Concerning the treatment of the natives
the note recites that the government of the
state never has denied that crimes and Of
lenses are committed in the Congo, "as in
every other country and in every other
colony" Further it is stated that it has
been recognized that these misdemeanors
have been brought before the tribunals
and their authors have been punished" The
conclusion to be drawn from this it is
stated, is that the state fulfills its mission
ana that II, as matter of fact. some Of
lenses nave escaped over the vast terri
tory of the state the vigilance of judicial
authorities this circumstances would not
be peculiar to the Congo State. The au-
tnorities nave severely punished persons
convicted as salutary lessons to others.
Referring to the allegations that I'm a train
proceeding from Leopoldville to Mataid
three wagon were filled with slaves, of
wnom dozen were chained under guard
or soldiers the governor general is quoted
as saying that the greater number of those
represented to compose a convoy of slaves
were militiamen, being dispatched from one
oistrlct to another, and that the chained
M rfU of L.
Dy the terrible tribunal. Basoko and who
came to work out their punishment in the
central prison Of Boma.'
The Matter of Taxation.
Replying to allegations against the sys-
tenn of the states administration so far as
concerned the taxes the note says: AT the
bottom 1t is the contribution of the Congo
native to the public expenses that is criti-
cised, as If there existed single country
or a single colony where the inha bitants
under one form OF another did not bear his
part IN those expenses. state without
resources is 1nconceivable. On what legiti-
mate foundation could the exemption of the
natives from all taxation be based when
they are the first to benefit by advantages
In the material and moral order introduced
into Africa? In default of money a contri-
button in labor is required of them. Others
have spoken of the necessity. in order to
save Africa from barbarism. of bringing
INC DldChS To the cOmpTe nenSiOn work,
precise by the obligation of paying a tax"
1t is denied that the men composing the
armed force of the state We're in many
cases recruited from the most warlike and
savage tribes the assertion being made
that the public force is recruited in all the
provinces and from among the whole pop
ulation of the state.
Continuing, the secretary general says
that since 1898 the improvement in the
general condition of the natives has pro-
crossed Still further; that the post of negro
sidiers, which has been criticised, exist
no more and that school and work shops
are being multiplied Economically speak
ing it would be deplorable" he says, that
in spite of rights regularly acquired by the
whites the domain land should be SO dis
posed of to pass even temporarily in
the hands of natives. 1t would be the re-
turn to their former state of abandonment
when the native left them unproductfye.
In closing, it is asserted that the policy of
the state has not, as has been stated killed
trade. but, on the contrary, has created
and fostered it.