The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1904-10-21
KING OF BELGIUM
MAKES PROTEST
Answers Attacks Made on Govern
ment OF Congo Free State.
SAYS STATEMENTS ARE FALSE
Col. Henry l.. kowIsL,, OF san Fran-
cisco, Friend al hing Leopold,
Presented the kings Letter
10 President hooseNelt.

Washington. oct lS.-At the request
OF the king OF Belgium. Col Henry l..
Kowalsky OF the San Francisco bar.
anu "A personal friend of King Leopold,
called at the White House. Monday. by
appointment and presented the reply
Of the federation for the defense OF
Belgian interests abroad To attacks
made on the government OF the Congo
Free state. Col Kowalsky presented
to the president an autograph picture
of King Leopold. framed in silver
Ia the course OF an extended audi
ence with the president. Col Kowalsky
said.
interested Britishcrs are endoavor.
ing. under the guise of benefactors
OF the CONGO natives. 70 oocu the
question Of sovereignty over those re-.
gions by calling a conference Of the
powers at which. il is hoped by the
Brltishers. England may establish the
contention that Belgium is impotent
to maintain an effective government
in the Congo.
In the interview. Col Kowalsky
said; Il presented to the president a
letter from King Leopold in reply to
the baseless charges OF the British
'humanitarians,' and also other docu.
ments stating the Belgian side OF this
controversy
The testimony Of travellers from
the day OF Sir Henry Stanley 10 the
present time is unanimous and en-.
phatic in praise OF the Congo Free
State government II il were necos-
sary TO disprove such Inconsistent and
palpably false charges As those which
try 70 make il appear that the Belgian
officers in the Congo chop of the
hands of blacks whom they are trying
10 cnsiave. would bring the statements
OF such eyewitnesses as Mai James
Harrison. Sir Harry Johnston. Mr.
Grenfeil. Capt NJ ID. Bell and Michael
Holland. themselves All Eng'ishmon
who assert that the Congo Free state
Is far more advanced ia civilization
than East Africa aad Uganda Car
dnal Gibbons has given his testimony
also regarding the great work per
formed by King Leopold ia Africa.
Il also called % tho presidents at
tention the fact that al this uproar IN
England over the fearful atrocities in
the Congo is fatherei by MT si3naries
whose applications for big concessions
We're turned down by the Belgian All
thoritios Not "a single charge cl cru
city. as | said ~ the pre- lelt has
been made eXceg; by those Who have
been seeking material Advantages 10
THAT region AMI who have not been
permitted % exploit 20 al the expense
Of Others told him that fact and
TIC fact that Great britain has failed
IN her effort ~ open up the Congo
question. accounts for the attempt now
being made 70 work upon the sympa
thics Of the american people By
trumpedup stories OF cruelty To the
Congo natives"
Cordially Received NJ President.
Col Kowaisky was cordially re
ceivei by the president who ex
pressed his pleasure that King Leo
pold had thus honored an American
After tho matter had been carefully
considered by the president AMI Sec
Rotary Hay. a reply VIII be made 70 the
Congo Reform association.
After his visit TO the White House.
Col Kowalsky sent cable to King
Leopold assuring him Of the presi
dents appreciation OF his majesty;
thoughtful consideration
King Leopold in his letter 70 Col. !
Kowaisky, a copy of which was left
with the president encloses a state
ment about the Congo from the fed |
Grafton for the defense OF Belgian in
terests abroad. and says:
You will. in delivering This com |
munication 10 President Roosevelt. re |
iterate to him on my behalf the feel |
ings Of high esteem have for him |
and the mistaken confidence place
in his spirit Of Justice ami impair.
dality
II have 70 express the desire that
Mr. Roosevelt will kindly take cogniz.
ance Of this address In your presence,
so that yOu may be afforded an op-
portunity to give him any further in
formation he might wish to obtain
from you. The foundation and fairness
OF the case which you have been good
enough 10 undertake to defend will
supply YOU with such numerous and
conclusive arguments as TO contour
the enemies Of the Congo Free state"
Football Fatalities Begin.
Rnlfnrd InL nct R.l.h NJ |