New-York tribune., 1904-10-17
THE CONGO CRUELTIEs.
The Widest Publicity Needed to Correct the
EnOrmities
To the Editor Of The Tribune.

To the Editor Of The Tribune
Sir; Many of the admirers Of Cardinal Gibbons
mi st regret the communication Re lately made to
the Peace Congress on the subject Of the Congo
Free State.
The hign ideals and noble as9irations Of which he
speaks are undoubtedly Of great Importance bu-
in spite of these the evidence Ia. overwhelming that
the natives OF the Congo have frequently been
treated with extreme barbarity Nor has the at
titude of the authorities who should correct these
abuses been nearly energetic the case de-
mands.
At least seven or eight years ago an article was
published in The Century Magazine" written by
a traveller who indorsed by wen known men,
that gave sad picture Of the crUelties and mall
administration occurring in the territories Of the
state. It said that the most abominabIe meth
ods were used 10 collect heavy taxes from the
natives. and the writer spoke OF seeing bands OF
children who had been torn from their parents and
villages as hostages. most OF whom finally died
as consequence of the trea tnent received.
Even before this time there reports Of terri
bic wrongdoing. and in late years the same story
has been frequently told that the world has at
last been forced to give it serious attention
Many OF these accounts were frightful in their
details. showing that at least some OF the agents
Of the government were willing wink at any
enormity, provided that thereby they could obtain
the products OF the country cheap rate and I'll
the pockets Of those in power.
The native Ievies were accused IF terrible crimes
and among others stories were told OF baskets OF
hands which had been off from tho living bodies
OF unfortunate villagers in effort 70 strike fear
through the country and make the collection of
spoil more easv. When these various tales are ex-
amined impartiaIIy the overwhelming weight Of
evidence seems to be in favor Of the general truth
of the charges
The many years during which stories have leaked
out: the character as well as the number of the per
sons telling them; the fact that many OF those who
felt forced to speak more less in the power OF
the accused. would have secured themselves happy
and more peaceful lives by remaining silent. inter
est being opposed 10 truth-aU this forces Us to
believe that horrible injustice has for years been
practised against the feeble natives OF the Congo.
mostly FOR the sake Of gain.
IT, linking the proof with the defence, it is said
IN excuse that such OItrageS always occur when
strong white attempts to rule over and grow
commissioned officers OF the Belgian army did not
F1sk their lives in Africa from motives OF philan-
world knows all this the founders Of a new Chris
{an tan state We're bound more strongly If possible
latest child OF civilization a model community.
There was no need TO take up the adventure. The
either their religion or their lives. but II they did
anything better than BANDITS and robbers 10 DO well
cBar se 5oTa 4Sg 15gn oy b 9or o otb ~
America not 70 speak OF other places shows that
the natives can be made prosperous and happy.
IL Is probably correctly pointed out that the setz
steaers who had hoped in the future TO ravage the
E I,l an esape Iroil ~ IsrIoIS o. - oI -
features OF civilization. power with full knowl-
edge OF the dangers and difficulties that have
haunted such governments IN the past which forces
itself unwilling people. is bound 70 give at
least fair amount OF happiness and cOntentment.
The doing so Is the excuse for its existence
The soldier Of fortune. who knows Africa allows
him but few years 10 make his pile, il he would
live 10 enjoy it, thousand miles away from any
breath OF civilization and gratifying every passion
. at the expense OF some trembling tribe. may not
care what say think. but his masters. who
desire respeCtability we'll dollars. dread the
public voice they do the pla ague-
To correct these enorities. publicity IS our most
efficient weapon and for this reason the sad and
dlsEraceful story Of the Congo should be told in
season and out or season in every quarter of the
globe. 5 3. c.
Woodstock Vt. Oct. Is 1904.