Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-10-08
LEOPOLD rs ARRAIGNED
CONGO REFORMER MAKES AP-
PEALS TO THE PEACE CONGRESS.
Claims That Congo Reform Association
Begins With Humanitarianism
and Ends With Commercialism.

A ulSpdtCn from Boston last night says.
The policy of King Leopold of Belgium in
treating with the people of the Congo Free
State was attacked this afternoon at a
public meeting, held under the auspices of
the international congress, by E. d. Morel
of England. representing the Congo Reform
Association The meeting was called to dis
cusS the relations of races and the menace
to the worlds order through the eXploita-
ton of weaker people. Mr.. Morel said in
part:
THE errand which brought me to the
United States is a very simple one. 1t is to
appeal to you in behalf of the oppressed
and prosecuted people Of the Congo, for
whose present unhappy condition you and
we have great moral responsibility. from
which we cannot escape, and from which in
honor we should not attempt to escape. 1t
IS my privilege to ask you. who are met
mere in the cause of peace, whether you will
not ieHo hand In staying the cruel and de-
structlve wars-if the murder of helpless
men and women can be dignified by such a
name-which for ten long years have been
decimating the Congo peoples"
Mr.; Morel related the circumstances under
Wnlch, ne said. King Leopold of Belgium
obtained recognition for the Congo Free
State from the world powers.
With such fervor,' he said, did Leopold
protest the purity of his motives and the
sincerity of his philanthropic aims that he
succeeded In convincing the whole world
and the association blossomed forth into
the Independent state Of the Congo. Thus,
briefly. were the destinies of 10000. 900 hui
man beings assigned to King Leopold in
trust for civilization.
Oppressed and Hopeless"
For nearly twenty years this policy of
peace and liberty or moral and material
regeneration has been in full swing. But
nf
the light shines upon another picture
a picture of a miserabIy oppressed and
hopeless people. 1t discloses an enslaved
ana stricken race, groaning beneath a woke
heaVler than the ten plaques of Egypt. and.
unlike them. undeserved ~
Inc population Is rapidly disappearing
under the strain. Large and flourishing ma
i've towns ten years ago are today entirely
Vold, or else tenanted by a few misera HE
1 Tan1 or once numerous population.
mat is The true picture proved beyond the
possibility of doubt which the unroIling nf
the Congo curtain discloses.
ana this insensate policy, which. vera #
natlonal' would be suicidal, has been con-
ceived and is applied for the beneft oe =
handful Of individuals VI "
II is against the overpowering horror of
Inns eVli mat some of US in England ara
protesting. agitating. moving. We have had
1ra naiu struggle TO make our own country
men understand the true condition Of az
talrs. Inc memorial which 1 had the ereat
uonor or presenting to President RooseveIt
one other day is signed by some of the
greatest rames in Britain
The African slave has been re,,,aa 49,,
Is IN 1ull swing in the Congo TODAY ast
Seo 10 heip us to root it up and fling # ont
OF OF AFRICA and just as I have no Doubt of
sn ne 1streatness and loftiness of your ideals.
will be-" 'oui answer
King Leopold Defended.
MI. MOrelS Speoob ,ro,,o,..,
reply from George Herbert Head or Cav
bridge. England. in defense of King Leo
poid. Mr.. Head said in part:
Mr.. Morel has treated with sn,o,a,s
scorn the idea that there is any commerciaI
motive In the mind of England. but in ever,
ps.mpnlet, In every speech, in every docr.
tnenl tnat l nave ever seen comine, fron,
Ills congo Reform Association they start
~, Will ,nuInanltarianism and end with com
The Congo Free State is doing all that
- ~ IS aoie TO do to prevent acts of cruelty TO
The Congo Free State government 40
s1res an investigation. and Is NOT q Ell, oe
It, and II these people bring charges arainet
the administration, the government nndar.
taxes that 1t will show that if the facts are
al eauy IN It's possession that that man
mas aTeady been punished; IT, on the other
nano' the facts have not been known tn
tnem, the government will make an investi
CATION, and that man will be punished If
guilty. Il
I'm America the idea Is largely prevalent
that King Leopold makes a large fortune
out OF the Congo. In return for the mil
lions he has turned into the state there is
a large portion of land called the crown
domain, but its affairs are entirely admin
1stered by free men in Brussels, and not a
farthing of that money goes into the kings
pocket.
THE government is doing everything in
its power that it can do for the natives
and not for the advancement of this com
pany, which merely exists for the exporta-
ton of the rubber"
The congress today accepted a report from
the committee on propaganda, recommend
ing that the congress in 1905 be held at
Lucerne. Switzerland.
Resolutions were adopted recommending
to all nations to enter into treaty IN
surfing in case of dispute between countries
that the difference would be submitted for
settlement to a union of all the powers.
A second public meeting this afternoon
was held in the Old South Meeting House
to consider the progress of the peace move
ment in Europe. with addresses by prom
inent foreign delegates.
A dinner was given last night, at which
the foreign delegates were the guests.