The Washington times., 1906-12-14
District Attorney May
Take Up Case of For
mer Secretary of Sen
ator Morgan.
INTEREST IN CONGRESS
In AFFAIR INCREASES
Statement as to Position of
Representative of King
Leopold Explains
His Work.

Congress, In both the House and Sen
ate. is more interested today than it has
yet been In the development In the ac-
eusation that King Leopold Of Belgium
maintained a lobby IN this city 10 pre-
vent the United States interfering with
the atrocities in the Congo.
The Congo consul general, James
Gustavus Whitley. after saying several
days ago that he had no idea what the
duties were of Colonel Kowalsky, the
head OF the lobbyists. issued another
statement today saying that KoWalsky
was employed by the King merely 10
give any private or public individual any
information he might desire about the
Congo Free State
There IS talk today OF the District
Attorney prosecuting Major Garrett, al
ready discharged from the service OF
Senator Morgan on a charge OF being
concerned with the lobby. the prosecu-
ton 20 be based on the following pro
vision in the Revised Statutes OF the
United States relating TO correspondence
of citizens Of the United States with
foreign governments:
Section $3.50 Every citizen Of the
United States. whether actually resident
or abiding with the same. or IN anv for
elSu country, who, without the permis-
sion or authority Of the Government,
directly or indirectly. commences or
carries on any verbal or written CORE
spOndence or intercourse with any for
clgn government, or any officer or agent
thereof, with an intent to influence the
measures or conduct of any foreign gov
eTument, or OF any officer or agent IN
relation 10 any disputes or controversies
with the United States. or TO defeat the
measures Of the Government OF the
United States, and every person being
"a
United States. and not duly authorized.
who counsels, advises, or assists IN
any such correspondence, w4sh suca
intent, shall be punished by fine
of not more than $500. and by impris-
Onment during a term OF not less than
Six months nor more than three years
but nothing I'm this section shall be con-
strued 10 abTidge the right OF citizen
10 apply, himself or his agent 10 any
foreign government or the agents there
of. for redress for any injury which he
may have sustained from such govern
ment. or any OF its agents or subjects.
Il do not know OF the existence or the
lobby. and, in fact, I believe there Is no
lobby. and that there has been none.
In so far as Col. Henry l. kOwalsky' s
connection goes, ! am not prepared 20
say, because he acted independently OF
the consulate.
I must add. also. that Colonel Kcw-
alsky had his own instructions delivered
70 him ana signed by King Leopold.
IOl0neI hOWalSkyS DuIy.
Colonel K0walsl<y's duty was to offer
tnformation-nOt 20 purchase opinion
to whoever needed It. regardless Of his
station He was free 10 give il TO
statesmen, as well as private individ-
uals. His office believe. was in New
York. and business often called him 10
Washington"
Within the past few days, It is
claimed pamphlets have been received
by members of Congress under Balti-
more dates which purport to give "the
latest phase of the Congo question"
. but are IN reality a defense OF KtnG
Leopold and his acts in the Congo
Baltimore, il is said, Is the headquarters
Of Whitley.
Senator McCreary OF Kentucky. who
is a member Of the Foreign Relations
Committee. is one Of the Senators who
has received one of the pamphlets.
7 haven't taken the trouble TO read
the pamphlet" " said Senator McT,reary
today. but / don't like the spirit which
prompts the sending of II. It seems tC
me that these OutraEes in the Congo
have gone far enough. l believe that
the United States has a perfect right 10
Interfere 80
senator Flint. OF California, takes q
similar view of the situation.
There is one other thing in cOnneC-
tiOn with this situation" added the
Senator, significantly. 81 am opposed tC
any agent or official of this Govern
ment being directly or indirectly con-
cerned in the Congo in anyway"
Disgrace to Civilization"
Senator Dubois Of Idaho said: Most
asSuredly / think something should be
/ done TO end the barbarities in the Congo
and if the activities Of Consul General
( Whitley were as they have been de-
! scribed il seems to me that our Gov
erEmeut ought TO take action"
Il have been reading a good deal OF
| the literature on this Congo Free State
matter said Senator Blackburn oi
/ kentucky. and have tried to inform
myself about the situation there.
! have noted the effort TO convey an i'm
| preston that conditions have improved
! in the last year or two ! am convinced
| that they are thoroughly bad, and a dis
grace to civilization" d"