Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-18
THE CONGO QUESTION
RESOLUTIONS OF INQUIRY BY
BALTIMoRE CHURCHES

BALTIMORE December lS.-As the
spokesman of the Interchurch Conference
on Federation. including about thirty
Protestant denominations, of which he is
the secretary and active head Rev. Dr. E..
B. Sanford of New York, at three preach
ers' meetings yesterday delivered a reply
to the statement made by Cardinal Glib
bons last Saturday in defense Of King
Leopold's administration in the Congo
Free State.
Partly as the result of DR.. Sanford's ut
terances and partly the result of their
previous convictions. the three meetings
adopted resolutions declaring that the pres
ent conditions in the Congo are a disgrace
to civilization. and that the strong ma
lions should unite in making demand for
a stoppage of the alleged atrocities.
DR.. Sanford was escorted to the three
meetings by Rev. DIR. oliver Huckel. The
point was emphasized that DR.. Sanford, as
the active head of the interchurch confer
ence. was pre-eminently the one Protestant
minister whose position fitted him to speak
with authority in reply to Cardinal Glib
bonS.
In his address and in that made by those
who proposed the resolutions at each of
the meetings, it was pointed out that the
atrocities in the Congo are not matters for
UNCONVENTIONAL dispute. but merely ques-
tions of fact. DIR. Sanford insisted
throughout his argument that his authori-
ties were more reliable than those upon
which the cardinal based his opinion. He
declared that Catholic missionaries on the
field in the Congo affirmed the charges
made against Leopold.
Lutherans for Investigation.
The first meeting which DR.. Sanford adj
dressed was that of the Lutheran minis
tiers at ST. Paufs Lutheran Church.
There the question was brought up
whether it would be proper for them to
enter into controversy with the car
Iiual After one speaker had pointed out
that the question was merely of the facts
it was decided to hear DR.. Sanford
At the close of his address, this resolu-
ton was passed:
..That the Lutheran ministers of Balti-
more believe that the situation in the
Congo demands investigation by the sigma
tory powers which created that govern
ment. They believe, from repor.s, uoou
ments and testimony of Protestant ana
Catholic missionaries. that tie condltlons
there existing are disgrace to CIVILIZATION,
and they respectfully cal upon our govern
ment especially the President. the Secre-
tary of State and our senators and repre-
sentatives to do all in their power to
bring about an investigation OF the Congo
administration.
went to that of the Methodist Episcopal. at
E,utaw Street Church. There similar reso u
tons were adopted
Letter to President Roosevelt.
DR. Slnfcrd recited the action which the
interchureh conference had taken with re-
gard to the Congo revelations. Just what
the conference recommends, he said, was
stated in a letter which he, as secretary.
recently wrote to President Roosevelt and
to each of the members of both branches of
Congress In this letter, which he read in
the course of his address. DR.. Sanford
pointed oat:
Il. That the United States has respon-
sibility in this matter growing out Of the
action which. with other nations. the over
sight of the Congo Free State was placed
iE the hands of King Leopold.
80 That the reEort Of tie comm1sSlon ap-
pointed by the king and SO long delayed Is
in itself, aside from tie testimony of hon.
ored missionaries, a terrible and sufficient
indictment Of Leorold's ri e.
80. That the time has come that the ma
ton. through it's executive counsels and
Congress. should stand by Great Britain
and other of the sigma tory powers in taking
such action as may seem best.
Baptists Take Action.
Although DIR. Sanford was unable to at
tend the meeting Of the Baptist ministers.
held at First Church, the question of the
Congo was brought up before that body.
Resolutions commencing the present att
tude and utterances Of the Congo Reform
Association and calling upon Congress to-
give attention to the matter were passed.
The preamble of the re-o.utton says. THE
CITY of Baltimore has OF late been promi-
nentiy invo we'd in the existing controversy
over the relations of the King Of Belgium
to the Congo Free State. and this question
has once more been placed before our citi-
zens through the ardent championship of
the kings methods by his majesty's con-
sui general, Mr.. James GuStavus White ey,
and by his eminence. Cardinal Gibbons"