New-York tribune., 1906-06-24
THE KING AND THE CONGO.

King Leopold's reply TO the criticisms of his
conduct Of the Congo State and TO the de-
mands for reform is undoubtedly adrOit and
strong, if not impregnable Some have de
scribed il as audacious word which may be
/ permitted TO stand if we can divest it of all
offensive significance Practically, the King
says the affairs Of the Congo are his own busl-
ness and no ones else. The state was founded
at his initiative and has been developed at his
expense, wherefore he is entitled to its profits.
As for Intervention, investigation or other med
ding by any other nation, it is impossible. since
the Berlin act makes the state entirely indie
pendent and makes him It's absolute sovereign,
and while it does reserve to the signatory
powers the right to alter or modify the char
ter of the state, such right can be exercised
only by the unanimous agreement of them all
something which seems not likely to be secured
this side Of the Greek Kalends. Meantime, the
King will decree such reforms of administra-
ton as may seem to him desirable for promot-
ing the prosperity, happiness and general vel
fare Of the state and its inhabitants. That,
substantially. is his statement of the case, and
we repeat that it is a strong one, to which IL
viii not be easy for his critics to make an eff
fective rejonder at any rate so far as its
legal technicalities are concerned. OF the moral
phases Of It, something more may be said, and,
after all, moral considerations do now and then
count for a good deal, even for more than the
sovereign ruler of an Independent state may be
able 10 Withstand
The King DEGREES certain reforms We might
naturally interpret that fact as a tact admis
sion that there have been abuses needing re-
form. More 10 the point is it to consider the
nature and the probable effect of the reforms
and when we do that it is not easy TO avoid
a certain skepticsm. For example. il is ordered
that no native shall pay less than 6 francs
/ Isl 20) or more than "a francs (S4 S0) taxes 4
year. and that he may pay them in money,
/ goods or labor That seems reasonable. But it
is also ordered that the Kings agents shall have
! the power arbitrarily 10 determine in what form
! the taxes shall be paid, and TO fix the value Of
4 the goods or Of the labor with which they are
/ paid. Thus if o native paid in rubber, the tax
I gatherer might value it at only cent pound,
or If he paid in work his labor might be valued
at only cent day, so that his work for the
whole year would not suffice to pay his tax.
Again, to prevent too much killing and wound
/ ing OF natives it is decreed that firearms shall
be carried only by special permit. and that the
number Of permits for establishments directed
by Europeans must not exceed twenty five
rifles OF newest pattern" But what a little
Joker" may be in those last four wordsl There
is apparently TO restriction upon the use of
rifles which are not Of the very latest pattern
or of shotguns, pistols and what not. Once
cannot be compelled 10 sign a contract for
more than two years OF ordinary work" Can
q child Of FIVE or six. then, be compelled TO sign
a contract for two years of rubber gathering?
Now, II may he that the King in issuing this
decree. has thought OF any such abuses of
these and other prescriptions in ii, but that his
intention is entirely benevolent and philan-
thropc. Yet ii is obvious that various parts
OF the decree are susceptible of gross and in
human peryersion. and some OF them are so
ingeniousiy framed 10 provoke n suspicion
that they may have been so intended Ger
iainiy. when we consider the danger there al.
Ways Is OF abuse of power by men in absolute
authority over helpless interiors in "A remote
land. IL would seem 10 be erninently desira bic
for the Congo code 20 be freed from any clauses
or doubtful meaning and from any which are
capable Of being construed and applied as "a
work hardship and oppression 10 the natives
The world is ready enough 10 concede the indie
pendelce oT ue Congo and the autocracy of Its
sovereign, Tor will &c grudge him a handsome
pecuniaTy return for the time and treasure he
has devoted TO that interesting enterprise But