The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-12-26
SECRET ETARY ROOT
ASKED To SUPPORT
CONGO REFORMS

New York. Dec. GA letter signed 5y
j. Pierpont Morgan. DIR. Lyman Abbott
and other prominent citizens OF this city
was addressed to Secretary of state Elihu
Root yesterday directing his attention TO
conditions in the Congo Free state Cwhere
II is asserted fiagrant inhumanity exist)
and urging him on behalf of the Ameri-
can people 10 use "the moral support" of
the United states government 10 correct
the abuses. The commune alton reads:
over a year has passed since the e.
port OF the commissioners chosen by the
chief executive and virtual owner OF the
Congo to investigate conditions in that
state was published. In spite OF their nat
ural desire TO give all possible credit 70
their sovereigns. the comm ssloners felt
constrained TO report the existence Of
measures and practices OF nagrant In
humanity. Among these measures and
practices are the following:
"FirSt-The exaction of a labor tax 50
oppressive that many natives on whom Il
falls have little n any. freedom
Second-Appropriatio OF land TO such
an extent that the natives are practically
prisoners within their own territory
'Third-The employment under the au-
thority OF the government ns sentrics Of
cruel, british blacks, chosen from hostile
tribes. who murder. pillago and rape the
people for whose protection the govern
ment is avowedly established.
"Fourth-The abuse of the natives by
white representatives of officially recos
nized companies.
"FHfth-The binding of little children TO
years Of labor at uncertain wages by con-
tracts they do not understand, and, even
more serious. the brutal treatment of
children supposedly under tho immediate
care OF the government.
"SiXth-Great injustice I'm the admins
tration OF the courts so that the natives
dread the name OF Bomba. as the place
where the judicial system il centralized
"Seventh--The sending out OF punitive
expeditions, not for the purpose OF eStab-
fishing peace and order. but for the pur-
pose OF terrifying these natives into pay
ing tax which as administered even the
regard as inhuman.
1T is to be remembered that these are
not charges brought against the Conga
government. but findings OF the commits
sion appointed by the chief executive Of
the government 10 investigate and report
on the facts Acting upon these findings, a
second commission. also appointed by the
king, has recommended measures OF re-
form. No steps have been taken TO adopt
them. There is no evidence that the Congo
government has undertaken seriously to
these evils The powers which
ly a right 10 call that government TO ac-
count
"Inasmuch as the United States gave its
moral support to the establishment OF the
Congo government, II Is justified I'm Civ
Ing It's moral support TO any undertaking
to secure conditions from the Congo that
will not disgrace civilization. We wish TO
assure you that for any measure you may
adopt in order 10 give the powers such
moral support OF the United States you
will have our earnest and urgent ap-
proval"
The .letter Is signed: The Rev. Drs. Ly
man Abbott, Henry Mottet Wilford l..
Robbins. George William Knox. Charles
III. Parkhurst. John T. Peters. William r.
Anson +. Atterbury. the Rev.
Percy s. Grant. and Messrs William JAY
William II. Douglas Charles
A. Schieren. Spencer Trask. George Ha-
ven Putnam, Everett p. Wheeler. Robert
c. Ogden, j. Pierpont Morgan. Willis
James. II. Fulton Cutting. j. Cleveland
Cady and w. j. Havemeyer.