The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1906-12-26
WANT THE us. TO
END CONGO ABUSE
PROMINENT MEN CALL ATTEN'
TlON TO AWFUL CONDITIONS
IN DARKEST AFRICA.
FLAG ANT INHUMANITY
Exists in King Leopold's Royal Dol
main According to His Own Sub
lects, Claim J. p. Morgan and
Others in Open Letter.


New York, Dec. 25.--A letter sign
ed by J Pierpont Morgan, DR., Lyman
Abbott and other prominent citizens
of New York, was addressed to Sec
-etary of state Elihu Root today di
recting attention the coaditicns in
the Congo Free State, where It Is
asserted fragrant inhumanity exists "
and urging him to use the national
support Of the United States 10 cor
rect the abuses The communication
follows:
over a year has passed since the
report of the commissioners chosen
by he chief executive and virtual
wver of the Congo, to investigate
the condition in the state was polish.
ed. In spite Of their nataural desire
10 give all poss bic credit TO their
sovereign, the commissioners felt con
rained to report the practice of flag
rant inhumanity. Among those are
the following:
tD THE exaction Of labor tax
so oppressive that many natives o.
whom II falls have little if any, free,
dom
(2) The appropriation OF land to
such extent that the natives are prac-
ically pri. oners within their own ter
ritort.
90 "The ensplayml Mt under au-
ia rity of the government as septries
Of cruel british blacks, chosen from
hostile tribes, who murder. pillage,
and rapc the people for whose protec-
ion tbA government was avowedy
established
(4l The abuse Of native by white
representatives of the officially recog-
nt1ea companies
t5l The binding # title children
to year. Of labor at uncertain wages
by contracts they do not understand
and even more serious, the mal-treat
mont Of the children supposedly III
der the immediate care of the govern
ment
co "Grea injustice in the admin
istration Of the courts so that the
native dread the name of Bona, the
place where the judicial system was
tO Punitive expedit 'ons, not for
the purpose Of establishing peace and
order BIT terrifying the natives into
having a tax, which as administered
even the commissioners regard as in.
human.
Urge Some Action
III is TO be remembered that these
are not charges brought against the
Congo government. but the findings
)f the commiss on appointed by the
chief executive Of the government. |
Acting upon the findings, a second
rommis ion. also appointed by the
King, recommended measures Of re
form. No steps have been taken 20
adopt them. There is no evidence
that the Congo government is under.
taking to remedy the evils. The pow
PRS which created the Co.'s 20 govern.
ncnt clearly have The right 20 call
that government to account lnas.
much as tho United States gave moral
suppc't 10 the establishment OF the
Congo government il i9 justified IN
giving moral support TO e~y undcrtall.
ng TO secure conditions that will ro'
disgrace civilization We wish 20 as,
sure you that for any measure y1r
may ADOPT you wifi have our earnest
iDpr val"
The letter was signed by Reys. Ly-
man Abbott, Henry Mottel Wilford l.
Robbins George William Kn-x Char.
cs - Parkhurt 1ohn II Peters. Wi-I
lam r. r chards Anson p. After
.urg. p n Grant and Mes rs william
J Sraiefcli-s. William II. Douglcss.
Charles 4. SCherln Spencer Trasll.
George Haven Putnam. Evcret. p.
Wheeler Robert c. Ogden. J Pier
'ont Morgan, u. Willis James. r. Full
uu Cutting. J. Cleveland Cady and
" J. Iayomeyer.
SHOT WIFE; KILLED HIMSELF.