The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-12-26
APPEAL TO ROUT.
Prominent Citizens Ask Him to inter-
fere in the Congo Situation.

New York. Dec. ga letter signed
by j. Pierpont Morgan, DR.. Lyman
4 Abbott and other prominent citizens
i of New York. was addressed to Sec
rotary of State Elihu Root today d.
recttng his attention to conditions in
! the Congo Free State. where, it is as
| serted. fragrant inhumanity exists. .
and urging him on behalf of the
American people to use the "morai
| support of the United States govern
ment to correct the abuses the Congo
natives are alleged to be suffering
/ from.
The communication is as follows:
lover a year has passed since the
report 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 natural desire to give all pos
| commissioners felt constrained to re-
port the existence of measures and
practices of fragrant inhumanity-
Among these measures and prac-
| tees are the following:
''First-The exaction of a labor tax
so oppressive that many. natives on
whom it falls have little il any free
dom.
Second Appropriation Of land to
such an extent that the natives are
practically prisoners within their own
territory.
"Third-the employment under au-
thority of the government as sentries
of cruel british blacks. chosen from
hostile tribes who murder, pillage and
rape the people for whose protection
the government is avowedly establish
ed.
'Fourth-The abuse of the natives
by White Representative OF oHlclaliy
recognized companies
'.Fifth-The binding of little chill
dren to years of labor. at uncertain
wages by contracts they do not IN
derstand, and even more serious mai
treatment of children supposedly I'M
der the imme diate care of the govern
"sixth-Great injustice in the ad
rrinistration of the courts, so that the
natives dread the name of Bona, the
place where the judicial system is cen
= ::severth-The sending out of punitive
expeditions, not for the purpose OF t es
purpose Of terrifying the natives into pay
ing a tax which. as administered, even
the commissioners regard as lnhuihaA'
Promise to Support Action
'It is to be remembered that these are
not charges brought against the Congo
government, but findings of the comnisS
the government to Investigate and report
on the facts. Acting upon these nnqlnIgs
a second commission, also appointed py
the king has recommended measures of
reform No steps have beer taken to
adopt them There is no evidence that
seriously to remedy these evils Inc pow
ers which created the Congo government
have clearly right to call that govern,
ment to account 1nasmuch as the Onlteq
to the stablishment of the Congo govern,
ment 1t is justified in giving its moral
support to any undertaking to secure con-
difions in the Congo that will not disgrace
civilization
I'VE wish to assure you that for any
measure you may adopt in order to give
the powers such moral support OF the
United States you will have our earnest
and urgent approval -
The letters IS signed by Rev; Messrs-
Lyman Abbott. Henry Mottet Wflford l.
Robbins. George William Knox, Charles
II ParlShurst, John P. Peters, William
R. Richards. Arson p. a tterbury, Percy
elm. William H Douglas. Charles A.
schieren, Spencer Trask George Haven
putnam Everett P. Wheeler, Robert G.
Ogden J. Pierpont Morgan, D. Willis
James, r. Fulton Cutting. J. Cleveland
Cadv and w. ]. HavemeYer.