Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-12-26
Oppressive Labor Tax Reduces Natives to
State Almost Equal to Slavery.
PEOPLE ARE PRACTICALLY PRISONERS
British Blacks from Hostile Tribes Are
Employed by Officials as Guards.
UNITED STATES URGED TO TAKE ACTION
Country Gave Formation of Congo
Governments It's Moral support and
IN Justified IN Assisting in
Securing Reforms.

NEW YORK, Dec. 26.-A letter signed
by ]. Pierpont Morgan. DIR. Lyman Abbott
and other prominent citizens of New York
was addressed to Secretary OF State Elihu
Root today directing b. attention to con-
diuons in the Congo 1sstate, where, it
is asserted, "fiagrant " = gnity exists"
and urging him on behah u 'Ece American
people to use the moral y ~ Of the
United States government t. Sysct the
abuses the Congo natives are a n. to be
suffering from. 2 n
The communication Is as follows: <>%<
'Over a year has passed since the r>'I<
of the commissioners chosen by the ch
executive and virtual owner OF the Congt
20 investigate conditions in that state was
published. In spite Of their natural desire
TO give all possible credit to their SOW
ereign, the commissioners felt constrained
to report the existence of measures and
practices Of hagrant inhumanity. Among
these measures and practices are the fol-
lowing;
l. The exaction OF a labor tax so OPP
pressive that many natives on whom 1t
falls have little II any freedom.
2. Appropriation of land to such an eX-
tent that the natives are practically pris-
onerB within their own territory.
8. The employment under authority OF
the government as sentries Of cruel, brut-
ism DlaCkSt chosen from hOStlle trlDeBB VINO
murder, pillage and rape the people for
whose protection the government is
RvOwedly established.
T. The abuse Of the natives by white
representatives of oficially recognized
Fifth-The binding of little child.en to
years OF labor at uncertain wages by con-
tracts they do not understand. ana even
more serious maltreatment Of children sup
posedly under the immediate care of the
slxth-Great injustice in the administra-
ton Of the courts, so that the natives dread
judicial system is centralized.
Seventh-The sending out Of punitive ex-
Ing peace and order, but for the purpose OF
. terrifying the natives into paying a tax,
which, as administered. even the commits
Sioners regard as inhuman.
United states should Act.
'Tt is to be remembered chat these are not
charges brought against the Congo govern
ment, but findings Of the commission which
was appointed by the chief executive Of the
government to Investigate and report on the
facts Acting upon these findings a second
commission, also appointed by the king, has
recommended measures OF reform. No steps
have been taken to adopt them. There is
no evidence that the Congo government is
undertaking seriously to remedy these
evils. The powers which created the Congo
government have clearly a right to cal
that government to account. Inasmuch as
the United States gave its moral support t
the establishment OF the Congo govern
ment, 1t is justified in giving its moral sup
port to any undertaking to secure condl
tions in the Congo that will not disgIact
civilization. We wish TO assure you tha
for any measure you may adopt in de-
TO give the powers such moral support o.
the United States you will have our earn
est and urgent approval"
The letter is signed by Rev. Messrs. Ly
man Abbott Henry Mottet, wilford L. Rob
bins, George William Knox Charles H
Parkhurst, John p Peters. William r
Richards. Anson p. Atterbury, Percy S
Grant and Messrs. william Jay Schienelin
William H. Douglas, Charles A. Schieren
Spencer Trask. George Haven Putnam, Ev
erett p. Wheeler. Robert c. ogden ]. Pier
pont Morgan. d. Willis James, r. Fulto
Cutting. J. Cleveland Cady and W. ]. Have
meyer.