The Washington herald., 1906-12-12
RELIEF SOUGHT FOR CONGO
Lodge Resolution to Be Favorably
Considered To-day.
Similar Resolution Passed by the
Senate Two Years Ago-Excite-
ment in Europe over Subject.

The Lodge resolution proposing an iu-
ternationai movement fOr the relief Of the
people Of the Congo will be taken up in the
Foreign Relations Committee to-day. and
with every prospect OF favorable action
Senator Morgan. it appears. introduced a
similar resolution two years ago, and #
was adopted by the Senate. This resolu-
ton declared 10 the President the sense
Of the Senate. that the conditions IN the
Congo were intolerable, and urging him
20 take steps 10 bring the matter 10 the
attention Of the sIgnatory powers 70 the
treaty OF Brussels. The resolution was
referred in April. 1894. In Foreign Rela-
lions 70 subcommittee consisting Of
Senators Morgan and spooner, TO report
such measures as might be deemed advis-
able for the relief Of American citizens
and natives on the Congo. For some rea-
son no action was ever had further than
this. and no report was made by the sub
committee. Senator Morgan yesterday
assured Senator Lodge that he should
support his resolution.
There is little doubt that the resolution
viii receive favorable action. Although
the President and the State Department
officials are in thorough sympathy with
the movement 1t IS recognized that some
foreign government must take the fuitia-
tive The Senate resolution. however. II
passed, will have a great moral influence
because II viii be the first concrete ac-
tion by any important national lawmak-
ing body on the subject.
The interview with King Leopold. ca
bled from Brussels, was read with the
greatest interest in administration circles
in Washington, and especially by the
members Of the Foreign Relations Com
mittee. II IS not believed the denials
made by the Belgian monarch will have
the effect OF delaying action on the
Lodge resolution
The Belgian Minister, Baron Moncheur,
regards the interview as a complete refu-
tation Of the charges Of maIadminlstra-
tion in the Congo.
Charges that a lobby has been main
tanned at Washington In the interest Of
King Leopold are vigorously denied at the
legation.
Fears the American Peril.
Berlin. Dec. 1.-THE interview Of
King Leopold, given TO the American
newspaper representatives, in which he
defended himself from the charges Of
cruelty in connection with the manage
ment OF affairs in the Congo, is regard
ed by the German press as a rev phase
OF the American peril"
European monarchs, discredited in
the Old World, are now seeking to re-
habilitate themselves by appealing 10
the American press, which is thus be-
coming the supreme court or justice OF
the world. This is the Interpretation
placed upon the Kings action in giving
his interview TO American newspapers
German newspapers generally, COM
ment on this fact, and declare Europe
Will not tolerate the innovation and
viii not accept American public opin-
ion as judicial authority.
German opinion is divided as TO Leo
pold's explanation of Congo affairs
The majority of the papers regard it as
ineonclusive.
Sensation in France.
Paris, Dec. 1.-THE interview Of King
Leopold has created a great sensation
throughout France. It was cabled from
New York to Paris, and all the papers
made a big display of IT, On receiving
the text of the interview the French
papers organized a special service 20 rush
II to clients throughout France. Leading
morning Journals Of Paris to-day repro
duce long extracts from the statement
The comment in the headlines emphasizes
the Importance of the old Kings declara-
tions.
Sentiment I'm England.
London, Dec. 11.-British newspapers
generally still maintain their anti-Congo
attitude despite the denials made by
King Leopold of Belgium of the
charges Of cruelty in treatment accorded
natives.
1t has been a long time since Great
Britain has had a greater sensation than
that produced by this statement from the
aged ruler. Practically every important
newspaper in the three kingdoms. from
the London Times down. print the state
ment VeTbatum