The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-12-24
INQUIRY In CONGO
y LEAPS E INTO T FAVOR AZ
Senate Expected ~ Pass Lodge
;S Resolution Turning Search
1 s light on Cruelties,,
BY w. w. Jermane. = Colorado 'BuiIafng,z


0y w. w. JeFNGncs SOIOFduO DuiIut1Sy
Washington, 2. c..
Washington, Dec. 24.-Early in the
present session Senator Lodge introduced
resolution to, the effect that congress
would support appropriate action taken
by the administration looking to an
investigation of alleged atrocities in
the Congo country, if the administra-
ton thought it wise to take such steps
in cooperation with other countries.
That resolution was crowded aside in
the committee on foreign relations be-
cause the Algeeiras ,treaty$swas to%ttte
fore; but at the last meeting of that
Committee it was considered, but IFS
action was taken because quorum
was not present. Senators Lodge, Spoo-
ner, Cullom, Foraker. and Morgan were
favorable to it, and the Indications are
that both republicans and democrats
will support it when it gets into the
senate. Morgan is the ranking demo-
crat on the committee, and it is be-
lieved will hold the democrats in line
President Roosevelt, however, has not
waited for an Endorsement from con-
gress, but has indicated to the British
government that the administration
will cooperate with the British govern
ment in movement toward an investi-
cation. This fact was disclosed by the
British minister for foreign affairs in
a statement to parliament to the effect
that, should Great Britain take on her
self the responsibility for making an
investigation, she would have the moral
support OF the United States. -
American Consul There. >.
Under the treaty Of Berlin leopold,
KING. OF Belgium, was made sovereign
OF the Congo country, but the powers
slgnatory to that treaty maintain q
sort of god-fatherly attitude toward
that country, and it is in this capacity
that 1t is proposed to step in and in
vestigate conditions. Great Britain was
undoubtedly fearful that Germany
might object to an investigation, and
because Of Germany's probable objec-
lions, it is believed that the British
on the proposition and secured Presi.
dent Roosevelt s assurances of moral
support. .~...
Recently an American consul general
was appointed to serve in the Congo
country, and he reached his post in Oc-
tober., It cannot be said that any in
structions have been sent him to make
an investigation of alleged atrocities,
but it believed here that "a report
from him will be received. here in "a
short time, and that this report will
show whether an investigation is ad-
visable.
The foregoing is statement of the
congressional and government end Of
the proceedings so far.
Leopold Has Lobby. r.
1t is charged that Leopold, or the Bel
gian government, is paying out money
to support lobby in this country the
object OF whose efforts is to prevent
any action by the United States. This
lobby appears to be headed by one Ko-
know much. One report is that he was
formerly lawyer in San Francisco.
With the money supplied by Leopold
he has bought up various and sundry
persons of more or less weight, to keep
him posted on developments in congress.
He is alleged tohave agreed to pay
Garrett, senate messenger detailed',to
duty in Senator -Morgan's committee
room, to look after the senate end, The
spubllcatlon ct the corresponding Ger. that
passed between Garrett ,and, .KoWalsky
in the Hearst papers resulted Is CAT
:rett's being dismissed by Senator :Mors
gan. When he did SO Morgan issued
statement to the effect that Garrett
was not his confidential secretary-in
fact, he does not employ confidential
secretary, but handles all that class Of
correspondence himself; writing it By
h ha1n much '! to the regret Of the recipi
.Kowalsky is also said to have paid a
high-priced journalist $1,000 to intro
duce him to the president. ri The presi-
dent was apparently n~informed., about
Kowalsky, as he made it a condition
precedent to. receiving him, that he
would not talk Congo affairs, and the
interview was arranged on that basis
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