The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-02-26
PLEAD FOR END OF
CONGO ATROCITIES.
MINNEAPOLIS MINISTERS ASK
PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT TO ACT.
Recital Of Brutalities Practiced by
King Leopold's Men, Pals Ministers
and Telegraphic Appeal Is Sent
scof at Secretary Roots Statement
that United States Cannot Act.

B a Geographic appeal was made to-
day by the Ministers Alliance of Min
neapolis to President Theodore Roose-
yelt and all senators and congressman
from Minnesota, to lend their aid to a
movement for the reform of the fearful
conditions G now existing in the Congo
Free State. according to the descrip-
tions given by Mrs. J. H. Harris, a
missionary, who addressed the minis
ters at the Y. w. G. A. building this
morning. The message takes Secretary
Elihu Root to task for his public state
5ment that this country has no right to
take q hand in the reform.
The action Of the ministers was on
motion of Rev. L. A. Crandall.
IT move" said Mr.. Crandall, "that
the chairman and secretary of this or
ganization be instructed to forward a
telegram to the president and all Min
nesota members Of the United States
senate and congress, protesting against
the position Secretary Root has taken
in asserting that this country cannot
interfere 9:a to better the most, lame9table
conditions now existing in the Congo
Free State; and that the president, our
senators and representatives, be urged
to lend their efforts that the United
States may take the initiative step Of
the nations to demand reform in the
abuses now tolerated under the sane
ton of King Leopold among the dark
people of the dark continent.
Vote Is Unanimous. E,
The motion was adopted with a
unanimous vote after it had been
amended naming Mr.. Crandall as one
of a committee with the chairman and
secretary to draft the telegram to be
sent to Washington. \ !
!" I think in :, Is a good thing for us
ta nfT qP se6ee a said a hey
those who wished reform on the sub.
iect Of the army canteen And thru
appeal to President Roosevelt is the
only way to get to him. Secretary Root
is man who has proved himself to
have absolutely no heart for humanity Is
Mrs. Harris, in addressing the pas.
tors, replied with some warmth to the
statement Of Secretary Root that this
country has neither the opportunity MOI
State, on the ground that the United
States has no treaty right Of inter
vention. 81 80 - = a.: + ts
p sThe satrocious rnisgovernment Of the
Congo Free State is the great crime OF
all the ages, - said Mrs. Harris; sis
an affront to humanity, disgrace tc
Christianity; and in spite Of what Sec
rotary Root has to say, the United
States is largely responsible for the
present rule Of King Leopold.
United States Had Part. 49,.
In 1878 the international African
association was organized to supervise
| the Congo district, and King LEOPOLD
was elected it's president. Leopold the1
later asked The United States to recog
| nize his flag in the Congo, and this TIL
United States did; thus virtually giving
first national recognition to Leopold {
rule. In 1885 the Congo treaty Of Der
lin was signed. Fourteen powers wer,
represented in the treaty, thirteen Eu
ropean and the fourteenth was tn,
United States The United States dele
gates aided in the drafting of tn,
it is that the United States had prom
inent part in installing King Leopold
in the Congo Free, State. And for thi
reason Secretary Roots position i
most iinglorious. 8" I cannot under
Mrs. Harris then went on to tell O.
/ some Of the terrible things practice,
1 by the rubber companies which, thr1
1 their sentries, domineer the Congo witt
inhuman ferocity. She told how, il
past days, the sentries would trave
into the forests, kill game and, on re
turning, tell the rubber company off
Gals they had raided a. village. Thei
j falsehoods were. discovered, and nov
must return to the rubber company off
cials the hand Of some native. Ser
tries bring in these hands by the basket
| full. she asserted r. E'"s.tI h. Il, III