Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-04-27
THE CONGO FREE STATE
Consul General Whitley Denies
Rev. Johnson's Statement.
GIVES MISSIONARIES VIEWS
No Cases of Maladministration Known
to Them.
INDIVIDUALS IN THE FIELD
Are the Chief Ones Who Make Mis-
takes-No Truth in Cable Of Re-
lection Of Reforms.
IN THE FIELD

The statement made by Rev. II. s. john
son of the Congo Reform Association, alleg-
Ing that Belgian officials are trying to veil
the eyes of the public as regards the actual
conditions in the Congo. has aroused Mr..
James Gustavus Whiteley, consul general
OF the Congo Independent state.
I'm regard to the report of the commits
sion Of inquiry" Mr.. Whiteley states: II
observe that Mr.. Johnson at one time calls
tho Congo Reform Association the con-
demnation Of the king. and at another time
calls 1t 'whitewash.' 1t cannot possibly be
both, and as a matter Of fact, 1t is neither.
1t is straightforward statement which
frankly criticises such faults as exist, and
finds that, although there are defects such
as are Incident to every attempt at colonial
government, nevertheless the Congo Free
State has achieved a wonderful work for
civilization in the short space of twenty
years.
"If Mr.. Johnson will not accept the ver-
dict of these impartial commissioners, per-
haps he will heed the opinions of Congo
missionaries, the large majority of whom.
1t appears, do not share MIR. Johnson
views.
Mr. Willman's Statement.
The following is a letter from w. Will
man, a Baptist missionary, which shows
that in his part of the country everything
is going on well. 1t Is addressed to the
governor of the Congo Free State, at Bona.
and 1t says. in part
AT this time, when many and we'll
attested reports of oppression and cruelty
In certain districts of this vast country are
disturbing and shocking the feelings of
Erglishmen and causing English journals
to deprecate the laborS and the industry or
the officials of this state, it is a pleasure
and an honor to be able to say that in this
part of the Province Orientale, that Is, IN
the country lying between Isanghi and
Stanleyvile. with which we are and have
been for eight years very intimately ac-
QCainted, we have never seen or known
any single case Of grave INSTRUMENTATION
or cruelty.
I've have Just completed our annual
inspection of the native schools under our
direction In over seventy villages, in which
some 1900 children are being taught 70
read and write. and we have found In all
these places uniform tranqulnty ana coin-
pGrativ contentment.
Mr.. Samuel P. Werner.
Mr. Samuel Phillips Werner, who was
colleague of Mr.. Morrison in the Congo
mission of the Southern Presbyterian
Church. and who worked with Mr.. Nor
rison in the very district from which
number of complaints have been made
says:
the fact that they do not arise from any
antagonistic policy between the govern
ments represented or from any mischievous
attitude on the part Of the theoretical pro-
gram of the government. they come prin.
cipally from weaknesses and mistakes OF
individuals on the field, from the alienation
in nationality and language between the
contiguous settlers and from the petty, ana
often pusillanimous quarrels and off1clous-
ness for which both parties are to blame.
On the whole sensible men may and do
live together in peace and soberness, and
wrongs are righted, grievances redressed,
and Just privileges accorded, When the
proper means are used and the proper diplo-
matte usages observed. Certain 1t is that
the general effect of the government has
been progressive and beneficial. There are
some fragrant abuses. but these are being
corrected as rapidly as the conditions per-
NIT, and 1t is fact that many abuses nave
been corrected when timely attention has
been called to them
Others Might Be Quoted.
at can quote Others" continued Mr..
whitley, "but will call your attention to
the statement signed by the principals of
the Catholic missionaries In the Congo-a
letter which expresses the sentiment OF
about 400 Catholic missionaries, constituting
approximately two-thirds of all the mission
aries In the Congo.
THE letter states that the Catnollc mis-
sionaries have never gainsaid that in Con-
goland-as in all new colonies-crueltles
have been practiced in isolated instances.
They have not had to denounce such cruel
ties however, because-to the knowledge of
all-the government of the Free State has
always been prompt to redress abuses, in
order to prevent their recurrence.
1.-The letter was addressed to the Catholic
Herald OF London, and signed by the prin-
cipals of the various orders. Scheut Fathers
Redemptorist Fathers, Order of Premontre.
Jesuit Fathers, White Fathers of Africa,
Trappist Fathers, Priests of the Sacred
Heart etc, whose missionaries are scat
tered throughout the Congo Free State.
I'm conclusion, let me deny that there
is any truth in the cable which, it is said
has been sent Ger here by a liverpool
agent of the Congo Reform Association to
the effect that the king has rejected the
proposed reforms. I am informed that the
king has not rejected the reforms. and
that on the contrary. the government is
actively occupied in studying the practi-
cal measures to be taken in consequence of
the recommendations of the two commits
sions."