Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-03-01
ATROCITIES ON The CONGO
Omaha Audience Listens to Recital of the
0ruelties Now Praotioed.
KING LtoPoLD's AWFUL SLAVE TRADE
Millions of Blacks Mutilsted or MUIR
dered that the Rubber Monopoly
of the Monarch Mny Thrive
and Prosper.

Appalling almost beyond the power of
words to express were the details narrated
last evening at the First Congregational
church by Rev. II. s. johnson. d. D., of
Boston and Mrs. Harris of the lnterde-
nominational society of London, who held
a mass meeting under the direction of the
Congo Relief society. Dr. Johnson and
Mrs. Harris told OF the atrocities prac-
ticed on the Congo natives under the
knowledge and for the benefit of King
Leopold II of Belgium. AS the result of
the interest aroused by the speakers last
evening those present expressed their sym
pathy with the work being done by the
Congo Relief society by rising.
]. &. Wharton, f. w. Foster and II. s.
Leavitt were appointed a local committee
to draw up a set of resolutions which Will
convey the sentiments of those at the
meeting. Copies of the resolutions will he
sent to the congressman and senators of
this state, to President Roosevelt. Secre-
tary of State Root and congress William
Fleming was appointed as secretary of the
meeting and custodian of the funds given
by those becoming members of the relief
society.
Christian People should Act.
Last evenings meeting was fairly well
attended. Judge Howard Kennedy pre-
sided and introduced Or. Johnson, who
, was the first speaker. d. johnson sum
married. the terrible condition in the Congo
state and the work being done by the
Congo Relief society in arousing public
opinion and getting the nations to act.
Asked In what manner relief could be given
the benghted people. he declared as his
| private opinion that Christian people could
raise such storm of indignation that con-
gress would act in some manner and that
the Christian nations might have a confer
ence, issue a joint note to be followed
! either by the deposition of King Leopold
or the giving of the Congo state as a nation
TO Belgium. The fact that Secretary Root
/ has declared this country can take no
action in the premises as nation should
/ serve as an incentive for action by Chris
I tian people. rather than as q deterrent
! the speaker said.
Enormity of the slavery.
King Leopold has embezzled the aO,OCt
square miles OF land in the Congo state
! and he taxes each man $50 days Of labor
! each year for his own sclishness," said
| Dr. Johnson. HE gives the natives tn,
| equivalent of cents for each two week,
/ of work. He guards the millions of slaves
with 10000 cannibals, who are armed witt
|
lation is commonly practiced. In one dis
trict alone over 5000 right hands were cu
off His sentries pillage and burn village;
without pity. This king has devised thC
most terrible scheme of intimidation III,
/ world has ever seen. Not only is I-eopol,
| on judgment before God, but the Christian
people of the world are on Judgment to Sc,
that these terrible inhumanities ar,
stopped
| Tasks and Atrocities.
o.. Mrs. Harris who has worked in tn
Congo state for seven years under tn
auspices of London Missionary society
told of her own experiences among the mil
lions OF people i'm the Congo country. Sh
told of the gathering OF rubber FOR Leo
polds agents; of how the natives are sen
out into the forests with baskets in whicl
they must gather rubber and return L
the factories, which are guarded by sen
tries. and of the barbarous cruelty praC
ticed on those who fail to perform a re
quired amount of work.
Speaking of the punishment inflicted Mrs
Harris said: ITO punish the husbands
their wives and children are eithe
thrashed or killed before their eyes Th
feet of women are cut off to secure tn
anklets they wear. Little children ar
dashed against posts and men are lashc
to DEATH
Millions Have Been Killed.
Ii was stated that one section was dc
pOpulated from 5000 TO ten natives unde
the reign of the king, whom Dr. Johnso
characterized being insane The coun
try now has nearly 100000 and accord
ing to best estimates, nearly l5.0G0OO hav
been killed outright or died from the pun
ishment inflicted by Leopolds agents.
Yesterday afternoon Mrs Harris ad
| dressed tho cluh and unpnthar