The Washington herald., 1906-12-11

The President is satisfied that the time
has come to act in reference to the hor-
rors Of the slave traffic on the Congo.
In compliance with this view Senator
Lodge yesterday introduced in the Sen
ate a resolution declaring the support Of
the Senate. and advising the President
to take steps TO secure an international
inquiry into the facts. The text of the
resolution IS as follows:
Resolved, That. in the opinion of the
Senate of the United States. the time has
come when the affairs of the Congo Free
State should be made the subject Of in
ternationaI inquiry. and the Senate re-
spectfully advises the President that in
any steps he may deem it wise TO take
in cooperation with or I'm aid Of any Of
the powers signatOry to the treaty of
Berlin which shall seek to ameliorate
the conditions of the Congo Free State,
and redress any evils now existent there,
he will receive its cordial support"
Senator Lodge submitted his resolution
without comment, except TO make a re-
quest that it be referred to the Commit
tee on Foreign Relations. That COM
mlttee will meet tomorrow, and Mr..
Lodge hopes the committee will take it
up for consideration at once.
international Cooperation.
The United States was not a signatory
to the treaty of Berlin. and 1t is there
fore not deemed best for this country to
take the initiative, although It might do
so under the Brussels convention for the
suppression Of the slave traffic. The
Lodge resolution will stimulate interest
IN the subject in Europe by evidencing
the worldwide horror aroused. England
is believed to be upon the point Of NOV
ing in the matter of an international in
quiry, and the knowledge that the Amer
lean Congress IS considering the subject,
it is believed. will strengthen the hands
Of those who are working 10 induce the
British government TO act.
The attitude Of the Democrats upon the
resolution, which looks 10 the co-opera-
ton Of the United States with European
powers IN bringing about an amelioTation
Of conditions in the Congo has not been
disclosed. In the matter of the AlgeciTas
convention on Morocco. they have insisted
that before II shall be ratified a resolu-
tion shall be adopted declaring that the
United States has no desire to interfere
In European politics.
Representatives Of the Congo Reform
Association announce that at an inter
view on Thursday last Secretary Root
gave them definite assurance that the ad-
ministration is in hearty sympathy with
the movement now taking place among
the powers.
While the interest Of Mr.. Lodge and
other public men has been aroused over
the Congo situation for a long time, the
acute cause Of the Massachusetts Sena-
tors action was an appea. made to him
and mis- colleague, Senator Crane. last
Friday by a delegation from Massachu-
sets.
Numerous Appeals Made.
For a long time the President and the
State Department have been receiving
communications from organizations and
individuals in regard to alleged atroci-
ties in the Congo region These commu-
nlcauons present a sensational indictment
against the Belgian management and are
full Of stories Of horrible treatment of
the natives. No official report on c0ndi-
tions in the Congo State has been re-
ceiFed Dy tGlS government, Dul tNe Slale
Department has instructed Clarence r
SIocum, consul general to the Congo
State, 10 begin an investigation on his
arrival at his post Bona, the capital
AIr. Sl0cum arrived in the Congo State
IN October. and is now supposed TO be en-
gagged in carrying out his instructions.
James Gustavus Whiteiey, of Balti-
more, consul general Of the Congo Free
State, who Is in Washington, said last
night. There is no Congo lobby. 1 am
the only representative OF the Congo Free
State in America. Col. Kowalsl<y was al
one time employed as attorney for King
Leopold. He Is no longer In the employ
/ of the King. and has no successor.
/ Baron Moncheur, the Belgian Minister
denied any knowledge OF a Congo lobby
/ in Washington. or elsewhere.