The Washington herald., 1906-12-29
mo AID FOR CONGO
Sympathy TO Follow Action
Taken by England.
DR.. GUINNESS SEES ROOT
State Department Informs British
Official That whatever Is Done to
Better Conditions In Free state
VIII Win American SuppOrt-0uF
Treaty PrecIudes an Interference.

1t became known yesterday that the
State Department has informed the Brit
ish government, through the American
Embassy in London, that any action Eng
land may take directed toward bringing
about an amelioration of conditions in
Congo Free State will have the sympa-
thy and support of the United States.
This seems to be as far as the United
States can go. There are no treaties TO
which the United States is signatory
which would make it possible to COM
municate directly with the government
Of the Congo in protesting against condi-
tons there, unless certain clauses in the
treaty of Brussels, involving slave-trade.
to which the United States is signatOry,
could be construed in such a way as to
give this country a voice in Congo affairs.
This line of action, however does not
seem to be open.
Howard Guinness, head Of the Regions
Beyond Missionary Union, called on Sec
rotary Root yesterday to say that the
United States had a great moral right to
take some direct action, because this gov
eminent was the first to recognize the
flag Of the Congo Free State. The argu-
ment is not responsibility received at the
State Department
Mr. Guinness also asked Mr.. Root II
the great commercial interests recently
acquired in Congo by Americans. includ-
ing Thomas F. Ryan. the Guggenheims,
and others associated with them, would
influence the attitude of the government
here. He was told by Mr.. Root that these
interests would not affect the policy of
the central government.
Annexation Considered.
The matter Of annexation Of the Congo
by Belgium is now before the parliament
at Brussels, and in the result of the de-
bate there may be a solution Of the entire
difficulty. Great Britain VIII be satisfied
If the Belgian government takes over CON
troll Of the Congo, and it seems likely that
this viii be done.
It cannot be learned just what steps
Great Britain has taken toward calling
King LeOpold's attention to its disapproval
Of affairs IN the Congo.
The attitude Of this government was
conveyed in a rather informal way. being
entirely verbal The situation is most del
icate, and II would be difficult to make
any direct address 10 King Leopold. Any
effort by any nation 10 lecture 10 the SOW
ereign Of another on the internal affairs Of
his government is likely TO bring on Sc
rious trouble.
The United States is not in a position to
take direct action. The governments sig
natory 10 the treaty Of Berlin, drawn at
conference in the German capital in the
early SOS. have an active voice I'm the ad-
ministration Of the Congo. and If the
United States takes action il must be
through these governments. This govern
ment sent plenipOtentiaries 10 Berlin to
attend the conference which brought
about the treaty of Berlin, and its ENJOYS
signed the convention. Secretary Of State
Bayard, however, refused to send the
treaty 70 the Senate for ratification, but
instead directed a note 20 the powers
which participated in the conference de
claring that the American ENJOYS signed
without authority.