The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-04-15
KING IS CLOSE.
Leopold Of Belgium Refuses to
Give Information
Regarding the Affairs of the
Congo Free State.
ANNEXATION HELD UP.
Although the Belgian People
HELD UP
Although the Belgian People
Appear to Favor 1t.
Concession to Americans
ShreWd Political Move.

Brussels. April liking Leopold's
return is expected to mark the begin
ming of a new phase in the struggle
between the monarch and parliament
over the question of the annexation OF
the Congo Free State, by Belgium. Inc
king is unalterably opposed to annexa-
ton. His refusal to permit the Congo
administration of which he is the an
solute, untramrneled monarch, to fur-
nish information concerning the Ilnan-
ces of his african state to the parma
mentary commission of the country OF
Wrich he is the constitutional king,
practically checkmates the parliament;
Public opinion in Belgium is dlvldeo
as to the ACCESSIBILITY OF annexlng the
Congo. There is a natural anIpulhy
on the part of many to Belgium EN-
barking upon colonial policy. Ihere
is large body of stockholders IN tne
concessionary companies VINO are cona
tent to receive big dividends ana no
questions asked. The commercial class
generally reaps indirectly large pronts
from the wealth coming out OF tne
Congo and the mass Of the people, aua1z
zled by the prodigality OF. the monar ,IL
his manifold gifts, the magnificent pup
lie structures he is constantly pullo-
ing are Indifferent or on the side OF the
king Nevertheless sentiment IN IaNol
of annexation grows constantly.
In parliament the majority is strong
ly convinced that the destinies OF tne
immense black population OF tne a Mli eoo
African possessions, comprising "vV,vvo
square miles, demand tnat d ELEit ,,1I,1
ministrauion amenable to pupnc oPln
ion and a cabinet responsible 10 pa
lament should be substituted ioi 'ne
irresponsible call OF one man.
whether the stories of atrocltles anu
awful exploitation of the helpless blacks
are exaggerated or not, the exlstence
at various times and places OF the iioes
revolving abuses has been eetapllsneu
- oy1T1n Vn
and the advocates OF anhe $500 tbeir
that it is impossible to prevent tneir
recurrence as long as the. admlnlstIa-
ton and exploitation of this vast IelIf
tory and population are conoucteo pc
cretly with the aid or nan sdNasS
black native levies. But the Belglu!l
parliament can not vote annexation III
the dark and the king refuses the IN
form alton necessary to a compete III
Outstanding of what the state CoI,an
be assuming il it took over the congo
On the face of things the congo az
ministration grows annually deeper IN
debt. There is a chronic denclt: -
has outstanding bonds amounting 70
$50. OOo. 900 not including. the u mil
lion francs loan made by Belgium In
return for which Leopold MADE ms
will in favor of the state. NotWlln-
standing the annual deficit or the al
ministration, untold mffllonS coileIiL lI
of the concessionary companies ar a
of them paid f1ve
times it's capital stock in a single year.
How much the kings revenue realIy
is has already been a matter or specu-
lation. 1t has been estimated from
s6 -c0O. 900 to $12,000,000. He is sup
nosed to get half the profits or the
concessionary companies. 1t is the
relation of the government OF Ine
Congo Free state to the companies
and the kings domaine prive5" their
financial relation especially, wh1cn the
Belgium parliament seeks in vain: In
the opinion of the best judges of the
Leopold can continue to de-
far parliamentary action and prevent
as long as there is no out
side interference. If an internatlon nal
actually threatened with
the possibility, if not pro baplhty'. .hat
It would revoke the trusteeship given
him by the powers at Berlin in 1852
the general belief Is he would hastily
yield and accept annexation.
Above all, the king seems appre-
hensiye of English Intervention in
favor of a conference The Engl1sh
interest is both sentimental and eco
nomic Stories of atrocities rivalling
in brutality the tales of the Portu-
attracted the attention of humanity to
the Congo basin. have aroused public
but ever since the tariff
was imposed in 1898 there has been a
deep resentment in England because
English goods are practically barred
from the Congo.
The other country most feared by
Leopold is the United states and he
has made an especial effort to dis
associate America from England in
any step the latter may contemplate.
This is universally accepted here as
the secret of the immense concessions
made by the king to an American syn
dictate It is considered a shrewd |
political move not only for the pur-
pose of creating an American inter |
est in the event of foreign .complica- |
tons. but also for the purpose of en- |
barrassing the Belgian parliament |
should it desire (assuming annexa- |
ton accomplished) to modify or an
nul the concessions in which the SOW |
areign is interested.
Irrespective of the kings political |
moves it is unquestionably true that |
he greatly admires America and is |
fond CT Americans and wants to get |
American energy enlisted in the de- |
of the Congo. While on |
he Rivera this winter he showed a |
marked preference for the society of |
Americans and told many of them |