Los Angeles herald., 1907-07-29
OFFICER TELLS
OF CONGO HORRORS
SAYS NATIVES WERE TORTURED
BY LEoPoLD's SOLDIERS
Former Official in Free State Exposes
Atrocities Sanctioned by Belgian
commandments His Pro-
tests Were Not Needed
BY Associated Press.

BY Associated Press.
BRUSSELS, July 2S. Major Lemair
is continuing the publication of his recol-
lections of the Congo independent state.
The major served eighteen years in the
Congo in command of native troops. Upon
his return to Belgium he was notified that
he would be prosecuted for cruelty toward
the men under him, and he retaliated by
beginning tho publication of a sensa-
tional exposure of the revolving conditions
prevailing in the native army.
Aside from painting a black picture of
the conditions in the Congo, the memoirs
of the major reveal that the scientific eX-
petition led by him into the Bairel-Ghaza
region, on the northern frontier, In 1904,
was an expedition for conquest in dis
guise. The major declares that King Leo
pold gave him personal instructions to
vanquish the Anglo-Egyptian forces COM
ing down from Soudan at any cost. II
cannot be held accountable for these acts, -
the major writes. II am only responsible
for the complete execution of the instruc-
tions.'
Had Soldiers FIogged
Major Lemair admits that on several
occasions, during this expedition, which
lasted for three years and two months, he
caused native soldiers, and even their
wives, to be fiogged. He claims that
there was no way other than fiogging to
preserve the discipline indispensable to
the security and success of an expedi-
ton among people accustomed to kill, raid
and capture, and to ill-treat women. In
every instance of fogging, however, he
faithfully reported the facts and never
received a word of censue. On the con-
trary, he was accorded nothing but praise
| for his conduct of this expedition, and he
was even decorated by King Leopold
No charges were preferred against the
major until the administration decided he
had been too insistent in calling attention
Ito the frightful and unchecked abuses ir
the Congo. .-
A perusal of NJ. Lemair's recital carries
the conviction that he is devoted to the
cause Of the blacks and determined to put
an end to the existing atrocities and dis
| graceful administration During his
eighteen years service he crossed Africa
twice without firing cartridge at a ma
tive.
When young man Major Lemair be-
gan his work in the Congo "amid the
rattle of musketry, the banging of cannon
and the burning of villages" he says he
was taught that this course was the only
one to bring the natives to their senses.
Tells of Brutality
Continuing the major relates his re-
peated and vain attempt to have the SOL
diery under him punished for their ill
treatment of natives. 'I have seen
them,' he writes, "kick the poor rubber
and ivory bearers until they fell from
exhaustion and then torture the unfor-
tunates amid howls of laughter. I re-
peatedy reported cases of robbery, mur-
der and outrage, but these reports were
unheeded'
The major says he once received a let
ter from the governor of the Congo, ad.
vising him that his services were greatly
appreciated but saying his reports were
full of criticisms and could not be trans
mitted to Brussels, where only the rosy
side of things was desired.
Later the major tried to see King Leo
pold, but he was always prevented by in
termediaries. Finding these reports use
less" the major goes on, 81 became pitt
less toward the soldier brigands in my de-
termination to enforce respect for the
natives, and l challenge the administra-
tion to produce one single native com
plant against me-"
Some of the depositions made by
women who were being conducted to the
various posts as workers are most pitiful
They swore they had been stolen by the
soldiery during raids maltreated at the
hands of the men and then either sold to
chiefs or made to work like slaves. Some
had seen their parents and children killed
before their eyes, and others had been
toI 70 Ai4.,