New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-16
FOR CONGO INQUIRY.
SENATE TAKES ACTION.
Mdy Lead to 11nneTatiOn of Free
State By Belgium.


tive session to-day adopted the Lodge Congo
resolution which expresses the opinion of the
sehate that conditions in the Congo Free State
should he made the subject of international in
qulry and assures the President that in any
steps he may take in cooperation with the
powers signatory to the Treaty of Berlin look
ing to such an investigation he will receive the
cordial support of the Senate
Before final adoption certain amendments
We're accepted to obviate the opposition of Sen
ator Bacon. who wanted the insertion of clause
excluding from the Presidents field of action
anything contrary to the long established prac-
tee OF this Republic OF avoiding entangling al
liances or in violation of existing treaties. and
TO meet the objection Of Senator Spooner who
insisted that the preamble should he so worded
as to avoid declaration that atrocities had
been perpetrated in the Congo in advance of the
proposed inquiry.
The text of the resolution, which was finally
adopted without division. is as follows:
Whereas 1t is alleged that the native inhab-
itantS of the basin OF the Congo have been sub
JeCted TO inhuman treatment of character that
Sh"uld claim the attention and excite the COM
passion or the people of the United States;
therefore, be il
Resolved. That the President is respectfully
advised that i'm case he shall find such a1Ieea-
tons are established by proof he win receive the
cordial support of the senate by any steps not
Inconsistent with treaty or other International
obligations or with ;he traditional American
| foreign policy which forhds participation by
the United States in the settlement Of political
questions which are entirely European i'm their
scope he may deem it wise to take in co-opera-
tion with or in aid of any of the powers sig
natory of the Treaty of Berlin for the ameliora-
uon OF the condition of such inhabitants.
SOLUTION OF CONGO PROBLEMS.
II is the eapora1 ov-ooto.ior, 90 ,o,,,,,or. -,
the Senate who ba,,. ei,or tho ,,a++a- tboir ,+
tention that the adoption Of this resolution will
he promptly followed hy tho aDDeyati0r T,,-
gum Of the Congo Free state. Such action on
the part Of Belgium would prove, in the estima
ton OF Senators the most satisfactory solu-
uon OF the Congo problem. because it would
nfihs the free state under the jurisdiction OF
the Belgian Parliament instead Of leaving II 10
the despotc rule of King Leopold
"hie there was no general discussion In the
senate to-day the question OF the right OF this
country TO promote an international inquiry INTO
the a1alrs OF the Congo was thoroughly can
vassed in the Committee ON Foreign Relations.
II was there pointed out that while the United
states had recognized the sovereignty Of the
congo Tor commercial purposes II had III ratl-
lS''S lHe treaty vi ''uSSelS III 'N'' l''He''eu III
the protocol OF ratification declaration that.
The United States Of America. having neither
PosSesslois nor ~ I'i," n@eleoS @
~ ,rdi+,te nv irterast ,,batsneyrT i'm tbe nos
sessions or protectorate established or claimed
on that continent by the other powers. or any
appIoNai o, ,e @ W~lsoot'' ~ - ~ :" ~ , "a "
in me said general act which might be- con-
s1rued as such declaration or acknowledgement
This resolution the Senate adopted 10 save the
United States from, any recognition Of the. king
eo,creiant,. of IeopoId who had by decree of
August / lSS5 declared himself king sovereign
of the Congo
prr,pD or, r.opoT ms PILE
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The decree Whch maze Leopold KING sovereign
also declared that the relations between Belgium
-, 80, ,,,, ,.,, ..,.,,roI,. ,,.reor,l ,, L5ir.r
anu 'H' O""H' WI F1's H
Leopold has spent hlll"hs OF francs III ueNeI"P-
ing the Congo. and at time his prvy purse
,vaq ir,po,ershed as a result Of his expenditures
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