Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1907-01-14
STOP. ATROC|TY
IN The CONGO
Americans and English Ask
Powers That Be to
Interfere

Philadelphia, Jan. 14.-At a con-
ference of the foreign mission boards
of the United States and Canada here
it has been unofficially but unani-
mously agreed to forward to President
Roosevelt, the United States senate
and King Edward an appeal on be-
half of the Congo Free State. The
appeal follows:
The conference of the foreign mis-
sion boards of the United states and
the Dominion of Canada most respect
fully and earnestly bring to you an APP
peal in behalf of the stricken people
of the Congo Free State. We do
this in the name of forty missionary
organizations whose work is prosecut-
ed in all sections of the world and
persuaded that the petition interprets
faithfully the sentiment of their corr
stituency of upwards Of 100000
of Christian men and women. We
are not forgetful that recognition has
been given by both governments to
international duty in relation to this
unhappy people. 1t is a source of
keen satisfaction to us that our gov
ernments are united in leadership in
a. work so closely affecting interna-
tional honor.
Burden of Wrong Continues.
But we are reminded by the re-
currence of our annual meeting that
weeks are passing while the heavy
burden of wrong continues to rest
upon the Congo people and we rec
ognize with profound regret that, the
first definite step toward just inter-
national action has not been taken.
I'VE speak with deep conviction
concerning this issue, because we are
intimately associated with many resi-
dents of the Congo Free State by
whom the conditions to which we re-
fer have been disclosed. But you
will not need to be reminded that
other testimony than ours has been
given to the character ana the credi-
liability of these witnesses.
IA committee selected by King
Leopold himself has said of them and
of their fellow missionaries in the
Congo, that they constitute for the
native the sole representative Of
equality and justice. Of their testi-
mony, dreadful as it has been, the
committee has declared that theyi
found 1t will be supported by wit
nesses and official representatives.
Honor of Nations at Stake.
1.-The request which we like the great
company of petitioners of both gov
ernments outside our constituency,
are urging is obviously fair to all in
terests, since 1t asks only for such
imperial action as shall give authori-
tative revelation of actual facts and
insure correction of such wrongs as
shall be disclosed. We submit that
the simple issue thus here presented
involves a primary test of national
and international honor and that d
longer Withholding of manifestation
of this measure of International con-
Germ for these wards Of the nations
would leave upon all the powers re-
sponsible for it a lasting reproach
1--WE would earnestly urge that no
device of the ruler of the Congo
Free State whether of wholesale
aspersion of motive, or of evasion of
accountability through the promotion
or transfer of the territory to a gov
head. shall be allowed to cloud the
issue of international responsibility
for the immediate ascertainment Of
conditions and correction of wrongs.
"In Name Of Humanity"
The issue, as you are well aware, is
not of motive but of fact and the duty
of guardianship being the power to
the protection of the people
of the territory Of the Congo is in
dependent of political relations. More
over, we would respectfully urge our
conviction that If the king is a trus-
tee he cannot transfer mis- trust ex-
cept by international sanction. If
the continuing of an international
conference was important in the OPEN
ing of the Congo territory it would
seem that conference for IA review
of the issue in all its phases is in
dispensable for>wiss and just dealing
now.
I'm the name of humanity, of in
ternational justice, of regard for the
primal rights of man, we would ask
that you use the full power reposed
in governments by the Supreme Ruler
In the interest of an immediate dis
charge by the nations of their
responsibility of guardianship over
the remnant of humble people who
a generation ago without choice OF
their own were brought out of their
isolation into relations with the world
of men and states"
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