Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1907-01-14
Foreign Mission Board Pro-
muIgates Petition Addressed
to Governments of Great
Britain and United States,
INTERNATIONAL HONOR
INVOLVED IN ISSUE
Investigation Into Actual Con-
ditions in LeopoId's African
Domain Demanded in Name
of Humanity,
ny Morning Journal special Leased wireI


Philadelphia, Jan. 1S.-At a confer
ence of the foreign mission board OF
the United states and Canada here 1t
has been unanimously agreed TO for
ward to President Roosevelt the
United States senate ana King Ed
ward an appeal on behalf OF the
Congo Free state. The appeal fol-
lows
"The conference Of the foreign mis-
I sion boards of the United States and
the dominion Of Canada most respect
/ fully and earnestly bring TO you an
appeal on behalf of the stricken nen-
Pile of the Congo Free state. We do
I this in the name OF forty missionary
organizations whose work is prose-
cuted in All sections of the world. and
we are persuaded that the petition
interprets faithfully the sentiment of
their constituency Of upwards Of
twenty millions Of Christian men and
women. We are NOT forgetful that
recognition has been given by both
governments to an international dutY
in relation TO this unhappy people
II is a source of keen satisfaction to
us that our governments are united IN
leadership in work 50 closely af-
fecting international honor. But we
are reminded by The recurrence Of
our annual meeting that weeks and
months are passing, while the heavy
burden 81 wrong cantinues to rest
on the Congo peUpts ana Ne fee3G
nize with profound regret that the
first definite step toward just interna-
tional action has not yet been taken.
I'VE speak with deep conviction
concerning this issue, because we are
4.1. tarifla - !
dents of the Congo state by whom the
conditions to which we refer have
been disclosed. but you Will not need
to be reminded that other testimony 4
than our own has been given To the I
character and the creditabiity OF 4
these witnesses. commission Sc .
lected by King Leopold himself has 7
said of them and Of their fellow mis- I
sionaries in the Congo, that they con-
stitute for the native the sole repre-
sentative of equity and justice. OF
their testimony. dreadful as il has
been, the commission has declared
that they found il veil supported by
witnesses and official reports.
''The request which we, like the
great company Of petitioners OF boih
outside our constituency
are urging, Is obviously fair to az
interests since IL asks only for such
impartial action as shall give au-
thoritative revelation Of actual facts ,
and insure correction Of such wrongs
rs shall be disclosed. We submit that
the simple issue thus presented In ,
wolves primary test Of national ana :
honor. and that longer ,
of manifestations Of THIS
measure of international concern for {,
Ihese wards of the nations, would :
eave upon all powers responsible I
for it lasting reproach.
I'VE would earnestly urge that no
device of the ruler Of the Congo state, =,
whether Of wholesale aspersion of ,
motive or OF evasion of accounta- :
1ilty through promotion Of transfer F,
IF territory To a government OF whlch
ne is himself the head, shall be al
owed to cloud the issue of interna-
ional responsibility for immediate
lscertalnment of conditions and cor ,
'ection Of wrongs. The issue, as you !,
ire well aware. is not OF motive, but ,
IF fact. and the duty Of guardianship (,
binding the powers 10 the protection .
# the people of the territory of the =
-ongo basin Is independent of politl-
al relations. Moreover we would
urge our convention thai
f the king Is "a trustee he cannot
ransfer his trust except by interna-
iOnal sanction. II the convening oi
IN international conference was I'M
,ortant in the opening OF the Congo
erritory il would seem that confer o
nee for review OF the issue in all its =
,hases Is indispensable for wise and j.
ust dealing now. ~
In the name Of humanity of inter
Iational justice. of regard for the Il
irimal rights of man. we would ask =
hat YOU use the full power reposed y
n governments by the supreme ruler. 4,
n the interest OF an immediate dis -
harge by the nations Of their respon- 4
ibllity of guardianship over the RENE
ant OF the humble people who A
encration ago. Wlthout the choice or
heir own were brought out Of their ei
collation. INTO relailons WIN the N'Iiu s,
4 men and states iI