New-York tribune., 1907-01-14
MISSIONS Make APPEAL.
Isl; President, Senate and King Ed
udrf TO TAKE Congo 4chon.

Philadelphia. Jan. 13.-At a meeting of the
ference OF the Foreign Missions Boards OF the
United States and Canada in this city on Saturday
1t was unanimously agreed 10 forward 70 Presi-
dent Roosevelt the United States Senate and King
Edward appeal on behalf OF the people OF the
Congo State. The appeal follows:
To the President and the Senate OF the United
The conference OF the Foreign Missions Boards
Of the United States and the Dominion OF Canada
would most respectfully and earnestly orIng 70
you an appeal on oeaaif OF tne stricken people OF
ynissIonaSry crganizstions whose UarL Is prose-
cuted in all sections OF the world, and are per
sentiment Of their Constituency OF upward OF
twenty millions of Christian and women. We
are not forgetful that recognition has been given
by both governments 10 international duty IN rela-
ton this unhappy people. 1t is a source of keen
in leadership in a work so closely affecting inter
national honor But We are reminded oy me re-
curTfnee OF our annual meeting that weeks and o
wrong continues to rest VITA crushing weight upon
tie Congo people. and we recognize with profound
rational action has not yet been taken
We speak with deep conviction concerning this
many residents OF the Congo State, by whom the
We are constrained to accept their testimony; We
ae Jaaf bonor moe or oT 99eS d6on
But you will not need 10 be reminded that other
setr and credby f of thess o '
mission selected by King Leopold himself has said
Congo State that they constitute for the native
their testimony dreadful as It has been, the
mission has declared that they found II be
supported by a multitude Of Witnesses and
established by a mass Of evidence and official re-
ports"
The request which we. like the great company
of petitioners of both governments outside
stituency, urging is obviously fair 10 all In
terests since II asks only for such impartial action
shall give authoritative revelation Of actual
facts and insure correction of such wrongs as
shall be disclosed We submit that the sim
pie issue thus presented involves a primary test
OF national and international honor, and that
longer Withholding Of manifestation Of this
measure of international concern for these wards
OF the nations would leave upon al powers respon-
sible for 1t lasting reproach-
We would earnestly urge that device Of the
aspersion Of motive Of evasion OF accountable
fly, through promotion Of transfer or transfer OF
territory 10 a government OF which he Is himself
the head, shall be allowed TO cloud the issue of
International responsibility for immediate ascer-
tainment of conditions and correction of wrongs.
but OF fact, and the duty of guardianship binding
the powers TO protection of the people of the ter
ritory Of the Congo basin is independent OF political
relations. Moreover, would respectfully urge
conviction that II the King is trustee he
transfer his trust except by international
ference was important in the opening of the Congo
territory, IL would that conference for e.
view of the issue in all its phases Is Indispensable
for wise and just dealing now.
In the OF humanity Of International Jus
tice, of regard for the primal rights of man,
in governments by the Supreme Ruler in the Inter
est Of immediate discharge by the nations Of
their responsibility of guardianship over the
rent OF the humble people who a generation ago,
without choice of their own, were brought out OF
their isolation into relations with the world of
eta