Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1907-01-17
The Conference Of Foreign Mission
Boards, of United States and
Canada, Acts.
OISApPROVES OF THE DELAY
Il 10 Addressed to President Rooss-
welt the Senate and King
Edward-only Asks
for Facts.

ence of the foreign mission boards
Of the United States and Canada here
1t has been unanimously agreed to
forward to President Roosevelt, the
United States senate and King Ed
ward, an appeal on behalf of the Con-
go Free State. The appeal follows:
1.-THE conference Of the foreign
mission boards Of the United States
and the dominion Of Canada would
most respectfully and earnestly bring
to you an appeal on behalf Of the
stricken people Of the Congo Free
State. We do this in the name Of 40
missionary organizations, whose work
is prosecuted in all sections OF the
world, and we are persuaded that the
petition interpets faithfully the senti-
ment of their constituency Of upwards
of 100000 of Christian men and wo-
men. We are not forgetful that recog-
milton has been given by both govern
ments to international duty in rela-
tion to this unhappy people. 1t Is
source of keen satisfaction to us
that our governments are united In
leadership in work SO closely affect
ing international honor.
But We are reminded by the recur-
renee of our annual meeting that weeks
and months are passing while the heavy
burden of wrong continues to rest up
on the Congo people and We recognize
with profound regret that the first
definite step toward just international
action has not yet been taken.
1--WE speak with deep conviction
concerning this issue, because we are
intimately associated with many resi-
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
than ours has been given to the char
acter and the creditability of these
witnesses. A commission selected by
King Leopold himskR has said Of
them and of their fellow missionaries
in the Congo, that they constitute for
the native the sole representative OF
equity and justice. OF their testimony
dreadful as 1t has been the commission
has declared that they found 1t well
supported by witnesses and official
representatives.
"The request which we, like the
great company of petitioners of both
governments outside our constituency
are urging, is obviously fair to all
interests, since is asks only for such
impartial acton as shall give authori-
tative revelation Of actual facts and in
sure correction Of such wrongs as
shall be disclosed. We submit that
the simple issue thus presented In
wolves a primary test Of national and
international honor and that longer
Withholding Of manifestations of this
measure of international concern for
these wards of the nations would
leave upon all powers responsible for
1t lasting reproach
1--WE would earnestly urge that no
device of the ruler Of the Congo state,
of wholesale aspersion of mo-
tive, or or evasion OF accountability
through promotion Of transfer of terri
tory to a government of which he is
himself the head, shall be allowed
TO cloud the issue of international re-
sponsibility for immediate ascertain
ment of conditions and correction Of
worngs. The issue as you are well
aware, is not of motive but of fact,
and the duty Of guardianship bind
ng the powers to protection of the