Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-04-16
Belgian Parliament Check
mated by the King.
Leopold Refuses To Open Up
His Books on the Congo.
Concessions to American Syndicate
a Matter Of Policy.

Brussels, April b. King Leopold s
return is expected to mark the begin
ming Of d new phase in the struggle be
tween the Monarch and Parliament
over the question of the annexation OF
the Congo Free State by Belgium. The
King is unalterably opposed to annex
alton and for the time being, seems
complete master of the situation. His
refusal 20 permit the Congo admins
tratiDn TO furnish information concern
ing the finances of the African state
to the Parliamentary commission of the
country Of which he is the cOHStitut ION
al king, practically chcckmatcS the
Parliament.
Public opinion in Belgium is divided
on the question. There is Il natural
antipathy on the part Of many 10 Bel
GUM emharkng upon q colonial policy.
There is IL large body of StOrkholders
in the conCessiOnary companies, who
are content to receive big dividends and
no questions asked. The commercial
class generally reaps indirectly large
profits from the wealth coming out of
the Congo and the mass of people, daZ-
Zled by the prodigality Of the monarch,
his manifold gifts, the magnificent
structures he is constantly building
are Indifferent or on the side Of the
King. Nevertheless, sentiment in
favor of annexation grows constantly.
In Parliament the majority is strong
~ convinced that the destinies Of the
immense black population Of the
Kings African possessions, comprising
100000 square miles, demand that II
civil administration amcnable TO pub
- IL ~,
Parliament, should he substituted for
the irresponsible will of one man.
Whether the stories Of atrocities and
awful exploitation Of the helpless
black are exaggerated, the existence at
various times and places Of tn"
most rovolting abuses has been cs-
tabllshcd and the advocates Of an
neXation argue that it is impossible to
prevent their recurrence as long as the
administration and exploitation Of this
vast territory and population il con
Quoted secretly with the ala Of nalG
savage black native lcvics.
On the face of things the Congo ad-
minStration goes annually deeper into
debt. There is a chronic deficit. 1t has
outstanding bonds amounting to SEQ -
100000 not including the 2700A. 600
for which Leopold made his will in
favor of the state. Notwithstanding the
annual deficit Of the administration.
however. untold millions continue to
pour out Of the Congo. The profits Of
the c"nccssionary companies are en-
ornous-ouc of them paid five times its
capital stock in Il single wear.
How much the Kings revenue really
is has always been Z matter Of specua-
ton. 1t has been estimated from So
0G0GO0 to 100000 He is supposed to
get half the profits Of the concession
airy companies. 1t is the relation Of
the government of the Congo Free
State to the companies ana the X ing
domaine prive." their financial rcla-
ton especially. which the Belgium Par
Lament seeks in vain.
Above al. the King seems apprc-
hensivc Of English intervention in
favor of Il conference" to revoke his
tru$tccShip. The English interest i'm
both sentimental ANA economic. Stories
Of atrocities rival,n% in brutality the
tales of the PortugcS" slave trade
which originally attracted the attcn-
ton of humanity to the Congo basin,
have aroused public sentiment. but
ever since the tariff was imposed in
1895. there has been resentment i'm
England because English goods. are
practically barred from the Congo.
Tho other country most feared by
Leopold. is the United States and he
has made an especial effort to dis
associate America from England in any
step the latter may contemplate. This
is universally accepted here as the Sc
crCl OF the immense concessions made
hy the King to an American syndicate.
Irrespective ar the Kings political
motives, i is unqurstionahly true that
he greatly admires America and is
fond Of Americans and wants TO get
American energy enlisted in the de-
Nel"pmcnt of the Congo. While on the
Rivera this winter. he showed Il mark
ed preference for the society OF Amcri-
cans and told many of them that his
dream would be to see Belgium
state in the American l-ninD