New-York tribune., 1907-07-29
BRUTALITY IN CONGO.
LEM4IR'S REVEL1TIONS.
Major Continues His Exposures of
Crueltics of Ndtiuc Troops.

,,q the publication Of his recollectiOns of the
congo Independent State. The major served
Eighteen years IN the Congo in command OF
,a-ive troops on his return TO Belgium he
informed that he would be prosecuted for
,r,eltv toward the men under him. and he re-
.a1iated by beginning the publication Of a SEN
ea+fonal exposure Of revolving conditions pre-
.-ailtng IN the native army.
Aside from painting a biGck picture of the
conditions in the Congo the memoirs Of the
major reveal that the scientific expedition led
hv him into the Bairelghaza region, the
northern frontier. in 1904, expedition for
conquest il disguise. The major says that King
Teo-old gave him personal instructions to van
ogl!sh the Anglo-E Egyptian forces coming down
from the SOudan at any cost Il cannot be held
accountable for these acts" the major writes
u am only responsible for the complete execu-
tian OF these Instructions
Major Lemair admits that on several occa-
sions in the course OF this expedition, which
lasted for three years and two months, he
cansed native soldiers and even their wives to
ts 4oprad. He penetrated to regions never be-
<,-a reached by white man and Inhabited by
vud tribes and cannibals. and he says that
,rare was no wav other than fogging 70 pre-
earz-a the discipline necessary TO the safety and
e,,ccass of an expedition among brigands accus-
toned n kill raid and capture and 10 illreat
women In every instance Of fogging, however,
he faithfully reported the facts, and never re-
oefved a word Of CeusuTe. on the contrary, ne
mat
,,,ie exredition. and he was decorated by King
TaorolS No charges were preferred against
the major until the administration decided that
be had been too insistent in calling attention TO
he frirhtful and unchecked abuses in the
Congo.
ITALIAN OFFICERS SUPPORT MAJOR
The statements made by Major Lemair are
supported by documentary evidence and the tes-
,inony Of Italian officers who We're recalled by
nation was received regarding what was going
on there
perusal OF n. Lemairs recital carries the
conviction that he is a high minded man Of
superior attainments. sincere believer in the
future Of the Congo and devoted to the cause Of
the blacks. During his eighteen years OF service
he crossed Africa twice without firing car
fridge at 6 native On one occasion he entered
by way OF Zarbezi and came out two years later
al the estuary Of the Congo. n. Recluse. the
Feogrspher. said that this achievement and its
results ranked Lemair with Abbadie, Duveyrier
and Livingstone.
When as q young man Major Lemair began
his work IN the Congo amid the rattle Of mus
kerry. the banging Of cannon and the burning Of
villages" he says he was instructed that this
course was the only one TO bring the natives
their senses. Four years service however.
opened his eyes TO the true reasons why Africa
was being deluged in innocent blood Since then
he had defended the blacks, pointing out their
good qualities. and upheld the work Of the mis-
sionaries, He realized the danger OF a continu-
ance Of irresponsible control IN the Congo and
became q champion Of annexation the sole
remedy.
BRUTALITIES OF SOLDIERS.
Continuing, the major relates his repeated and
vain attempts 10 have the soldiery under him
punished for their III treatment OF natives. Il
have seen them" he writes kick the poor rub
ber and ivory bearers until they fell from ex-
haustIon. and then torture the unfortunates.
amid howIs OF laughter I repeatedly reported
cases Of robbery. murder and outrage. but these
reports were unheeded-"
The major gays he once received letter from
the Governor General Of the Congo advising
him that his services were greatly appreciated
but saying his reports were full Of criticism and
could not be transmitted TO Brussels, where
only the rosy side OF things was desired.
Later the major tried 10 see King Leopold
hut he was always prevented by Intermediates
Finding reports useless" the major goes on, I
became pitiless toward the soldier brigands in
my determination 70 enforce respect for the ma
tives. and I challenge the administration 70 pro-
duce one single native complaint against me"
Letters received by Major Lemair from ltal-
tan officers show profound admiration for him
Captain Otterino writes: IF your system were
followed the Congo administration to-day would
be a worthy hunanizing mission.
Some Of the dispositions made by women VINO
were being conducted 70 the various posts as
workers are most pitifuI. They swore they mad
been stolen by the soldiery during raids, NAL
treated al the hands Of the men and then either
sold 70 chiefs or made 10 work like slaves.
Some had seen their parents and children killed
before their eyes and others had been SUBJECTED
70 uncomfortable indignities-
EFFORTS TO QUAsH PROCEEDINGS.
NJ Beernaert. head Of the Belgian mission to
the peace conference. Investigated the docu-
rnents submitted by Major Lemair and under
took 70 force justice in the matter. The major
at that time the object Of a concerted al
tack By the newspapers subsidized by the
Congo Press Bureau. which he had unmasked
These papers insinuated that Lemair had been
guilty of murder, the violation Of native women
and of using the heads Of children for target
practice. When N. Beernaert demanded proof
Of these charges the Secretary Of State for the
Congo offered 70 withdraw the accusations
quash the prosecution and retain Major Lemalr
in the service-anything. in fact 10 hush the
matter up.-but NJ. Beernaert informed him: III
Is too late; will prosecute now
Major Lernair's narrative OF the hardships
and trials endured during the Bair-el-Ghaza ex-
petition rival the experiences of Dr. Livingstone
On one occa sion, accompanied only by an in
terpreter, he advanced fifty miles beyond his
column treat with a native sultan. He not
only faced death. but ran the risk Of being
eaten. the natives were cannlbals. On an
other occasion he parleyed for hour and
half standing knee deep in water the while, and
surrounded by sayages armed with lances
knives and bludgeons.
Throughout his entire service Major Leinair
never carried revolver when he went out 70
punish the troops. To this end he would some
times use his fists or the butts Of the soldiers
own guns.
Yesterday Major Lemair made public