New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-10-04
TIE NEW ERA IN THE CONGO.

"A prince surrounded by the respect of Eu-
rope a French statesmans characterize
ton of the sovereign of the Independent State
of Congo at an early date in the history of that
unique organization, and the substantial accu-
racv of it was generally conceded throughout
the world. No other state ever came into exist
ence I'm the same way that the Congo did, and it
may be doubted If any ever came into existence
amid brighter anticpations Of philanthropy.
1t is a most melancholy reflection that the clos
ing scene in the history of the Congo an in
dependent state is marked with q widespread
estimate of its sovereign, or of his administra
ton, which is radically differen- from that
which we have quoted. OF that change Of esti-
mate whether just or unjust, there can be no
doubt, and it is not easily eXpliCable on any
other ground than that there is cause for ii.
The accusations which have been made against
the Congo administration have proceeded not
alone from those whose knowledge. integrity or
disinterestedness might he open to suspicion,
but also from some of the most authoritative
and trustworthy statesmen of the world, whom
we cannot suspect of either misunderstanding
or misrepresentation.
At the same time that early estimate Of King
Leopold and his work in Africa is earnestly up
held by not few competent authorities. Our
foreign dispatches reported the other day that
the Belgian government, as a sort Of epilogue TO
tne annexation treaty, nau puDlSneQ III 01SJOT-
ical vndcation of King Leopolds rule in the
Congo. Through the courtesy of the Belgian
Minister to this country we are in receipt of
similar publication comprising, together vita
the text of the annexation treaty, the speeches
in support of that convention which were made
by Mr.. Schollaert, the Belgian Prime Minister,
and his colleague, Mr.. Renkin, the Minister of
Justice. These addresses, elaborate and de
tailed. ostensibly Eefute many of the popular I'M
pressOns and specific accusations concerning the
Congo State and its government, and form one
of the most complete and impressive essays ut
the vindcation of that government which
have seen. That they are entirely convincing,
however, and that they finally dispose Of the
case we may not concede, for that would be to
disCredt counter declarations OF comparable
weight. When two authorities, of substantially
equal information, judgment and integrity, d.
recty oppose and contradict each other, what
is the observant bystander to do?
We described the Congo controversy some time
ago as a profound mystery, and to that Charac
terization of it we must, at least for the pres
ent, adhere. Some day the mystery may be
cleared up but that it will or can be done at the
present time or in the immediate future unless
by some means hitherto untried, grayely
doubt. What does seem certain is that the new
era in the affairs of the state is cordially to be
welcomed. In q current memorandum the Bel
gian Minister suggests that in annexing the
Congo State Belgium has provided herself with
a source of enormous colonial wealth and mas
given assurance that the colony will be devel-
Oped in a way which Will guarantee success
full administration and which VIII secure the
maximum amount of benefit to the native tribes
as we'll as to the white colonists and traders.
That may be believed, and IN that belief the
world may rest content. The great demand has
been for a responsible and humane government
in the Congo. OF the entire responsibility md
good faith of the Belgian government, which is
now to be established over it. there can be no
doubt Neither are we inclined TO doubt the
humanity of that government or its Intention tC
deal decently and justly with the African ma
tives. In such prospective attainment Of the de-
sired ends all questions Of past administration
may be left to the disclosures and the 1udgn INT
Of future time.