The Detroit times., 1908-12-11
60NGO WILL NEVER
bE WHITE MANS
DOMAIN
coMcL vsaoN REACHED BY INvtS
rIcAToR-RoosEvell SECRET
~ AIDED coNGo BY SENDING
PLEA FOR REFORM

ROME. Dee. ll.--Few persons IN
America possibly know the influence
which. President Roosevelt has exes-
cised on the action OF King Leopo!a
IA the Congo by taking nrm stanu
Il prevent the continuation OF the anu
humanitarian system which not ohN
the Belgians but white men OF all ma
tionalities had adopted to extort the
largest possible profits from the ma
tives and the riches of the country.
The initiative by the head OF the
American republic was justified by tie
fact that. the United States was one 81
the IA powers which had participated
in the conference OF Berlin In 1880
out of which came what later was
known as the Congo independent state,
under the absolute rule OF the king OF
the Belgians.
The action of the American pre5i-
dent was SO mucn the move poWeflii
rs. having remained secret, II dii
not put King Leopold TO any embarr-
assment In appearing To yield 10 tore-
Ign pressure. In fact, Mr.. Roosevelt
move was conducted only In limited
degree through the usual diplomatic
channels. while an important message
from him on the subject was taken 10
the sovereign of the Congo independ-
en- state by an American bishop OF
Belgian nationality, who occupies al
Episcopal see in America. and wnS,
after having been received at the
White House. visited Plus Y. and IN
formed him of the message with WHICH
ne had been imtrusted.
All the world remembers the sensa-
tion caused when Capt. Baccari, the
xpecial commissioner or the ltalian
government to make Investigations IL
The Congo. returned home asserting
that an attempt had been made 10
poison him during his sojourn In tina,
mrch-discussed region. Capt. Baccari
has lust brought cut book under the
auspices OF the Italian ministry or ma
riue dealing with his mission. which
Is highly important and should De
read by every one interested In the
eocalled blessings Of civilization" and
The desire for colonial expansion.
Capt. Baccari's Investigations have
Ted him to the firm conclusion that on
one and all grounds-humanitarian,
commercial and :oionizing-the Congo
policy has been a failure. He thinks
rkat~the- region car never be whrc
mans land. Labor will always be ex-
.elosiveiy black, a ID, as for the "blesi-
.ings of civilized government when
King Leopold SAID he was pestowiny
on the Congo. they are having the ef'
feet Of the determination Of the ma
fiyes: and the end, IL radical changes
he not introduced. is fundamentally
certain.
# Capt. Bacarri mas succeeded In max
'frg a most readable book. but horrors
are not wanting, as when he describes
The whiprings administered to fainting
natives and hospitals where patients
AIeep on the bare ground without an
seffcrt for cleanliness.
y However. the picture is not all dark.
lie found some. parts of the unhappy
land where. the natives were being hui
manely treated, were happy, and work
I'd willingly.
~ On Nov 15 last the Congo Indepeni-
rnt state. or the Congo Free State, as
u is popularity called, ceased to exist.
King Leopold's arbitrary reign ended
and the territory was oficially trans
ferrcd to Belgium. The state now in
Sludes a population of 10000. 000-the
Gurvivors OF the 30 ,O00, 900 Entrusted by
lhe powers in 1885 TO the absolute rule
tOf one man.. 1t was not until 1885,.
}4hat the world began TO realize the
%m;stake II had MADE.