New-York tribune., 1908-03-06
CONGO TREATY TERMS.
King Leopold to Retain Rights for
Lfc-4merican Concessions.

Brussels March s-The text Of tho nov Congo
annexation treaty submitted 70 parliament TO-
day by Premier Schollssrt and gent 10 committee
without debate. BY IT'S terms King Leopold agrees
10 abandon the crown domain and the crown forin-
dation to Belgium. but Belgium shall not ouly
all the Congo obligations amounting 20
s21006o but undertake also to continue the King 2
usufruct in the Congo revenues during his lifetime
Belgium is specifically required 70 respect the con-
cessions granted to two American companies IN
1906 in which Thomas r. Rysn Is Interested
The Congo revenues are charged with tho follow
Ing annual allowances: $1,000 10 Prince Albert
Of the Count of Flanders. brother Of King leo
pold; s5O00 Princess C1enent5ne the King third
daughter. and especial token Of gratitude 80
the King the Of SO ooo- ofs in fifteen annual
instalments for his use in constructing hospitals
and schools and forwarding scientific work IN
Africa Furthermore. Belgium must expNnd the
sum of sa0rncco work for which contracts a.
ready have been made. In addition. King Leopold
retains in fee simple forty thousand hectares ~
land at Mayumbe for coffee and cocoa growing OK
perinents and during his lifetime ne is TO enjoy h'S
interests IN the Congo concessonary companies ana
the property in Belgium and France which he PuT-
chased OF the funds of the Congo Foundstlon-
Upon the death Of the King all this property viii
revert TO Belgium.
The terms of the new treaty have had mixed
reception but the general impression is that fh~
annexation of the Congo Independent state 70 Bel
GUM the proposed basis is possible IL il prom
aple. however tl6I the clauses feCosHlIIHS '' No0'
concessions accorded to the American forest ana
mineral companies in which the King Is heavily
interested. will encounter much opposition
NJ. vandervelde the socialist Deputy and leader
of those who oppose the treaty OF annexation. TO-
night reserved comment on the new proposals pre-
ferrins to study the text of the document before
giving his opinion IN detail He regarded the
Kings abandonment Of the crown domain. however,
as great victory but disposed to oppose fatty
recognition OF the rights Of the concessonary COM
panies He expressed doubt also to whether
parliamentary control was made sufficiently clear
feared that the charges upon Belgian anu
Congo revenues might prove fresh obstacle TO
annexation
In spite cf the criticism OF the opposition, the
prevailing impression in parliamentary circles
garding the Kings concessions the ratiica
toE the treaty The Kings friends naturally
regard the treaty as it stands exceedingly
magnanimous Baron Deschamps, the Minister OF
State, said tonight:
The King presents TO the nation gift
colony twenty-three times as big as Belgium
domain. which is larger than France and Of
traordInary richness, he retains nothing Be
in the south of France which he purchased with
the revenues from the domain, only hold
irg for himself the usufruct during his lifetime
Parliament both the administrative and budget
airy control OF the colony, which should satisfy
In return he simply exacts an obligation that
belgium complete the works undertaken by him
out his philanthTOpic and scientific projects
in the Congo Independent State.
Should Parliament refuse to ratifv the
treaty. It is believed here that King Leopold. in
order to escape foreign intervention. would offer
the Congo to France. which possesses a privileged
right, in case Belgium refuses 10 annex It