The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-02-06
PAYS COMPLIMENT TO UNCLE SAM
Purpose of King Albes Special Embasyto the United States
Is Desire for a Closer Union With
This Country.

o. the great powers Of Europe is calcu'
lated to arouse the Jealousy and invite
the antagOnism Of the others. Belgium
cannot enter into closer relations with
Great Britain without exciting the sus-
capabilities of Germany, while England.
and particularly France would view with
misgivings any rapprochement between
King Albert and the Kaiser. For Antwerp
is not only the greatest commercial port
Of the continent Of Europe. but likewise
naval base of incalculable Importance
10 the three great powers in question,
each one Of which would be willing TO 60
to war rather than to permit either Of
the others TO attain predominance there.
King AIbert's close friendship with the
United States would however, give rise
to no such fear or apprehension. Nobody
dreams Of imputing to this great republic
any designs upon Antwerp. That is why
King Albert sees in a closer union with
the United States great advantages, both
commercial and political, to his people
without any Of the drawbacks Of an en-
tente with a European great power
Meanwhile it vii! prove source OF
profound satisfaction and relief 10 all
those on this side Of the Atlantic, whose
indignation was aroused by the recital OF
the shameful NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Of the
Congo Free State government and OF the
frightfuI atrocities perpetrated under its
auspices by its more or less direct agents.
10 know that an altogether new era has
/ been inaugurated in that portion Of At
! RIGA which while subject 10 King Leopold
+ II was the most somber portion OF the
Dark Continent.
/ As have never been backward in these
/ letters in denouncing the crueities ana
the vileness OF the Free State govern
ment it is only fair that I should like
wise help TO promulsate the welcome
news that a great change for the better
has taken place throughout Belsium's
new colony. a change which comedies
with the visit OF King Albert 10 South
and West Africa last year and for which
be Is in great measure responsible.
British and German missionaries who
we're loudest in their condemnation Of
the regime Of King Leopold have nothing
its place. and I have before ne q letter
Of q veteran Of the missionary service.
the Rev Dugald Campbell. who has spent
nearly a quarter of a century in the
Congo country, especially in the Eatanga
province. and who declares that while
formerly the conditions were indescrib-
b able. now well ordered government pre-
walls in the district. where the free trade
: promised By Leopold in 1884, but never
; permitted by him, has at length been
b introduced. and where numerous foreign
ers. notably Englishmen and Germans,
] traders. as well as farmers. are receiving
] without difficulty licenses 10 trade and
Y even concessions of land.
Moreover. so rapid has been the i'm
70 rroyement that Europeans can at present
e travel unarmed through the country. wit.
nc more Formidable weapon than a walk
p ing stick. The abominable native sentry
e 81 stem has been abolished, no armed
T soldiers are allowed 10 travel about the
D country unless accompanied by white
. officer. every native has access TO the
d law courts. and # there Is any leaning
q toward IenienCy or toward severity Tho
$ leniency and the benefit Of the doubt art
e invariably given TO the native. while tbs
70 white officer is severely punished for thJ
a smallest slips from the path Of justice.
In view Of all the abuse that has beer
10 lavished upon the conditions that pre-
b vailed in the Congo Valley under Kins
$ Leopold it is only right and fair that th'
- radical changes for the better should b
u made known. changes for which the re
q spOnsibIity may be laid at the door o
the new King Of Belgium.
g Copyright. 1910, by the Brentwood Csmpau-A