The Irish standard., 1910-01-01

| lites is forbidden to be read by Catho-
lies, SO filthy are the details given BY
that writer. 1t is safe to say that
Leopold's life was exemplary when
compared to that of Edward and his
predecessors on the English throne.
Why then should he be attacked so
atrociously by English correspondents
in the American newspapers? Let
Professor Wheeler answer:
| Leopold at the time he came to the
throne was Protestant; he married a
Roman Catholic, and his children have
been brought up in that religion. When
he came to the throne he told the Bel
gians that he had his trunk already
packed, and any time he was found to
/; be unsatisfactory he would leave. What
was the result? He proved to be one
Of the best constitutional kings who
ever lived, developing the resources of
the country and improving conditions
continually. No one can stay in Bel
GUM without learning that. If he err
red in Africa it was because every one
else has erred. He must have laborers
in the Congo. If the chiefs didn't fur
nish them he must do as the British
also did, and compel them to do it,
Leopold was not ostracized because of
his relations with women. nor did he
lose caste. How could he? The adven-
lures of royalty are such that were he
brought before the Judgment of the
royal families he would be in a case
like that of Warren Hastings, no one
could show much better record him
SELF
Prof. Wheeler is not only llistor-
ian but an extensive traveller and keen
observer. He is broad minded, and
free from prejudice 1t is refreshing
to find such an American in these days
of cant and hypocrisy raise his voice
on behalf Of truth and justice. In refer
ence to the Congo he says:
There is vast deal of exaggera-
ton in the reports of the cruelties in
the Congo. If you will take a map Of
Africa you will see that the route of
the Cape to Cairo railroad runs
diagonally across the Congo state
hence the attempt by the English to
blacken the record of Leopold there.
England will get the territory eventual
ly, l suppose, and these reports of the
cruelty of the Belgians sent out from
English sources are in line with Brit
ish policy. If there is anything worse
than the operations of the British in
Africa, do not know Of it. The way
they treated the Zulus, moving them
down with gatling guns, is worse than
the crulties attributed to the Belgians.
Then, too, they sent down to the coast
cargoes of gin, and some one has told
me that there are enough gin bottles
at the port of entry to make pile
as high as one of the pyramids. AS
for the reports of cruelty by the Bel
gian officials, attach no Importance to
them. considering the source from
which they come. 1t is simply case
of the pot calling the kettle black, and
the motive is so patent that I am very
suspicious"
OF course. Prof. Wheeler is very sus-
picious Of anything emanating from
British sources. He has read the his
tory Of his own country in relation to
England and knows the duplicity and
crookedness that characterize that
brigand of the nations. 1t is a pity
that SO many Americans Of the present
day are SO gullible as to believe
humping English lies furnished by
London correspondents to blacken the
character of King Leopold and the
happy and contented people whom he
governed for many years.