New-York tribune., 1910-06-21
CONGO RULE DENOUNCED
Mission Conference Asked to
Take Up Question.
A VIOLATION OF RIGHTS
Governments Asked to Further
Missionary Endeavor-The
Committee Report.

Edinburgh, June 2O.-The World Mission
ary Conference considered to-day the gov
ernment, diplomatic and civil questions
which affect missions. These subjects were
INTRODUCED through the presentation of the
report of the commission on THE Relation
of Missions to Governments" The commits
sion appealed to the conference TO make
decided pronouncement on the Belgian
Congo question, concluding It's report with
an assertion that 1.-The claims of humanity
and the rights of missions have been so
f1agrantly and continuously violated by the
government of the Congo State NOW taken
over by BelgiunD that an appeal for action
should be made by the conference to all
the powers which are signatories TO the
general act of Berlin"
I'VE have no hesitation in asking the
conference TO make a decided pronounce
ment upon the Congo question:" the report
says. This new state came into being
under conditions which make the whole
family of nations more directly responsible
for its existence than is usually the case;
they did not merely accept an accom-
plished fact, but lent an active hand to
the accomplishment. This makes it doubly
imperative that the conference should pre-
sent a full weight of Christian sentiment,
effectually voiced. to overcome the natural
and usually commendable tndisposition of
governments to meddle-'
The commission heads the list of its
findings with expression of gratitude
for the large amount of mutual helpfulness
found to exist between so many missions
and governments. Concerning the right of
entry for Christian missions the report
says:
Inasmuch the results of missionary
ENTERPRISES are now so evident and have
extended over SO long period that their
general beneficent effect is demonstrated,
we think that it may reasonably be asked
of all Christian governments that they
should use their good offices with those OF
other nations for the free admission and
exercise of missionary endeayor, where
such admission is not now granted; ana
further. that such interposition may be
justified to the governments not on
grounds of religion, but upon the broad
ground of humanity, on account OF the
beneficent influence of missions. and upon
the common right of mankind to receive
such benefits.
The report continues
In view of the enormous influence exer--
cised by Christian nations over races or
less developed civilization and lower ma
tertal power would express the earnest
hope that growing sense OF responsibility
for the right use of this influence may
and individuals; and in particular we would
express our conviction that where terri
tories peopled by such races are under the
rule of Christian powers the prime duty
of such powers is the education and de-
yelcpment Of these races.
Evidence having been laid before us that
In many countrieS-occaSionauy even in
countries under the control of European
powers-native Christians lie under diSabil1-
ties both In regard to the exercise OF their
religion and In regard to their civil status,
we would emphasize the fact that Christian
teaching inculcateS respect for the civil
authorities of their own land as the duty
of Christians, and would affirm the reason
ableness of granting to Christians all the
protection, rights and privileges Of loyal
and law-abiding citizens We would
further urge that Christian powers should
not only adopt this rule of action in all
countries under their direct control or
subject to their political influence, but
should also make friendly representations
on the subject to such other powers as
have not removed these disabilities.
While fully recognizing the duty and
right of the civil authorities of every
country to lay such temporary restrictions
and conditions on the movements and set
tIenent both of their own nationals and
of foreigners within and across their bor-
ders as are demanded in the interests
Of Internal order and International peace,
we think It well to record our judgment
that 1t IS not wise for the civil power TO
allocate areas Of work to different missions