The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1910-06-23
BAD CONDITIONS IN
CONGO FREE STATE


EDINBURGH. Scotland. June IL
Tho Commission on Missions and Gov
crnmonts concluded it's report. pre-
scnted 10 the Worlds Missionary Con-
ference today. with an assertion that
the claims Of humanity and the
rights Of missions have been 30 fla-
grantly and continuously violated by
the government of the Congo state
(now taken over by Belglum). that an
appeal for action should be made by
the conference 10 all tho powers which
are signatories TO the General Act of
Berlin"
The Congo Question.
I'VE have no hesitation in asking
the conference to make a decided pro-
DouDcement upon the Congo qucs-
ton" tho report says This new
stGte came into being under conditions
which make the whole family of ma
tIons 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 confer
ence should present full weight of
Christian sentiment effectually voiced
to overcome the natural and usually
commendablc indisposition of govern
ments TO meddle'
The commission heads the list of
it's findings with an expression Of graf
i:ude for the large amount Of mutual
helpfulness found to exist between so
many missions and governments. Con-
cerning the right OF entry for Chris
tian Missions the report says:
Results of Enterprises.
'Inasmuch as the results Of mis-
siondry enterprises are now 80 evil
dent and have extended over go long
a period that their general beneficeDt
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
cndcavor. where such admission Is not
now granted; and further, that such
interposition may be justified to the
governments, not on grounds Of reli-
al, ~
humanity, on account Of the beneticent
influence OF missions. and upon the
common right of mankind to rece,Te
such benefits"
The report continues: I'm view OF
the enormous influence exercised by
Christian nations over races of less
developed civilization and lower ma
terial power. we would express the
earnest hope that a growing sense OF
responsibility for the right use OF this
influence may control the actions OF
both governments and individuals; ;
and In particular we would express
our conviction that where territories
peopled by such races are under the
rule OF Christian powers, tho prime
duty Of such powers is the education
and DEVELOPMENT OF these races.
Native Christians Under Disabilities.
Evidence having been laid before
US that In many countrlee-occaslon-
ally even In countries under the con-
troll OF European powers - native
Christians lie under disabilities both
in regard to the exercise OF their reli.
gion and in regard to their civil stat
us. 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 reasonobleness of
granting to Christians all the protec-
ton. rights and privileges OF loyal
and law-abiding citizens. We would
further urge that Christian powers
should not only adopt this rule OF ac-
tion In all countries under their d.
rect contro or subject to their polit'
ical influence. but should also make
friendly representations on the sub
ject to such other powers as have not
removed these disabilities.
While fully recognizing tho duty
and right OF the civil authorities OF
every country TO lay such temporary
restrictions aud conditions on the
movements and settlement both OF
their own nationals and OF foreigners
within and across their borders. as
arc demanded In the interests Of In
tornal order and international peace.
wo think II we'll to record our judg-
ment that Il is not wise for the civil
uower 10 allocate areas OF work TO
different missions. unless in confer
enec with and with the concurrence
OF tha missions concerned.
Rcoommen dations Of Commission.
eve recommend TO the conference
that II take steps for the appointment
Of q committee. composed in part OF
International jur.sts OF reputation. to
draw up a brief statement of recog-
nized principles which underlie the
relations of missions to governments.
which staaemont, after having re-
ccived the endorsement OF the lead
inu missionary societies or represcn-
tativc board OF missions. may be pub
lIshed for the information both of mis-
sIonories and OF government officials
who may be In contact with mission
work"