The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-03-15
Dr "a MAnauIsE DE roNT'ENoY.

~ ton OF conditions in what vas
~ formtrly the Congo Free state.
and which Is now Bclgiuin's only
colony, that King George and his gov
eminent lave resolved 10 officially
recognize tile incorporation OF thi4
particularly rich slice OF the Dark Con
tlnent III the doninions OF King Albert
and II is probable thai the United
| 5Iiate3 government VIII similarly ac-
knowledge the transformation OF tho
Free state nto a Belgian colony. Eng
land and I'll. United states are the
22 !miiI tWo great now,Srs ,hat haze re-
ion, taktng TIC srot,nd ,ii'a, thay o ' al
~ the terms OF tho treaties OF 1854,
creating tile Free state. placed them
selves under certain obligations. both
; WIN regard to the Interests Of their
own conntrymcn IL that part Of Africa.
and also in the matter OF the welfare
Of the natives
1.eopold's death, conditions All along
the Congo Valley were 50 aboninabic
there was such an obstruction 70 for
fa and pro 9 G ana Hua 10 r l2f roii
cruelty towards the natives. that tho
United S4tos and England. All we'll as
several others of the great powcrs.
entered into pour pa,lers With ono an
other, "!th the Sheet OF d"privins
king Leopold Of the Sovereignty OF
ground or NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. and the
utter disregard OF al his pledges In
deed some such step would nndoubt-
poid arertcd tho blow. by Transforming,
the sovereignty OF the Congo r'rec
state 70 Belgium thai IS 70 say, 70 a
responsible government. Most Of the
isfaetion With this move fy '' On The Tie part
nI Leopold ana did not, manifest any
tie repeal OF all the treatics by means
Of which the Congo Free State mad
heen brought into existence, and ac-
auiiascins IN rs conr.ersion into Bel
n ~. a,,I II
the united states held out. They de-
clined TO acknowledge the new order
OF things until Il had been definitely
shown tG them that the change meant
an Improvement Of the treatment both
land.
II is now admitted that the change
mas been OF the most radical character
and that II dates, not from Lcopold's
death hui from nearly a year prior
thereto. that IS TO say, from tho time
Of the memorable Visit OF King Albert
rs heir preSumptiye, 10 the Congo VAL
Icy which he travcrsed from one end
10 the ether. Foreign trade Is now
iihobstructcd, cruelty and Injustice to
the natives arc vigorously punished
ana the entire aspect OF the country
has changed all along the banks OF
the river, villages. having everywhere
been rebuilt, ana the people having re-
tnrned 70 their former homes from
aatlocltl:s perpetrated upon them by
Leopold's own officials. md the agents
OF those chartered rubber comnanies
IN which he was the chief stockholdcr
HE l.2nd3n Times, and In fact all
those English newspapers which we're
ne most violently Congophobe during
the reign Of Leopold and which led
the crusade against him holding him
UP 10 the e&ecration Of the entire civil
lized world. arc now loudest in their
nraise OF the complete and marvellous
changes, not only for the better but for
the best, In Congoland attributins, most
OF the merit In the matter to the per-
sonal initiative and action OF King Al
pert, who. as mentioned in these
letters some time ago. has devoted the
greater portion OF the money accruinc.
to him from the Congo crown lands and
rom the late King Leopold's estates
there, to purposes OF philanthropy and
Of general utility in the colony IN
demanded tie removal OF King Leo
pold from The sovereignty Of the Con
20 denounclng him as twentieth cen
Ensiand that she shall show her an
probation OF what King Albert has
ia a. IN the Congo BY ofTiciai-
~ recognizing It's transformation from
q Free state into, g colony Of his
crown; and from what ! gather from
London, King George and his govern
mcnt are about to defer to this puhlic
ointment. acting in conjunction with
President Taft, and the government Of
the United States.
Since Arthur de Rochechoiiart. who