Evening journal., 1913-07-08
HAPPENINGS
OVER THE SEA
Closing Chapter Written In
Congo Atrocities With Pass
Ing Of "BIOOd Tax"
NIGHT WATCHMEN AT
BUCKINGHAM PALACE
BY ED. L. KEEN.

tLondon Correspondent of the United
Press.)
LONDON. July S-With the dissolu-
lion of the Congo Reform Association,
which was formally notified TO the
Belgian government today. the closing
chapter was written in one OF the
most successful international cru
sades ever undertaken in England. ~
was admittedly due almost altogether
10 the efforts of this organization Of
British publicists that the atrocities
Of the Congo, which 10 shocked the
sntire world when they we're first re
vealed dozen years ago during the
reign of the late King Leopold, have
now entirely disappeared. The re-
moval of the rubber tax, or blood
tax" toward which the association
especialh directed its energies. now
leaves the native OF the Congo free
TO gather the natural products of his
country and dispose Of them in legiti.
mate trade. wita0ut restriction.
The Congo has ceased to be drain
cd of its life blood IN the interests of
Belgian capitalists. who we're aided
and abetted by American financiers,'
today said u. %. Moiel. secretary Of
the association. following the iinal
meeting of the organization, "and as
our objects have been accomplished,
there is no further need of our exist
ence.
THE concessiohaire companies. Of
shameful memory, have all either
been annulled or their powers cur
tailed and transformed, and thousands
of natives who had fed to recesses
n H. a.. t1,ott
tors are now back in their old settle
ments on the river banks The coun-
try is no longer harried by swarms
1f irregular soldiers. and the practice
by the administration of arming one
tribe against another has been abol-
ished Our association has seen all
its demands save one realized. We
failed TO secure special Legislative
enactment recognizing native tenure
OF land. but the Belgian government
Is acting upon that policy without
formally Incorporating il into law.
1T may take two or more genera
tons 10 heal the wounds inflicted
upon the Congo. but We are satisfied
that a return 10 the old system has
now been made utterly impossible
The success of our agitation really
marks an epoch in the history of the
relations of European nations to-
wards the colored races"
Little Prince Henry. aged thirteen.
Is the practical joker of the British
Royal family. Here is his latest His
sister. Princess Mary. wrote MIN the
other day while he was visiting in
Cornwall. asking him TO send her
some of the flowers which, according
TO the newspapers were blooming in
profusion in the English Riviera.
''You know how fond I am Of early
spring flowers" she wrote Next day
there arrived al Buckingham Palace
a beautiful basket addressed to Prin-
cess Mary. The writing was that OF
Prince Henry When the Princess
opened the basket she found. taste
fully tied mp with hcIiotrope ribbon,
q huge bunch of caulihower.
Entire prohibition of the use Of
Beroplanes and other aircraft as in
struments of warfare. thus aNclud-
Ing the possibility of a new horror 10
civilization. and added peril TO life.
Is among the recommendations of the
British Peace Society for considera-
ton at the next Hague Conference.
The other suggestions of the So
ciety. to which Foreign Secretary Sir
Edward Grey has promised to give
careful consideration are: Provision
OF q general treaty of obligatory
arbitration: establishment of an
arbitral court Of justice: declaration
of immunity of private property OF
sea in time Of war; abolition OF pure
~ commercial blockade, that is OF
places which are not fortified; pro-
hibition Of explosive mines, at least
in waters lawfully used by neutral
ships: an agreement to put a check
on the growth OF naval and military
ornaments.
The recent placing of extra night
watchmen on duty in and around Buck
ingham Palace was not due altogether t.
fears of suifragettc attack. lt was