The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-01-19
Certain Amount of Autonomy
viii Be Allowed Belgian
Crown Colony.
BY LA MAnauisE DE ToNrENoY.

BY LA MARaUiSE DE TONTENOY.
" INC ALBERT. who. over since his
visit TO Africa. prior to his ac-
cession TO the throne. has dis
played very pronounced interest lin
everything pertaining to the Congo
Valley, and to whom, moreover, the
drastic reforms of the terrible abuses
that married tho rule OF hin uncle, the
late Leopold H.. over the former Congo
FREQ State are mainly due, has an
nounced to the Belgia log islaturc the
immtnence of radical change in the
government of what has now been
converted Into n Belgian crown colony.
Tho administration OF Belgian Con-
goland by Belgian officials. under the
immediate orders OF government
colonial department at Brussels, ac-
King. is an immense Improvement over
the former despotic sway of the
Congo state satraps. independent Of
all control and supervision. save that
of Leopold H., in his carucity. not as
King of the Belgians, but as sovereign
of the Free State.
Stlll. the present administration OF
Congoland remains far from satisfac-
tory to King Albert He has found
that Brussels is too far distant from
his huge Congo colony to admit OF the
the Belgian metropolis. that much time
and opportunity are wasted In having
to refer every question. even mere
matters of detail. TO the colonial dc
partment at Brussels. and that. more
over, the officials OF this department
are unable through ignorance of local
conditions In Congoland. to form any
correct Judgment as to what shout
be done or left undone there.
Consequently. King Albert has di-
rected his Cabinet to submit to the ma
tional Legislature OF Belgium bill
providing for the esta blshment of Il
ertain amount of autonomy in Con
goland. investing the white colonists
there with Legislative rights. such as
those enjoyed by the crown colonists
Of Great Britain. a considerable lati-
tude is to be accorded to the Congo
Legislative council and officials in all
local matters. They are. however, ac-
countable to the Belgian government
and Parliament, and the governor gen
cral OF tho colony will act as the
representative of tho sovereign. and.
appointed by the King. will possess
the same extensive rights Us the gov
ernors OF British crown colonies.
Albert hopes In this way to simplify
the government of the colony, to 10
away with considerable amount of
red tape and expense, and, at the same
time. to rid the huge empire of Bel
GUM I'm West and Central Africa of
the administrative trammels which
arc at present restricting and inter-
fering with Its development and pros
perlty.
The King spent n number OF months
in the valley OF the Congo. as heir ap-
parent, and made thorough eSamina-
ton of ;ts. at that time intolera BILE
conditions II vas no mere royal pro-
gress, but very searching invcstiga
ton. undertaken regardless OF dis
comfort. fatigue and danger OF local
epidemics. King Albert, therefore.
knows to-day more about Congoland,
from intimate personal acquaintance,
than any of his ministers OF state. and.
. indeed, than any of the members OF
either OF the houses OF the national
Legislature of Belgium
Sir Harold Ha1msworth's recent ele-
walton to peerage on tho occasion of
the New Year. will have tho effect OF
adding to the number OF pairs OF
brothers that occupy seats in the
House of Lords. Sir Harold will. how
ever, take his place among the peers
Of the Liberal party, whereas his