The Dallas express. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1893-1970, 1922-09-23

there. There was often keen conflicts
between expeditions of Stanley and
in Berlin in 1885 an agreement was
reached between the two nations. IL
was hard and fast bargain on the
part of France, under its conditions a
Congo Independent State was created
under the sovereignty of the king of
the Belgians. but to gain the con-
sent Of France to such departure
was obtained by turning over to France
much of the northern and western wa
tersheds of the Congo, these conditions
also carried with 1t the pledge that
II ever the Congo Independent State
should pass from the Belgians to
another Power, FIance should have
the. priority rights 1t is most inter-
esting to note how from the land
ing OF Sd0GO troops, In Algiers in The
year 1880 the French have gained the
largest unbrolSen territorial holdings
ON the Continent of Africa It is more
interesting to note that but a small
amount of French blood has been shed
IN the conflict-he has been sharp
enough to array black man against
black man to carry out his purpose.
AT first the French method of gov
eminent OF the new countries was
from central government under
the name of the French Congo"
but this method was soon changed
sinarie" plan, which had attracted
King Leopold IL. in the administra-
ton OF the Congo Free STATE This
plan called for the turning over to
developing companies certain territory
ranging from 30 to as thousand
privileges of trading and exploitation
of such other valuables as might be
found in the territory. The outstand-
ing evil of this policy lies in the
fact that it did not only turn lver
to these interest the conn 6rcial
grant carried with it the control of
whatever human population such ter
ritory contained--in fine Ii was but
introducing an improved form of slav-
cry, as in most cases these companies
could never bring themselves to think
of the natives as having rights or
even as being a part of the human
family We meet one of the great
human problems that Will not down
at wili--thc native has remained in
almost every case IN a savage or
imi-savage state. He has roamed
in total ignorance of the untold wealth
locked in the bowels of the earth. and
a surface soil capable of producing
sufficient food 10 supply the human
FAMILY. we must think that an al
wise Providence put T. all there for
the coed of mankind and If the abo-
rhymes do nos exploit it the forei gner
must That the reader may glimpse
this subject as II Is viewed by one
Of the greatest students of African
history and conditions both political
and scotland OF whom II must be
said in large measure s fair in his
grasp OF the subject. He says adj
dressing himself to the Concession
ar'e" policy-sTt is only fair TO
quote the justification for the policy
Of concessions. charters, and other
documents comforting special privil- |
eyes. 1t is desired--in the interest
Of the native as well as the over
ruling European government--to at
tract capitol to the opening up and
exploiting OF the natural riches Of |
Africa, riches Of which the native |
has remained in utter ignorance for
OF years. To invite in
Of capital some security |
must be given that the immediate |
fruits of the investors labors and ex- !
penditure will not be unfairly garn- |
sred by others who have not idn the |
ike risks. No one questions the right |
II the native. in varying degree, to i
air portion, or the land the area
being determined By his numbers.
Continued on page 81