Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1959-04-03
BeIeins Admit
Days OF Complete
Congo Rule Numbered
~ W D.. Dashiauist

Belgian i1HgOi
Fseigtans generally admit that
the days Of The government in It's
present form are numbered. Euro
psaus In the government services
zoe themselves out ~ Jobs In the
next teu years
But while private citizens arc
not hopeful ~ the colonial status
being maintained for long. they
are nevertheless optimistic about
their oun future IN native-con-
trotled government. They believe
there win be a need for their
services IN The administration ~
the Cougo's far flung industrial ac-
tiWtles for many years 10 come
Ard II the transition from colonial
status 10 native control follows
the pattern that seems to have
been established in other coun-
tries N the continent they probably
are correct in this conclusion
~ l. significant that foreign
capital n not being withdrawn
from the area because ~ the
changes that are IN the making
There ARE enormous investments
~ foreign capital that have
made the Belgian Congo one Of
the richest countries In Africa.
Reports Indicate that further
expansion In several important
Industrial fields ARE stiii being
given serious consideration.
But not all the Investments IN
the economic development Of the
Belgian Congo have been made BY
large corporations There are
thousands ~ whites established
here IN Httlc Industries Of their
own development and in the ag
Eragrata, these small operations
add NJ 20 an impressive total IN
the commerce o. the Congo and in
the employment " its native
people The passenger list of this
river boat Includes husband md
wife who probably are typical u
many ~ these small successful
operators
Mr. and Mrs Alphonse NJ d"
Brohandere operate a plantation
and nfnher min back in the brush
on branch 81 the Congo about
goo milas east OF f.eopoliville
Alphonse ia Heigian and Liiy
IL Fugbah There's ls an interest
ing story ard fits into the pattern
81 possible future developments
tn national Iand-uso program
From both the economic and SOC
lal standpoint their operation prob
ably significant than aoms Of tbs
huge mining and Industrial opetn-
ttona that command more alton
ton
Alpbonse. nov IN his middle
SOS. Is an engineer professionally
and came here in that capacity Tor
the company that operates tho riv
or shipping industry In tets he ard
IAly decided 20 try their hand at
numbering They bought q tract
~ land that had a good stand 81
mahogany. about 900 acres Of
Jungle. There Is cash market for
mahogany and they could survive
the early years They had no cx-
pcricnce and little capital but
this hack was offset by an ahund
ance Of courage and determine
tlou They now look back on ten
good years
Alphonse and Lily own their
original 900 acres which now Is
nearly all cleared and Is being put
into coffee They expect 20 harvest
this first crop THIS year from
trees planted three years ago
Each year the coffee acreage has
been extended and they look for.
ward TO this becoming their main
activity
Their lumber business IN the
meantime has not been neglected
Each year they have bought the
ripe trees on tracts ot about 500
acres rhis gives them enough an
nuai production 30 keep their saw
mill huay Their operations now