ENGLAND AND THE CONGO.

Auckland Star, Volume XL, Issue 253, 23 October 1909, Page 15

ENGLAND AND THE CONGO.

SIX A. CONAN DOYiDE'S (PROTEST.

Sir A. Conan Doyle, In the course of » letter on the Inactivity of England in regard to the reported atrocities in the Congo, writes:—

Our guilt of national acquiescence is only, second to that of the gang of cosmopolitan scoundrels who have been actively concerned in turning all Central Africa into m 'huge slave State, with such attendant horrors as even the dark story of the slave trade has never known. In the clave trad* the victim was of market value, and to that extent was protected from death or mutilation. In this case the State is the owner of all, so that if one toe dismembered at shot another is always available.

As I write, my study table is covered ■with photographs of these unhappy people. They bear the marks of the tortures they hare endured. Some have their feet lopped off, some -their hands. One Iβ a child, ear* prl'elngly beautiful and Intelligent eren by, European standards. His arm has been hacked off. Another with his right- foot and left hand missing stares before him with a strange, thoughtful, puzzled face. These are the people whom "in the name of Almighty God" we guaranteed. Under each of the mutilated frames might, in all, truth, be printed, "I was guaranteed by you."

The dreadful story Is a commonplace now. It Is Impossible, to deny any part of it. Ita authenticity comes from many sources, from missionary reports, Swedish, Belgian, and American, as well as (British, from official Consular dispatches, from the report of the Belgian Commission of 1005, from the memoirs of returned officers; above all, from the incorruptible evidence of the kodak. The story, I say. Is a commonplace, but It has been a commonplace for at least 14 years for those who chose to read the evidence. When is something going t* be done?

JUißt year the business 'was taken orer toy Belgium. There were hopes that method* would be changed. But they have not been changed. M. Renkin, colonial Minister of Belglum, has frankly eaid that they would not toe changed. He has gone out to the Congo to report. But he Is himself an ex-conces-slonalre, who has been a fervent defender of the system In the Parliament. As well send Rockefeller to report on the Standard Oil abuses! Are we children to be deluded by eueh devices as these? Do we not know. the course which events will take? M.Eenkin will return about Christmas. Sis more months will have been gained for squeezing the country. Then he must not 'be hurried In his report—six more mon-ths for that Then there is the legislation. Time must be allowed for that. Then legislation must ba gradually enforced; and co on and on through the time-honoured round. And all the time more mutilations, more murders, more extortions. In order that a rich King may be richer end a few companies pay 300 per cent. If we wait for any practical result from M. Henkin's visit then we wait, with our «y«e open, for at least three more years of this orgle of blood, luet, and greed. (What should be done? Tthe first thing la In a single comprehensive State paper to lay before every eivlUstd Power the evidence which e»U3~ for action, and to ask them to eonTene a European conference for the purpose of taking from Belgium a trust which has been so dreadfully abused, and making euch fresh arrangements, clilicr by an International government or l.jr i ;virUtion of the State amongst Its :< ' ', ••uirs, as may give some asenranrc .r ■-: rind honest treatment to these imhn;v. -i.iUvca,