The Congo

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29264, 23 July 1960, Page 3

The Congo

Sir, —As a Belgian woman I read Mr Wheeler’s assertion regarding “the Belgians reaping what they sowed” with distress. I have never noticed any race distinction in Belgium itself. Black and white all mixed freely. I would like to draw his attention to the good work which was done in the Congo—missionary work, the building of hospitals, churches, and schools, al! to the benefit of black people. In Belgium every school and many shops have a Congolese collection box and everyone always contributed gladly towards this purpose. Would one call that “inconceivable Belgian brutality?" One should surely not blame Belgians or Congolese bpt the ones who grasped This opportunity to Unleash their brutal instincts and caused such unhappiness for both black and white.—Yours, etc., BRUSSELS SPROUT. July 22. 1960.

Sir, —Doubtless many soberminded people will endorse the sensible observations of Mr B. B. Thompson regarding the recent deplorable events in the Congo. I, too, have waited in vain for some expressions of sympathy with the innocent victims of inhuman brutality from those who have been so vociferous in their condemnation of alleged savagery in the handling of rioting Africans. And what of the profound statements, pious resolutions, petitions, and mass hysteria which flooded this country recently on an Issue which surely must be of relative insignificance compared with the Congo atrocities? What would be the attitude of these people if their wives and children were subjected to attacks of a similar nature? Mr Thompson should not be unduly concerned at muddleheaded criticism bolstered with suspect quotations Including one from a notorious traitor who met a richly deserved fate on the scaffold.—Yours, etc., ANTI-HUMBUG. July 22, 1960.