THE CONGO PUZZLE.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 91, 10 January 1908, Page 7

THE CONGO PUZZLE.

■ ' NATIVE; REVOLT.' BELGIAN FEARS OF ANNEXATION. BY .TELEGRAPH" —PRESS ASSOCIATION —COPyRICHT, Brussels, January .8. There is a growing feeling in Belgium against tlio annexation of tho Congo. . Many tribes aro in open revolt, and there has been intermittent hcav7 fighting in many districts. '

A great many Belgian people, while feeling : for'the persecuted natives of the Congo, dread annexation, because of the financial' burdens involved.: (The "Peuple," of Brussels, the mouthpiece of the Belgian Labour party, discussing an article by Mr. Morel (of the British Congo Reform Association), in" which-ho asks the three most prominent independent organs of the Belgian Press, representing.respectively tlio three .political: parties in. tlio State, whether they .are. prepared to 'recommend • annexations of the' Congo, based upon the total abolition of tlio present system, and restitution to the natives of their- economic rights as laid down in the Act of Berlin, replies by confirming the. vote passed by the Belgian Labour party deciding, against annexation. Tho "Peuple' adds"Even thougli we bo accused of tho most cynical anti-patriotism, wo declare solemnly that those in; England, or elsewhere, who, working with' the same end in view, undevtnke tho defence of tho oppressed natives of tho Congo aro not regarded by us as interlopers or adversaries. On tlio contrary, wo . honour them for defending with us the causo of humanity."