The Dominion.d THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 1908. THE SCANDAL OF THE CONGO FREE STATE.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 138, 5 March 1908, Page 6

The Dominion.d THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 1908. THE SCANDAL OF THE CONGO FREE STATE.

TwEivTi-T-tiREE years have elapsed since the representatives of the various European States at • the' Berlin Conference agreed to recognise, the Congo Free State as aii independent Power. The scheme of government, as origin- 1 ally conceived, was hailed with enthusiasm. ' On May 29, 1885,. " The Times" described the project as " dazzling, new, and attractive;" and continued Nothing then remains but for the State to develop its resources. "What the Powers can do'for it has been done—Belgium has saluted. King Leopold as ' Sovereign of the Congo,' and all that remains is for merchants and missionaries, colonists and natives, to work together for the development of the vast resources of 'the country." The most powerful influences brought about the creation of the Congo Free State. It was a humanitarian venture unique in magnitude and earnestness of purpose,, llecent explorations in Central Africa were described as revealing to the world a dark picture of human misery ; ignorant: and . helpless people trembling under the tyranny of brutal, chiefs, the prevalence of loathsome superstitions, cannibalism, and human sacrifices; communities laid wa?te by inter-tribal wars, and whole districts devastated by the ravages of Arab slave caravans. To confer the benefits of civilisation on the unhappy native races, and to suppress the hideous traffic in humanity that Livingstone termed ." the open sore of the world,"- was a task that deserved the sympathy of all civilised persons, and on this definite understanding the Congo Free State obtained the cordial support of philanthropists of every nationality. , . '

The , gradual falling, away from its original high purpose can be traced with, a degree, of exactitude and precision that renders the present powerful indictment by public opinion throughout the world of the administration of the Congo warranted and justifiable. The " Spectator," that staid and conservative organ of the best English opinion, is moved to an unusual pitch of indignation. It speaks of " a revolting. brutality that makes the blood run cold," and places all responsibility upon the shoulders of King Leopold alone. " Everywhere in Europe and America," it declares, J' the cojmexice3-j3i.lifliiest..mea have

been stirred; by the astounding and amply substantiated tales of Congo maladministration." In at least one 1 European Cabinet Leopold II has been characterised as a tiger born with an insatiable lust for human blood, and as the possessor of a cqnscience 'indurated against evidence, against shame,_ against the terror of an immortality of bad renown." ' Sir Edward Grey affirms that the Autocrat of the Congo,' whose vast rubber domain has been stained with the blood of twenty millions of natives, shall be forced- to recognise his responsibilities. M.' Sjbhollaert, m his reply in the Belgian Chamber, makes a grave error in declaring that Belgium was her own mistress, and was not responsible to or any other country, and did not purpose accepting advice as to the control of matters that' were purely Belgian. The_ Congo is not yet under tlie suzerainty of Belgium, and' is inot; likely to be. Quite apart from the argument as a great moral issue, the Powers of Europe will , not tolerate the anachronism of an insignificant State, not half the •area, of Ireland, owning neither navy, nor mercantile marine, , and with no colonial experience', annexing- a great tropical dependency larger .than Germany, Austro-Hun-gary, France, Italy,' Switzerland, and Portugal combined. Moreover, the Berlin Act is not obsolete, although Belgium has been guilty of the grossest bad faith towards the Bowel's signatory to the Act, and has done much' forifie moral and actual; invalidation of its purpose. It is a: significant and sinister fact that the report of the' Inquiry- Commission, appointed By Leopold himselfj has/been chiefly instrumental in moving the British Government to a determination to effect, drastic reforms, notwithstanding that much of the evidence gathered by the Commission was suppressed, and the remainder subjected to a severe .censorship,; by the King himself.. The moyement_ for Congo reform in the United Kingdom, has gained irresistible volume and 'momentum. It has united men in every walk of/life; Conservative and Liberal and Labour members of Parliament, bishops and Free Church leaders, /merchants, men with great experience of affairs, professional men, have ■ become one in a common determination to- bring to a close a condition of things summarised: by Lord Lansdowne as "Bondage un-; der the most barbarous and inhuman conditions, imposed' for mercenary motives/of the most selfish character."