CONGO ATROCITIES.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 175, 18 April 1908, Page 5

CONGO ATROCITIES.

SOME DENIALS. NO OBSTACLES TO TRADE. FORCED LABOUR. BY TELEGBArH—MESS ASSOCIATION— COFTRIOHI Brussels, April 15. The Congo Free Stato authorities declare that many of the assertions contained in the reports of the British consuls are erroneous. They insist that the natives are free if they pay taxes in money, and deny that obstacles an placed in the way of foreign trade. TAXATION AND' FORCED LABOUR. : Tho administration of the Congo Free Stato argues along the following lines: There is 110 country progressing towards civilisation the inhabitants of which do not have to pay a tax. '"But," adds tho administration,'"it is not always possible to exact payment in money, and any such requirement would be cruel'in the absenco of currency. This is tho case with the Freo State. It seems to be supposed that the labour tax and forced labour are de regie in the Congo. There are no compulsory personal services (prestations) except those coming under the head of . conscription. Tho conscription is regulated by a decree of June, 3, 190S, which, in with the suggestions of. the Commission of Inquiry, divides tho annual contingent into two sections—the first destined for military service, the second including the labourers necessary for the intended works of public utility. The labourers are.obliged to serve for a maximum period of five years, v.-hicli may be divided into several periods. In prin-' ciple tho tax is' payable in money. > It may, not be less than Gf: nor more than 2-tf. a year. But the natives call pay the tai either in produce or in labour. The labour tax, therefore, is not, and cannot be, exacted "except in default of ( payment in money or produce." On which "The Times" correspondent comments that the arguments have so ironical a ring that they can hardly be intended to be taken seriously. . ' ■ '