CONGO FREE STATE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 6311, 11 September 1907, Page 5

CONGO FREE STATE

DEFEATING THE TERMS OF A CONVENTION By Telegraph—Press Association-- Copyright < BRUSSELS, September 9. There is great indignation in Belgium at the Congo State having on the eve of annexation, placed King Leopold’s territories, comprising a domain of 389,375 square kilometres, under ‘the control oi a dovolopin-ent syndicate.' Belgians iiad considered that the domain would have reverted to the Belgian Crown in the event ot annexation. The Congo Free State was constituted at the International Congo Conference of Berlin in 1885, its status as a sovereign thunder Leopold 11.. King.of Belgium, being recognised. In 1890 Belgium was given the right of annexation after ten years, this term expiring on June 3rd, 1901. The Belgian Government, after considerable disoussion, carried a Bill suspending th© Payment of interest or capital in respect of the loans advanced by Belgium to the Congo Free State, with a view to their being wiped out eventually by the annexation of the State to Belgium. The Bill reaffirmed Belgium’s right of option to annex the State, the understanding being that the King should choose the moment for annexation, his Majesty’s will securing the State to Belgium in the event, of his death. There is a Central Government at (Brussels, and a Governor-General and local Government at Boma.