THE CONGO

Otago Witness, Issue 2817, 4 March 1908, Page 28

THE CONGO

BELGIAN PREMIER DEFIANT. x KING LE.OPOLD CRITICISED. LONDON, February^ 27The House of Commons, after a weighty. debate, agreed to Mr Jones's resolution, which described the administration^ of the Congo as a destruction of personal liberty and the economic rights of thef native population and of the freedom of commercial intercourse with the outer; world, which had _ been guaranteed by. the Anglo-Congolese Convention of 1884 end the Berlin Act or 1885. Sir Edward Grey said that for 30 yearg no other external question had moved Britain so greatly. The Government's policy had been to encourage a real and foil transfer and effective parliamentary, control. If Belgium refused to undertake the responsibility, he was not aware who could. He did not believe that Belgium) ■would accept an exceedingly dangerous transfer, giving merely nominal response bility and control. Any semi-transfer,' leaving the real control in the hands of the present authoiities, would not be regarded by Britain as a guarantee of treaty rights. The new authority nuisti separate the administration from the trading element. The taxes should go to improve the condition of the people, and forced labour or veiled slavery should be abolished. The revenue had declined, and the Government of the Congo was compelled to provide funds for administration. He was willing to consider a* revision of the Customs duties to facilitate the task. Britain desired that Belgium's choice should be absolutely free and made with a full knowledge of the actual position. Britain would gladly co-operate with the other Powers.-' America's attitude was most important, and could not fail to influence opinion in Eirope. In the course of the debate in the House of Commons regarding the Congo Sir E. Grey further staled that when it was clear that Belgium intended to assume control of the Congo on satisfactory conditions they would discuss with Belgium in a friendly way all questions arising out of treaty rights. Should, however, the transfer not occur, Great Britain, held Herself free to deal wjfch the

question in her own way. T?ie Congo State as it existed had forfeited morally every right to international recognition, and if Belgium did not assume responsibility for the country the British Government would do its utmost to find means of securing practical results •in the matter of a reform of existing conditions in the Congo. Sir Edward concluded by accepting the resolution. — (Cheers.) ] The newspapers comment on Sir E. . Grey's grave words of warning to both the Congo and Macedonia. BRUSSELS, February 26. King Leopold's claims for personal compensation in connection with the Congo were so extravagant that the whole Cabinet threatened to resign, whereupon the King modified his demancls. Februarj 28. Belgium is profoundly impressed with the minatory tone of Sir Edward Grey's Congo speech. King Leopold's professed willingness to dispose of his private rights in the Crown domain for £5,000,000 provokes sharp criticism. February 29. In the Belgian Chamber of Deputies M. Schollaert (the Premier), in replying to Sir E. Grey's menaces, declared that Belgium was her own mistress, and was not responsible to England or to any other country. She refused to accept any advice or control on matters which were purely Belgian. He refused to cirouiate the translation of the British White Book

regarding the Congo. The Chamber by 76 votes to 56 supported M. Schollaert.