CONGOLAND.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9641, 5 November 1909, Page 4

CONGOLAND.

For the second time within the last month or two Sir Edward Grey has pointedly drawn attention to the unsatisfactory condition of affairs in the Congo Free State, which has been ostensibly "annexed" by Belgium in accordance with the arrangement made when the Powers in con ference at Brussels handed it over to King Leopold in order that he might "ameliorate the condition of the natives" in that unhappy country. King Leopold's idea ,of ameliorating the condition of the natives was to institute [vl "regime in which his:

agents in Congoland employed native soldiers to mutilate the rubber gatherers if they did not brine in the prescribed quantum of rubber for the replenishing of the kiner's private finances. King Leopold has now handed over the greater part of the satirically-named "Free State" to the Belgian Government, and the Beligan Parliament last year passed an enactment assuming control of the country on certain conditions which virtually retain King Leopold as owner of the profits, and which make no real change in the conditions under which the forced labour* of rubber gathering is extorted from the miserable population. The British Government has refused to recognise this so-called annexation by Belgium; but whenever the British Government sends a Note pointing out to Belgium that she has not fulfilled her obligation to ameliorate the condition of the natives, the Bdtrian I Government at once turns to Germany for support, and Germany, which is always ready as a matter of sound statesmanship to embarrass Great Britain wherever possible, has openly espoused the cause of Bel gium. This, then, is the "unpleasant complication" which Sir Edward Grey sees looming ahead. It might seem incredible that serious trouble between England and Germany couid be brought about unfortunate situation in the Congo Free State, but Sir Edward Grey's repeated references Jto the subject shows that it cannot be dismissed as negligible.