Newspaper Page Text
S VOLUME XI.
BRUNSWICK, GEORGIA, SATURDAY, JULY 11, 1885
NUMBER 4.
^ “THKJFIIKE STATE OF <HE CONGO.”
All Interesting Leltler from a Former
Brunawlcklftii' now In Africa.
Sierra Leone, Africa, June 11, ’85.
Editors Advebtmbb a»d Appeal «
Allow me space in your columns
for a brief sketch of ft subject which
has created considerable interest
among the European powers, as well
as the United States:
the basin of the Congo.
In the nntumn of 1876 ft movement
was initiated by the King of the Bel
gians which has resulted in impor
tant events for Africa, and great
changes in the relations of European
powers to the Equatorial regions of
the continent. At the King’s invita
tion representative geographers and
friends of Africa, of six different na
tions, met at Brussels, to discuss the
question of the exploration and civili
zation, and the means of opening up
the interior of the continent to the
commerce aud scientific enterprise of
■ the civilized world, also to consider
what meusures should be ndopted to
, extinguish the .scourge of slavery,
which, though almost stopped on the
consts, was known to coutinue its
desolating influence over wide and
populous districts of the interior.
In Ids opening address the Iiiug
stated that the subject which h«<l
brought them together was well
worthy to rank among those which
occupied the friends of humanity, and
that the neutral territory of Belgium
appeared to offer peculiar facilities for
stuiting ud international movement,
such ns they had in view. The con
ference lusted several days, aud be
fore separating, the assembly passed
certain resolutions setting forth the
objects apd defining the limits of the
• work to bo done.
Such whs the origin of the
INTERNATIONAL AFRICAN ASSOCIATION.
In pursuance of its programme na
tional committees were to be formed
in each of the countries"represented, to
collect funds for the purpose of co
operating in the dispatch of exploring
expeditions, and the founding of sta
tions as centres of civilizing influ
ence iu the interior of the continent.
But international co-operation was
of short duration in England, the
Council of the Royal 'Geographical
Society decided that such exploration
could be more effectually prosecuted
by England alone (prompted by Brit
ishers’ proverbial greed of territory),
aud tlie necessary funds more easily
p.ooured, through separate national
enterprise than by international as
sociation. Instead of the direct co
operation invited i.y the King of the
Belgians, the “African Exploration
Fund" was started in 1877, und with
public subscriptions obtained, the ex
pedition of Mr. Keith Johnson and
his successor, Mr. Joseph Thomson),
was sent to explore the direct route to
L a ties Nyn.-sn and Tanganyika. Nor
was the international character of ihe
scheme loug maintained in other
countries where committees were es
tablished; in tact, the movement de
generated rapidly into selfish nation.d
annexation of territory. The objects
set forth at the conference would never
have been attained had it not been
for the persevering nud generous ef
forts of the King of the Be’gians, and
the liberal expenditure of bis private
means. The committee over which
he prodded, sent out from til - East
coast, iu the course .if oignt years, no
less than seven large expeditions to-
wards Like Tanganyika, the first and
most important being that of K.renin
or, irs eastern shore.
Stanley’s disco very of the conoo
as a great highway into ttie interior
happened about this time, giving a
new impulse and direotion to the
work, attention was now directed to
Avestern coast. The King established
a preliminary committee of inquiry
called the "Cbmile d'etudes du Haut-
Oongo," by which Stanley was en
gaged and sent out on the mission
which led to such important conse
quences; the results of which caused
the Brussels committee to eulogize
its design. The Comite de’tudes was
expanded into the “Association Inter
national du Congo," with the Aim of
establishing n free State of the Congo.
In 1883 it was decided to establish
the Association on a firmer basis by
obtaining from the powers the recog
nition of its sovereign rights, acquired
by treaties from the native chiefs of
the Congo and Niadi-Kevilu region.
As a preliminary step it was neces
sary to define the rights thus acquired.
This was decided according to the
international law, by eminent jurists.
Among parellel cases cited were the
British North Boones Company, and
Liberia. Negotiations were com
menced with the. United States,
through Mr. Sanford, formerly U. S.
Minister at Brussels, who, after retir
ing from the diplomatic service, had
become a member of the Association.
Early in 1884 ho went to New York,
where his overtures were very favor
ably received. The press—especially
the New York Herald, published im
portant articles on the work of the
Association. The President, in his
annual message, made an exceedingly
friendly declaration, nnd proposed
recognition by the United States of
the sovereignty of the Association
was finally submitted to the Semite.
I give the following extracts from
Senator Morgan’s report on Foreign
Relations; as-being of interest:
“Our attitude towards that is ex
ceptional, and onr interest in its peo
ple is greatly enhanced by the fact
that more than oue-tentb of our pop
ulation is descended from the negro
races in Africa.
“The people of the United States,
with but little assistance from the
Government, have established a free
republic in Liberia, with a constitu
tion modeled after onr own, und un
der the control of the negro race.
Its area is 14,300 square miles; its
population is about 1,200,000 souls;
its commerce is valuable; ^its govern
ment is successful, nnd its people are
prosperous. The necessity for a ne
gro colony in Liberia was suggested
by the fact that slaves found iu ves
sels captured for violating the slave
trade laws und treatise were required
to be returned to Africa when that
was practicable, und wus impossible,
aud it would have been useless und
cruel to send them back to the locali
ties where they were first enslaved.
Humanity prompted several private
citizens of the United States to or
ganize the Atnericnn Colonization
Society in ni l of the return of enp-
ttired slave" to Africa, and to find a
congenial asylum und home for ne
groes who were emancipated in the
United States. Henry Clay wus for
many years President of this Associa
tion, and assisted it with Ihe influ
ence- of his great name and broad
philanthropy. The success of the
Liberian colouy has demonstrated the
usefulness of that system of dealing
with a social qnestioD, which is, to
the people of the United States, of
the highest importance. It has also
established a recognized precedent in
favor of the right of untitled individ
uals to found States in the interests of
civilization iu barbarous countries,
through the consent of local authori
ties, und it hun given confidence to
those who look to the justice of the
nations for a restoration of the eman
cipated Africans of their 6wn country,
if they choose to return to it. This
pleasing history of progress, attended
with peace and prosperity in Liberia,
has given rise to a feeling ofj interest
amongst the people of the United
States in the questions which arise
from the recent discovery by their
countryman, H. H. Stanley, of the
great river which drains equatorial
Africa. They rejoice in the revela
tion that this natural highway affords
navigation for steamers, extending
more than half the distance across the
continent, and opens to civilization
the valley of the CoDgo, with its 900,-
000 square miles of fertile territory,
and its 60,000,000 of people who uro
soon to become a most nsefal faction
in the increase of the productions of
the earth and swelling the volume of
commerce.
“THE AFRICAN INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION
established its stations and opened
roads leading from one to another
around the falls of the Congo in the
Same way that the older factories bad
been established, with the additional
fact in their favor that their settle
ments were always preceded by
an open agreement with the local
government in tbo form of a treaty.
A flag was necessary for the purposes
of their settlement, and as an indica
tion of their right, and to designate
the places under their control, as it
wns to the slaves traders, whose only
advantage is that they have been iu
possession a loug time for the pur
poses of .nefarious traffic in slaves,
while the Association bos been in
possession only a short time for the
benign purposes of introdaciog civili
zation into that country, ^Having no
foreign flag that thefcohld" jnetly
claim, they ndopted a flag nnd dis
played it—a golden star in a field of
blue—the symbol of hope to a strong
hut ignorant people, nnd of prosper
ity through peace. The native peo
ple :.nstioetively regard that as the
first bauner they had seen that prom
ised them good will nnd security, aud
tliAy readily yielded to it their confi
dence. The golden star of the ban
ner of the International Association
represents hospitality to the people
nud commerce for all nations in the
Free State of the Congo; civilization,
order, pence and security to the per
sons and property of those who visit
the Congo couutry, as well ns to its
inhabitants."
THE DISCUSSION IN THE SENATE
lasted several days, resulting in a
vote favorable to the Association.
The President wns authorized to re
cognize its flag as that of a friendly
government, and declarations were
shortly nfterwards exchunged between
the United States Government and
the Agent of the Association. About
that time a convention wns made with
France, which was a virtual recogni
tion by that power of its sovereign
rights. Shortly afterwards a confer
ence on West Africnn affairs was held
at Berlin, its object being to secure
freedom of commerce iu the basin ill
tlie Congo, free navigation of the
Congo and Niger rivers, and the es
tablishing of regulations for future
National acquisitions of territory in
Africa. It would be hardly possible
to give fully the several provisions of
the "Acte Gener.de” passed by the
conference, on account of lack of
space; it will suffice to give briefly
their general import with their bear
ing on politcal geography.
The principal of free commerce, in
its hrnadest sense, was established iu
the Congo basin—a insritirio belt of
360 miles along the Atlantic, was
placed on u like footing, and its fn-
turo extension to the east coast made
probable on a much larger scale. Iu
this immense territory ho import du
ties will be levied for twenty years to
come, nor will such tines ever be ex
acted in the possession of the Inter
national Association, which by far
constitutes the largest part.
Whito men nnd natives are placed
upon the same footing;, all religions
are tolerated, whilst the protection of
tbo natives and proscription of the
slave trade are the fundamental prin
cipals of publio law iu the States nnd
colonies of Central Africa. It was
provided that Stntes constituted in
the basin of the Congo will have the
right of neutralizing ibeir possessions,
eitheir temporarily or perpetnully.
One of the dispositions ndopted by
the conference tends to prevent Eu
ropean wars from extending to Africa,
and iu the event of disagreements
arising in Africa between the Powers
of the basin of the Congo, recourse
will be had to mediation, if not arbi
tration. The free navigation of the
Congo and its tributaries was pro
claimed, comprising an extent of
nbcut 6,000 kilotus (3,100 miles) open
to flags of all nations, and what ap
plies to the liver will, accordifig to a
somewhat origiunl idea, apply also to
railway, canal, or road, supplying the
place of any obstructed part of the
river. The transit dues are only to
be as much us will compensate the
cost of works executed in the bed of
the river, or on its banks. The not
passed declares the navigations of the
Congo shall be open in time of war
for ships of nil nations, both belliger
ent nnd ncutrul, private property is
to bo respected on all waters gov
erned by the net.
Whilst the conference was sitting
at Berlin the Association concluded
treatise with all the principal powers
of Europe, whereby it was ogreed that
they recognize its flag us that of a
friendly State, the Association grant
ing to ull the subjects of these Pow
ers full rights. A final nrraugement
was made by which the much disputed
question of the ancient claims of Por
tugal to the mouth of tbo Congo wus
definitely decided, nnd a new region
opened to the commerce of the world.
The frontiers of the Powers will be
best studied ou a map illustrating that
region; but I may -mention that by
the treaty with Portugal this Power
gets the south or left bank of the
Coogo from its mouth to Nokki, n
distance of ninety miles, where ie a
Portugese and a French factory—the
Association retaining the right bank
with twenty-three miles of coast run
ning Panama to a point south of
Kabinda Bay.
FRANCE POSSESSES THE WTIOLE OF
the vulley Kerilee, cullod ou its upper
reaches Niadi. The Association re
tain the left bank of Stanley Pool.
The river Likoua forms the boundary
between Africa, France and the Fres
State.
Beyond this agaiu the territory of
the latter widens considerably, com
prising u wide, unexplored belt on
either side the river to Lakes Tanga
nyika and Bangeveolo.
I have endeavored to show the nr-
tgiu of the International Association,
and have briefly traced the events
which led to the formafioc of the
“Five State of the Congo," let me
sav a few words on the present si-
tion of its affairs ami immediate pros
pects. Hitherto the porters employed
on the Congo have mostly been men
from the East coast, natives of Zanzi
bar, a lighter colored rnce (probably
owing to infusion of Arab blood)
than the negro of Central Africa.
Tbo ZiDzibaries have been of great
-use as iutermediariea between the
European and the natives, whose
language resemble sufficiently for
them to understand one another.
Being farther advanced in civilization,
and Mohammedans, they, bold them
selves above the natives for whose
fetishism they have a contempt.
Those whose term of office is expired,
or in tho course of expiration, prefer
returning to Zanzibar rather than
remain ou the Congo, and it is re
ported no more will be engaged. So,
in future, native porters will have to
be depended apon to supply their
places. Of these, some 1,200 were, 1
by last accounts, carryiug londs to
Stanley Pool, of whom from five to
six hundred were transporting the
steamer Stanley to the pool. A reg
ular supply of the natives under
present conditions, is of great impor
tance, ns until a railway is made com
munication between Vivi and Isaagb-
ila, and between Mauyuuga and
Leopoldville, rnnet be kept open by
them.
ANOTHER TROUBLE
is the necessity of providing an armed
force to protect tho stations it) the
event of attack, and to n semblance
if not a reality of strength to tho es
tablishment. They have tried the
recruiting of Honssas from tho dis
tricts of the Nigor, bnt the experi
ment failed. These blacks Lave war
like instincts and of n soldierly mein.
They are organized ioton police force
nt Lagos, and served ns auxiliaries
in the Ashanti war. On the Congo,
however, they appear to hove stiown
a spirit of subordination becoming
rather troublesome. In future they
will not be employed, but it will be
bard to find efficient substitutes. It
is thought to be risky to trnst the na
tives with rifles at present.’
It is pleasing to turn from these
clouds in the “Congo Free State”
nnd record its triumphs. Mr. Fisdal,
the United States Representative,
has arrived at Yivi, and proceeded
thence to Stanley Pool, that govern
ment being the first to recoguize the
sovereignty of tbe Free State, and
also to accredit it their representa
tive.
It is also reported that the new
stern-wheel steamer Stanley, for the
navigation of the' Upper Congo, was
approaching Iter destination, being
transported in section, and before
this bits probably t arrived at Liver
pool.
The “Stanley" beiDg the sixth
steamer launched ou the upper Con
go, the other five lieiug the “Eu
Avant,” “Association Iuteruaternn-
tional,” and “Eclnireur,” belong to
tbe Association, and the “Peace,” be
longing to tbe Baptist Mission, it
Is expected by tiie more sangnine
that tbe basin of the Congo will prove
a great blessing e- < n • 1 1 '‘be over
populated cgauuien ut Europe, be
coming a second “United States” in
in tbe family of nations; but time
alone cud tell, and should the couutry
ever become monerately inhabited by
white men, it must be iu the distant
future. Julian M. Burnett.
norcalllr In War Times.
From official records of the war
department based on the losses given
and the total number of men furnish
ed by the States and Territories dar
ing the war it Hppenre:
Out of every sixty-five men one
man wan killed in ui-tiou.
Ont of every fifty-iix men one man
died of wounds received in action.
Ont of every thirteen men one man'
died while in Bervice.'
Ont of every fifteen men one m «n ■
wns cttptnred or r. ported missing.
Ont of every let) men one mm mu
wounded in iti-li.in.
Out of .-very seven ne n cap. r (
one died while iu captivity. *
