Full text of "Evidence laid before the Congo Commission of Inquiry at Bwembu, Bolobo, Lulanga, Baringa, Bongandanga, Ikau, Bonginda, and Monsembe. Together with a summary of events (and documents connected therewith) on the A.B.I.R. concession since the Commission visited that territory"

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GS2
K7

$B Sfi lfl3

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA

S£^ 20 1905

PRES^

EWDEHCE

LAID BEFORE THE

CONGO C0nrtI55I0R
OF INQUIRY

BWEMBU, BOLOBO, LULANGA,
BARINGA, BONGANDANGA, IKAU,
BONGINDA, AND MONSEMBE.

Together with a SUMMARY OF EVENTS (and

Documents connected therewith) on the A.B.I.R.

Concession since the Commission visited that
territory.

Issued by the Conoo Reform Association,

LIVERPOOL :

John Richardson & Sons, Printers, 14-18, Pall Mall.
1905.

^\\t €mp %i\Ut\i{ ^$$o^iatiott.

The KicxHT Hon. EARL BEAUCHAMP, K.C.M.G.

The Right Hon. Earl Beanchamp, K.C.M.G. (President).

The Right Hon. the Earl of Aberdeen.

The Right Hon. the Earl of Listowel, K.P.

The Right Rev. the Lord Bishop of Liverpool.

Sir Gilbert Parker, M.P.

C. M. Douglas, Esq., M.P.

Alfred Emmott, Esq., M.P.

Herbert Samuel, Esq., M.P.

Austin Taylor, Esq., M.P.

G. Harold Brabner, Esq. (Hon. Treasurer).

Rev. R. J. Campbell, M.A., D.D.

E. D. Morel, Esq. (Hon. Secretary).
Rev. J. Clifford, M.A., D.D.

H. Grattan Guinness, Esq., M.D.

Henry N. Gladstone, Esq.

John Holt, Esq.

Colonel Stopford (African Society).

Rev. Canon Scott Holland.

J. St. Loe Strachey, Esq. ♦

F. Swanzy, Esq.
Professor L. R. Wilberforce.

-Right Hon. Sir Chas. Dilke, Bart., M.P.

=:=F. W. Fox, Esq.

'^H. R. Fox Bourne, Esq.

* Serving on behalf of the Aborigines' Protection Society.

E. D. Morel, Esq., Hawarden, Chester.

Miss Violet A. Simpson, 7, Trebovir Road, Earl's Court, London, S.W.

G. Harold Brabner, Esq., 20, North John Street, Liverpool,

Membership of the Congo Reform Association can be obtained on the
payment of Ten Shillings yearly, this sum to include the regular monthly
delivery, post free, of the Journal of the Association, together— as funds
permit— with any literature on the subject which may be desired for further
information or distribution ; also notice of London or Provincial Meetings.

It is specially to be noted that all officers of the Association are unpaid
Subscriptions and Donations defraying expenses only.

Application for Membership to be made to the Hon. Secretary. E. D.
MOREL, Esq., Hawarden. Chester, to the Hon. Treasurer, G. HAROLD
RRABNER, fcsq., 20, North John Street, Liveroool. or to the Assistant Hon.
Secretary. Miss VIOLET A. SIMPSON, 7, Trebovir Road, Earl's Court,
London, S.W.

CONTENTS.

SECTION I.

Evidence taken by Commission.

PAGES

I. Mr. Billington, at Bwenibu ... ... ... 7

II. Messrs. Clark, Grenfell and Scrivener, at Bolobo 7-13

III. Mr. Gilchrist, at Lulanga 13-18

IV. Messrs. Harris and Stannard, at Baringa ... 19-30

V. Messrs. Kuskin and Gamman, at Bongandanga 30-37

VI. Mr. and Mrs. Lower, at Ikau 37-46

VII. Mr. Padfield, at Bonginda 46 53

VIII. Mr. Weeks, at Monsembe 53-61

SECTION II.

Part 1.

Evidence not taken by Commission.

I. Mr. Harris to the President of the Commission,

giving evidence of Chief from Boendo

(Jan. 5th, 1905) ... ... 62.63

II. Letter from Mr. Gregoire (Secretary" of the

Commission) to Mr. Harris (Feb. 2nd, 1905) ... 63, 64

III. Letter from Mr. Harris to the Vice-Governor-

General, giving particulars of Nsongo-Mboyo
massacres .. ... 65-69

Part II.

The Regulations laid down by the Commission. The Visit

of M. Malfeyt, the Royal High Commissioner to Baringa,

and the sequel.

I. The regulations and the visit ... .... ... 70, 71

II. Eepudiation of the Commission ... 71, 72

III. Renewal of the reign of oppression, outrage, and

massacre ... ... ... ... ... ... 72-80

365229

Part II. — Continued.

PAGBS.

(a) Letter from Mr. Harris to the Commissaire de

District (April 10th, 1905J 72-75

(b) Extract of letter from Mr. Stannard to Mr. Morel

(April 7th, 1905) 75

i)*s«nc< (April 26th, 1905) ... 76-80

(d) Extract of letter from Mr. Harris to Dr. Guinness

(April 20th, 1905) 80

Part III.

Hostage taking for Rubber.

(a) Extract from proceedings at the trial of M. Van

Caelcken 80, 81

(b) Proofs of official recognition given to the practice 81-83

(d) The scandal of Governor-General Wahis' return

to the Congo 84-86

Part IV.

Correspondence with the British Government.

I. Congo Reform Association to Marquess of

Lansdowne (May 31st) 86-89

IL Marquess of Lansdowne to C. E. A. (June 14th) ... 89

III. C. R. A. to Marquess of Lansdowne (June 15th) ... 90, 91

IV. Marquess of Lansdowne to C. R. A. (June 22nd) 91

V. C. R. A. to Marquess of Lansdowne (June 27th) .. 92, 93

VI. Marquess of Lansdowne to C. E. A. (July 5th) 93

VII. C. R. A. to Marquess of Lansdowne (June 28th) ... 94

VIII. Marquess of Lansdowne to C. R. A. (July 6th) ... 95

IX. C. R. A. to Marquess of Lansdowne (July 12th) ... 96

PRSFnce.

The Commission of Inquiry appointed last year by the Sovereign
of the Congo State to investigate specific charges of atrocities and
gross abuses, alleged to be prevailing in certain districts of the
Congo State, returned to Belgium early in March last.

Its Report has not been published.

A statement appeared recently in the Press that the Com-
mission would hand its Report to the Sovereign of the Congo State
towards the end of August.

Assuming the statement to be accurate, there is still nothing
to show when that Report will be published, or in what form it
will be presented ultimately to the world.

The Congo Reform Association considers it necessary, therefore,
in the public interest, to issue in concise and readable form the
evidence laid before the Commission at various places whence the
Association published information in 1903 and 1904.

Together with this evidence, there will be found in the present
publication, a summary of the events — with documents relating
thereto — which have taken place in the A.B.I.R. Concession since
the Commission returned.

A map of the Congo State is attached, on which the route
followed by the Commission is traced.

6
The Congo Reform Association has stated publicly the grounds
upon which is based its view that both in composition, in the area
of investigation, in the time employed, and in the very nature of
the case necessitating enquiry; the Commission has been wholly
inadequate to meet public requirements. To that view the Associa-
tion adheres absolutely, and finds an additional justification for it
in the events now taking place in the Lopori-Maringa region,
proving, as they do, how powerless has been the influence of the
Commission to alter a state of affairs, connived at, and in some
cases — as is shown by ojficial documents — openly inspired by the
Executive.

The indictment brought by the Association is directed against
an entire system of administration, " if^ indeed, administration it
can be called."* It is not primarily directed against abuses com-
mitted by individuals, which, in its view, are the direct, necessary
and inevitable results of the system it condemns and calls upon
Civilisation to take effective measures to suppress; a system repos-
ing upon personal claims, and upon the exercise of personal claims,
which this Association declares to be opposed to humanity, and to
International pledges.

The Association desires to place on record its belief that the
Commission heard the evidence placed before it with fairness and
impartiality.

E. D. MOREL,

Hon. Secretary.

Hawarden, July 10th, 1905.

♦ Lord Cromer, vide Africa No. 1, 1904.

SECTION I.

THE EVIDENCE

Messrs. Billington, of the American Baptist Missionary Union at
Bwerabu; Messrs. Clark, Grenfell and Scrivener at Bolobo.

Area affected : — Domaine Prive and Domaine de la Couronne.

The Commission of Inquiry called at Bwembu on its way up
the Congo River. Bwembu is a station of the American Baptist
Missionary Union on the Tchumbiri River. The Commission only
stopped for one hour at Bwembu. Mr. Billington was asked to
make a statement and sign it, which he did^ afterwards sending
to the President another letter dealing with certain matters which,
in the hurry attendant upon the arrival of the Commission, he
had overlooked. Mr. Billington dealt chiefly with the forced labour,
the tying up of men and women, etc. ; confirming in a general way
the reports already sent by him to the headquarters of his Mission
in the United States, which were printed at length and er^bodied
in the Memorial presented to the Co;igress of the United States of
America in 1904.

The Commission arrived at Bolobo on November 5th, 1904,
and left on its way up river on November 12th. It held six morn-
ing and one afternoon sittings. Messrs. Scrivener,^ Grenfell, and
Clark, of the British Baptist Missionary Society, were called, and
gave evidence.

Mr. Clark's testimony had no particular importance.

Mr. Grenfell, who has been frequently cited as an upholder of
the present regime, a contention based, apparently, upon state-
ments made by him some years ago, before he became personally
acquainted with the present state of affairs on the upper river,
expressed to the Commissioners his disappointment at the failure
of the Congo Government to realise the promises with which it
inaugurated its career. He declared he could no longer wear the
decorations which he had received from the Sovereign of the Congo

* For 23 years on the Congo,

State. He gave it as his opinion that the ills the country was
suffering from were due to the haste of a few men to get rich, and
to the absence of anything like a serious attempt to properly police
the country in the interests of the people. He instanced the few
judicial officers, and the virtual impossibility of a native obtaining
justice, owing to witnesses being compelled to travel long
distances either to Leopoldville or Boma.* Mr. Grenfell spoke out
emphatically against the administrative regime on the Upper River,
so far as it had been brought under his notice.

Mr. Scrivener dealt at considerable length with the appalling
condition of affairs he discovered in King Leopold's special preserve,
the Domaine de la Couronne, during his 150-mile tramp through
one corner of that district in the autumn of 1903. This report was
fully published in the West African Mail last year, formed the
subject of questions in the House of Commons, and will be found
at length in " King Leopold's Rule in Africa," f a copy of which
volume was taken out by the Commission. Mr. Scrivener brought
forward a number of native witnesses in proof of his statements.
Some of these witnesses had already appeared before a judicial
officer sent to Bolobo subsequent to the publication of the account
in the West African Mail. [This officer took down Mr. Scrivener's
depositions, as will appear from the Proces Verbal, printed further
on.] Others appeared for the first time. Lieutenant Massard, one
of the Domaine de la Couronne officials implicated, from whom the
Congolese Press published last year a letter, attacking Mr. Scrivener
and the West African Mail, was subsequently arrested, and is now
understood to be in Boma on trial.

It may be remarked that no public accounts are issued, even
in estimate form, of the value of the rubber and ivory obtained
from the Domaine de la Couronne, and that the sums thus acquired
are not paid into the Budget of the Congo State. J

* On this point Mr. Harris, at Baringa {A.B.I.R. Concession), and Mr.
Scrivener have given much corroborative evidence, which has been published.
A number of witnesses produced by Mr. Scrivener in connection with the
trial of Lieutenant Massard were sent to Boma in December, 1904. On
May 10th, 1905, they had not yet returned to their homes and families.
Witnesses sent to Boma from Baringa — 1,000 miles away — in August, 1904,
only returned in April, 1905, several of the party having died in the interval.
An administration of justice based upon these lines appears better calculated
to defeat than to promote the ends of justice.

t By E. D. Morel. Wm. Heinemann, Publisher, 20, Bedford Street,
London, W.C.

t Vide Debates in Belgian House of Representatives last year— ^7i«a/c«
rarlemcrdaires.

One of the saddest incidents in the course of the examination
of the witnesses occurred when the Commissioners asked a rather
youthful witness: "How is it you know the names of the men
who were murdered?" "One of them was my own father," was
the unexpected reply. "Men of stone/' wrote Mr. Scrivener to
Mr. Morel at the time, "would be moved by the stories that are
being unfolded as the Commission probes into this awful history
of rubber collection."

EXTRACT FROM EXAMINATION OP MR. SCRIVENER
BEFORE THE COMMISSION {Proces Verbal, 7th Nov., 1904).

" We read to the witness the declarations he made before the
assistant to the Public Prosecutor Caggiulo, on 14th April, 1904.
The witness declares, 'I confirm that testimony, which is the
expression of the truth. I note, however, a slight error in detail.
It would appear from the text that it was through a Bangala
interpreter that I spoke with Mr. Dooms. | That, however, is not
the case. We conversed first of all through the intermediary of a
native of the Lower Congo; we observed that he was really speak-
ing the Bangala tongue; we then spoke together in this dialect,
which we both understood, and we dispensed with an interpreter.'

" We read to witness the letter which he wrote on May 27th,
1904, to Mr. Morel, and which is published in the special issue of
the Wef<t African Mail for July, 1904. The witness declares : ' This
letter is the expression of the truth. The witnesses that you are
about to hear will confirm the facts I have narrated. I will hand
you a copy of this letter in which the names will be substituted
for the blank spaces in the text of the West African Mail. In the
first letter published in the West African Mail of 8th January, the
statements, which are founded solely upon the declarations
made to me by M. Dooms, are included in the passage begin-
ning by the words, " I hear from the white man . . . ."
and ending by ... . " but there were too many wit-
nesses." I accompanied Mr. Casement* during part of his voyage.
I had left Bolobo and had arrived on July 20th, 1903, at
Bodzondongo (Mitandumga), not far from the river bank, and
ten or twelve miles from Bolobo. Mr. Casement arrived on his

X M. le Commandant Dooms was the successor of Massard, and told
Mr. Scrivener he would denounce Massard's cruelties when he got home.
It was announced recently that he had been killed by a hippopotamus.

* Mr. Roger Casement, C.M.G., late H.B.M. Consul in the Congo.

1(^

steamer"; I went on board, and together we proceeded to anotlier
village named Bongende, five or six miles distant from the former
place. Next morning we left, and visited a village named Mpoko,
in the interior, four hours' march from the bank. We reached
there about midday, and all the afternoon was employed by Mr.
Casement in visiting groups of Basengele and Batito natives there
established.* I was present at these conversations. I took no
notes, but when I read the report of Mr. Casement, I felt that he
had narrated in an accurate and faithful manner that which had
been declared to us by the natives. Next morning we returned to
Bongende, passing through Basengele and Batito villages, where
many refugees were living, whom we heard. Mr. Casement and I
then separated. The latter went to Bolobo, and I continued my
voyage into the interior. The two letters reproduced in Annex I.
of Mr. Casement's report, and which figure on pages 63 and 64 of
the English text which you place before me, are extracts from
letters I wrote to Mr. Casement. The facts given in those letters
I was informed of by M. Dooms, and we have witnesses here who
will testify to them.

' After the last journey I made into the region of Lake
Leopold II., I may say that the position has improved, but I
cannot state that it is altogether satisfactory. One did not hear
of further acts of cruelty or violence; but, although the rubber
impositions had been decreased, they were still complained of in a
general way. In my opinion these complaints are founded. The
quantity of rubber claimed as a tax is not now exaggerated, but
the manner in which this impost is levied is altogether oppressive
(vexatoire). Not only are the natives often obliged to go several
days* march into the forests to collect the rubber, but they are also
compelled to all go to the Government station, which is sometimes
a great distance away, to each carry strips of rubber five or six
feet long, and which, all told, sometimes weigh actually less than
the sticks on which they are tied for carriage. It would be desir-
able that the natives who collect rubber impositions should only

* It should be explained — in order to make the facts quite clear to the
mind of the reader — that these natives interrogated by H.B.M. Consul wero
refugees, people who had fled from their homes in the Domaine de la Couronne
to escape persecution. The terrible accounts given by these refugees to the
British Consul are published in the White Book, Africa, No. 1, 1904. It was
only some time after accompanying Mr. ('asement to the district wheic these
refugees had settled, that Mr. Scrivener UTnlertook, personally, a long over-
land journey into the part of the Domaine de la Couronne whence the refugees
originally came, accompanied by several of them as guides. It was the
diary of what he saw and heard there, kept from day to day, that he sent
to Mr. Morel, and which waa published by the latter in the West African Afail.

be required to furnish them quarterly, and that the transport
should be limited to the number of men necessary to effect it,
instead of compelling all the men to undertake long and useless
journeys, which drags them away from their domestic affairs.

' The part of the district of Lake Leopold II. which I visited
is still suffering from the events which took place formerly; the
inhabitants are anxious, and I think I may affirm that the same
is the case in other parts of the district which I did not visit.
I think that the only way of improving the position, and so make
calmness and peace reign, is to suppress temporarily the rubber
imposition.

' It would' be desirable that the political divisions of the Stanley
Pool and Lake Leopold II. districts should be in harmony with
the ethnographical divisions of the various tribes. Certain incidents
which appear anomalous would thus be avoided.

' For instance, some of the Mpama villages are compelled to
take rubber to Mbongo, whilst other villages of the same tribe must
carry foodstuff to Lukolela ; a few (those in the neighbourhood of
Mbondo and Bonginda) are obliged to furnish foodstuffs to Lukolela
and rubber to Mbongo.'

" You mentioned that five natives were placed in single file
and killed with a single shot by Malu-Malu* (Massard), or by his
orders. Among the witnesses you are able to produce, are there
any who can testify to this incident ? "

' No, I do not know of any. I confined myself, moreover, to
asking the witnesses if they were acquainted with any facts which
could interest the judicial authorities. The fact itself I held from
M. Dooms, and I cannot tell you whether you can find any witnesses
to testify to the same. I arrived at Bongo one day about 1 p.m.
M. Dooms received me very hospitably, and, without my putting
a single question to him, he gave me a mass of information on the
condition of the region under his predecessor. He seemed very
upset and troubled' over the accounts given to him by the soldiers,
and he told me that one day, upon entering the prison-house, he
almost fainted at the sight which met his eyes, and at the filth
of the place. During the whole of the meal we partook of together,
he spoke of nothing but the horrors he had heard of^ and hardly
questioned me about the incidents of my own journey. Upon my
return from the Lake, I saw M. Dooms again, and he gave me the

* Bad, Bad, native bo briquet.

account of the murders committed by Massard or by his orders:
shooting the natives as they brought in the rubber, or placing them
one behind the other and driving one bullet through the lot.
Dooms was liked, and, coming after Massard, he was considered
as very good. He was, however, extremely strict; he was very
orderly and punctilious, and he exacted as much rubber as the
others. Thanks to his methods, however, he had succeeded in
obtaining more rubber than Massard, and of better quality. He
knew how to encourage the natives by giving them prizes . . .
Although he was very exacting, and desired to make the natives
work as much as possible, his conduct led to no complaints. I,
however, heard the natives complain that the labour imposed upon
them was excessive, and the remuneration insufficient. It is not
my affair to say whether these complaints were founded, but I
note that to-day the labour imposed is less and the remuneration
greater.'^

After reading over his depositions, the witness adds :
' I expressed my surprise to Mr. Dooms that he should not
have brought to the knowledge of the judicial authorities the facts
with which he acquainted me. He replied that it was useless to
do so now, and that he would expose them when he got back to
Belgium. He also intimated to me his desire to leave the State
service, to enter the service of the Kasai Company, because he did
not like having to compel the natives to work beyond their strength.
I had been waiting for the revelations of M. Dooms, and when I
saw that their appearance was being delayed, I gave publicity to
the facts which had been revealed to me.'

WITNESSES EXAMINED BY THE COMMISSION OF
INQUIRY AT BOLOBO.

The following witnesses were examined by the Commission at
Bolobo. It should be noted that many of the places named below
are far distant from one another : —

Mpetempoko, to seeing Malumalu (Massard) shoot a man at

Bongo.
Ilangaekunda, to seeing Malumalu (Massard) shoot three men

on three different occasions.

* That is to say, since the revelations of Mr. Scrivener, and their pubUe?^-
tion in the West African Mail,

lya, sub-chief of the district of Ngongo^ to seeing sentries kiU

people at Ngonogo.
Bilentwale, son of above, corroborated father's statement.
Nkwabale, to war being waged on account of rubber, relatives

and friends killed, and the sexual organs of men being

exposed on a string.

Witaka,

various

massacres,

etc., at Ngongo.

Wenge,

do.

Eyangi,

do.

Boyo,

do.

Nkoi,

do.

Bokelombe,

do.

Nzou, to raiding of village of Pili, and murder and imprison-
ment of relatives and friends for shortage in supplies of
bush deer, etc., for the State station of Ibale, on the shore
of Lake Mantumba.

Ntoloeni, do., do., and also spoke to seeing body of his own
father amongst the slain.

Mpotobowoto, to slaughter by sentries at Gomoelenge.

Bokuba, to massacre at Mia, by sentries.

Leke, to murder at Bokolo, on two occasions, by sentries.

Bontoma, of murder by a sentry at Penge.

EVIDENCE OF MR. GILCHRIST AT LULANGA.

Area affected : — Domaine Prive and C oncessionnaire Areas on the
Lulanga and Ikelemba Rivers.

Mr. Gilchrist, a representative of the Congo Bolobo Mission
at Lulanga, was the next to testify before the Commission. The
people of the Lulanga neighbourhood are partly " taxed " by the
Government, partly by the Lulanga Company, the director in
Africa of which was requested, since Mr. Gilchrist's evidence was
given, to hold himself at the disposal of the Judicial Authorities
at Boma.* The Ikelemba river seems, in its various parts, to have
been the happy hunting ground of various concessionnaires. The
state of affairs in the area allotted to the La Lulanga Company
was exhaustively dealt with in Mr. Casement's report.

* And has since been released.

The following is a portion of the evidence laid before the
Commission by Mr. Gilchrist: —

Mr. Gilchrist's Testimony.
" They asked me to tell them all I knew about the La Lulanga.
They prefaced my remarks by saying, 'of course you know that
this company is in the free trade territory of the State.' They
smiled when they said this — and so did I. I gave them instances
that shewed how free (!) it was. Just a few days before I had met
a number of men belonging to the village of Bokotola, who, with
their neighbours of that village, were living in the forest, with all its
discomforts and exposure in a wet season like the present, rather
than stay in their own village and be harassed and abused by this
company's agents. I informed them also of the sentry regime, with
all its cruel accompaniments, and of what Mr. Bond and I had
seen on our way from the Ikelemba, of their slave-driving in those
towns contiguous to their headquarters at Mompoko. They asked
if I knew whether they had the consent or help of the State in
these practices. I said I could not say, as I had no means of know-
ing. I referred them to our brethren at Bonginda for fuller
information, as they were in the centre of the company's sphere
of operations.

" I also told them what we had seen on the Ikelemba, of the
signs of desolation in all the districts, of the heartrending stories
the people told us, of the butcheries wrought by the various White
men of the State and companies who had, from time to time, been
stationed there, among whom a few names were notorious — such
as Escjerike^ Bbsongo of the S.A.B., and Poloso of the State.^"
I pointed out to them the fact that the basin of the Ikelemba was
supposed to be free trade territory also^ but that everywhere the
people of the various districts were compelled to serve the com-
panies of these respective districts, in rubber, gum copal, or food.
At one out-of-the-way place where we were on the south bank, two
men arrived just as we were leaving, with their bodies covered
with marks of the chicotte, which they had just received from the
trader of Bosci because their quantity had been short. I said to
the Commissaire, given favourable conditions, particularly freedom,
there would soon be a large population in these interior towns, tht
Ngombe and Mongo."

* Native names of "white men.

Causes of Depopulation.

Mk. GilohbistUqubhtioned by thbJCommission.

Q. What do you regard as causes of depopulation ?

A, (1) Sleeping Sicknesi^. This has never appeared in epidemic
form in our district, only in isolated cases.

(2) Hinallpox, Very few have died of this sickness.

(3) Unsettled condition of the people. The older people never
seem to have confidence to build their houses substantially. If they
liave any suspicion of the approach of a canoe or steamer with
soldiers they flee.

(4) Chest diseases, pneumonia, etc. These carry off very many.
The people flee to the islands, live in the open air, expose them-
selves to all kinds of weather, contract chills, which are followed
by serious lung troubles, and die. For years we never saw a new
house because of the drifting population.. They have a great fear
of soldiers. In the case of many the absence from the villages is
temporary; in the case of a few they permanently settle on the
north bank of the river.

(5) Want of proper nourishment. I have witnessed the collecting
of the State imposition, and after this was set aside the natives
had nothing but leaves to eat.

Q. Is not manioca sufficient to nourish the natives ?

A. No, it is of itself insufiicient.

(6) Excessive taxes.

(Here the President referred to Mr. Gilchrist's letter to an
official at Boma, and asked if the representations made in the
same referred to certain exceptional cases or the whole district.)

A. To the whole district.

Q. Are the taxes excessive i

A. Yes, e.g., the 40 hours' work supposed to be given to the
State is entirely a misrepresentation of the facts of the case. The
collecting of firewood alone occupies more than that time. That is
sufficient without any other imposition. Canoes are very scarce.

Q. M. Malfeyt states that it is ivrong to require imposition of
ducks, fowh, etc. Does the State still levy the tar, ?

A. Yes. •

Q. Are you sure ?

A. Yes, e.g., Captain Rimini came a little time since and
required the same. A monthly tax is made. Wala's tax is eighteen
per month.

Q. Do you wish to add anything ■?

A. Polygamy is favoured by the system, consequently slaveiy.
Everybody in the town is bound to supply the State.

Q. Is thai the mason why the value of lOonien, free and tnslaved^
has risen above the value of men ?

A. The reason is that the woman is useful from the native
point of view. But a woman has always been Useful, but now more
useful as a Working quantity. The chief wants more women to
supply the tax.

Q. The village is not taxed, but the chief.

A. It may be so in theory, but not in fact. The more wives the
less work for each. The chief distributes the work among his
people. Hence if he has five wives each has less to do.

Q. Is the non-buying of slaves not a source of decrease of population ?
Did not more people come from the other side bought as slaves, and by that
means increase the population ?

A. You must remember that if they bought slaves they also
sold the same. Thus a balance was struck. I do not consider the
increase is affected by this. Referring to Wala, the people were
once hunters, but now the State taxes have to be attended. At
that time they had elephant meat both to eat and also to sell.

(7) Another thing that may cause or account for the decreasing
population is the constancy of the taxation. This sours the people.
They feel they have no interests of their own.

Q. Are there some villages and towns free from taxation ?

A. Not that I know of. I know of none.

Q. Have you any further remark against the present system ?

A. I have only to remind the gentlemen of excessive fines to
which I referred before.

Q. ^Yoa speak of the fines as a consequence of the system. The law
does not ^j^erz/t't^ such.

A. How are we and the people to know that? The people do
not know it. The rods* are not returned.

Q. // these facts were knoion the courts would prosecntc.

A. Fines have been imposed since I reported to the Grovernor-
General.f

Q. It is absolutely illegal.^

A. I can recollect impositions of 200,000 rods. It has made
the people poorer.

Q Dnring the last month 1

A. No, I think M. de Bauw was officer at the time. That is
one of the things that take away the confidence of the people in
the State.

Q. Since the toivn of Wala was fined can yon quote other instances ?

A. Yes. Captain Hagstrom levied a fine of 45,000 rods at the
instigation of M. de Bauw on Lulanga. If you refer to Wala only
(1) 5,000, (2) 15,000 before this. One fine since of 5,000.

Q. Do you know of any instance of villages fined after you wrote
your letter J

A. 40,000 rods was a fine of which Wala's share was 5,000.

Q. Have you read Casenieni^s repot t^

A. Yes.

Q. You confirm his re2)ort as to Wala and district I

A. Yes.

Q. H.av6 you anything to suggest ?

A. In reference to the coffee plantations the system is still in
force. The coffee is allowed to drop to the ground, therefore it is
useless labour on the part of the natives.

Q. Do you know the reason for the coffte not being used ?

A. No.

* Native currency.

t July, 1903. This letter of Mr. Gilchrist's to the Governor-General is
published in full in " King Leopold's Rule in Africa," op. cit.

§ Consequently Messrs. de Bauw, Captain Hagstrom, and Captain
Rimini, all high officials, have been acting in an " absolutely illegal " manner.
But what has been done to these officials!'' M. de Bauw is, or was, the
Supreme Executive Official in the District.

Q. t)o you know instances of ill-treatment other than those mentioned
by Casement i

A. I do not know whether I recall all the instances of Mr,
Casement's report.

Q. Your letter refers to twenty men, hut yesterday at Wala we
heard them, say tvjenty-five ?

A. I gave the number I knew at the time. The people in this
town are prepared to give evidence as to ill-treatment if you
require them.

Q. How litany ivituesses different from those we heard yesterday J

A. I can call those at Lulanga. Yesterday we heard those of
Wala only. I have always insisted on the natives reporting their
own cases of ill-treatment. The one complaint I have to make is
that the Authorities invariably believe the sentries before the
people. There was then no court.

Q. You do not speak of the judge ?

A. No. I speak of the military authorities. The case is prob-
ably not taken to the civil officer of the State,

In addition to the foregoing, Mr. Gilchrist, on being asked by
the judges respecting the same:

(a) Confirmed Mr. Weeks' report as to atrocities in the
Bangala district, having himself visited the scene of the
atrocities.

(b) Confessed inability to confirm the letters of Mr. Bond
which appeared in the West African Mail, relative to atrocities
up river, not having himself been with Mr. Bond at the time.
He reported having heard the natives frequently make mention
of the matter, and gave the names of the villages, and offered
to send natives to give evidence.

EVIDENCE OF MESSRS. HAJRRIS AND STANNARD AT

BARINGA.

Area affected: — Territories controlled by the A.B.I.R. Society.*

As a preface to the evidence of Messrs. Harris and Stannard, the
reader should bear the following facts in mind, together with the
circumstance that revelations of atrocities against this Society first
began in 1901, and have continued at intervals ever since.

The Congo Government has all these years exercised juris-
diction over the A.B.I.R. Society.

The Congo Government has all these years held one-half
the shares of the A.B.I.R. Society.

The Congo Government has, whenever required, placed
its military forces at Bassankusu at the disposal of the A.B.I.R.
Society.

The Congo Government has all these years been aware
that the A.B.I.R. Society has dealt in slave labour, or^ other-
wise stated, has compelled by force — ^the A.B.I.R. Society
being nominally a " trading company '* — the natives to bring
in stated quantities of india-rubber, and has imprisoned them
if they failed to do so.

The Governor-General in Africa has authorised the "taking
of hostages" by the A.B.I.R. Society in order to increase the
rubber output, which practice has been regularly foUowed.f

The Congo Government has all these years possessed full
information as to the vast quantities of cartridges and ammu-
nition imported by the Society, which have been conveyed to
the Society in the Government steamers.

The Congo Government has all these years possessed full
knowledge of the number of cap-guns and rifles in the Society's
possession, for which the Congo Government exacts a license.

The Congo Government granted the Society its concession,
and has allowed it to exploit areas in the Domaine Prive, lying

outside of it.

* The rule of the A.B.I.R. Society has been fully exposed in a pamphlet
entitled " Eed Rubber," by E. D. Morel. Price Is.; obtainable from Messrs.
W. H. Smith, London.

t Vide rev^lattons at the trial of M. Van Caelcken, in December, 1904.

The Board of Administratio'ii of the A.B.I.R. Society includes
the following:

President: A. Van den Nest, Senator.

Council : Count John d'Oultremont, Grand Marshal of
the Belgian Court ; Baron Dhanis, ex-Governor-General of the
Congo State; M. Edmond Van Eetevelde, Congo State Secre-
tary of State.

Mr. Harris' Testimony.

" First, the specific atrocities during 1904 were dealt with,
including men, women, and children; then murders and outrages,
including cannibalism. From this I passed on to the imprisonment
of men, women and children. Following this I called attention to
the destruction of the Baringa towns and the partial famine among
the people in consequence. Also the large gangs of prisoners — men,
women and children — imprisoned to carry out this work; the
murder of two men whilst it was being done. Next followed the
irregularities during 1903. The expedition conducted by an
A.B.I M. agent against Samb'ekota, and the arming continually of
A.B.I.R. sentries with Albini rifles. Following this I drew attention
to the administration of Mons. Forcie, whose regime was a terrible
one, including the murder of Isekifasu, the principal Chief of
Bolima; the killing, cutting up and eating of his wives, son and
children; the decorating of the chief houses with the intestines,
liver and heart of some of the killed, as stated by ' Veritas ' in the
West African Mail.

" I confirmed in general the letter published in the West
African Mail by ' Veritas.'

" Following this I came to Mons. Tagner's time, and stated
that no village in the district had escaped murders under this man's
regime.

" Next we dealt with irregularities common to all agfentfe, call-
ing attention to and proving by specific instances the publid
floggings of practically any and everyone; quoting, for instance,
seeing with my own eyes six Ngombe men receive one hundred
strokes, each delivered simultaneously by two sentries.

" Next, the normal condition has always been the imprisoning
of men, women and children, all herded together in one shed, with
no' arrangement for the demands of nature. Further, that very

many, including even Chiefs, had died either in prison or immed-
iately on their release.

" I next called attention to the indiscriminate fines levied on
the people by the A.B.I.R. agents. Also the irregular taxes imposed
only according to the requirements of the agents ; these taxes often
being levied on the food of the people. Following on this was the
normal condition of the people under the sentries* regime^ shewing
how the whole of the villages were absolutely under their despotic
control, and that not only had the sentries to be kept in state, but
also their large retinue of boys and often stolen women.

" The normal conditions also include the levying of blackmail
and taxes. We also pointed out that the murders and cannibalism
of the sentries were after all only an exaggeration of their general
conduct.

" The next question dealt with was the transporting, as
prisoners, from one region of the A.B.I.R. concession to another,
of those who could not or would not work rubber.

" Next, the mutilation of the woman Boaji, because she wished
to remain faithful to her husband, and refused to subject herself
to the passions of the sentries. The woman's footless leg and hernia
testify to the truth of her statement. She appeared before the
Commission and doctor.

" Next, the fact that natives are imprisoned for visiting friends
and relatives in other villages, and the refusal to allow native
canoes to pass up and down river without carrying a permit signed
by the rubber agent; pointing out that even missionaries are
subject to these restrictions, and publicly insulted, in an unprint-
able manner, when they do so.

" Next point dealt with was responsibility — maintaining ' that
responsibility lay not so much in the individual as in the system.
The sentry blames the agent, he in turn the director, and so on.

" I next called attention to the difficulties to be faced by natives
in reporting irregularities. The number of civil officials is too
small; the practical impossibility of reaching those that do exist —
the native having first to ask permission of the rubber agent. Here
I quoted the sickening outrage on the Lomako, to which I have
already called your attention.*

* Tl^is outrage, of which full details have been receiyed, ig unprintable.

22^

" The relations that are at present necessary between the
A.B.I.R. and the State render it highly improbable that the natives
will ever report irregularities. I then pointed out that we firmly
believe that but for us these irregularities would never have come
to light.

"Following on this the difficulties to be faced by missionaries
were dealt with, pointing out that the A.B.I.R. can and do impose
on us all sorts of restrictions if we dare to speak a word about their
irregularities. I then quoted a few of the many instances which
found their climax in Mrs. Harris and I almost losing our lives
for daring to oppose the massacres by Van Caelcken. It was also
stated that we could not disconnect the attitude of the State in
refusing us fresh sites with our action in condemning the adminis-
tration. I then mentioned that the forests are exhausted of rubber,
pointing out that during a five days' tour through the forests I did
not see a single vine of any size. This is solely because the vines
have been worked in such a manner that all the rubber roots need
many years' rest, whereas the natives now are actually reduced
to digging up those roots in order to get rubber.

" The next subject dealt with was the clear violation both of
the spirit and letter of the Berlin Act. In the first place we are
not allowed to extend the Mission, and, further, we are forbidden
to trade even for food.

" Next the statement was made that, so far as we are aware,
no single sentry had ever been punished by the State till 1904 for
tlie many murders committed in this district.

" I next pointed out that one reason why the natives object
to paddle for the A.B.I.R. is because of the sentries who travel in
the A.B.I.R. canoes, and whose only business is to flog the paddlers
in order to keep them going.

" After Mr. Stannard had been heard, sixteen Esanga witnesses
were questioned one by one. They gave clearly the details of how
father, mother, brother, sister, son or daughter were killed in cold
blood for rubber. These sixteen represented over twenty murders
in Esanga alone. Then followed the big chief of all Bolima, who
succeeded Isekifasu (murdered by the A.B.I.R.). What a sight
for those who prate about lying missionaries ! He stood boldly
before all, pointed to his twenty witnesses, placed on the table his
one hundred and ten twigs, each twig representing a life for

rubber. ' These are chiefs* twigs, these are men's^ these shorter are
women's, these smaller still are children's.' He gives the names
of scores, but' begs for permission to call his son as a reminder.
The Commission, though, is satisfied with him, that he is telling
the truth, and therefore say that it is unnecessary. He tells how
his beard of many years' growth, and which nearly reached his feet,
was cut off by a rubber agent, merely because he visited a friend
in another town. Asked if he had not killed A.B.I.R. sentries, he
denied it, but owned to his people spearing three of the sentry's
boys. He tells how the White man fought him, and when the fight
was over handed him his corpses, and said : ' Now you will bring
rubber, won't you ? ' To which he replied ' Yes.' The corpses were
cut up and eaten by Mons. Forcie's fighters. He also told how he
had been chicotted and imprisoned by the A.B.I.R. agent, and
further put to the most menial labour by the agent. He also tells
of numbers of stolen and ravished wives, of the many anklets,
spears, shields, etc., that he has been forced to give the sentries.

" Here Bonkoko came forward and told how he accompanied
the A.B.I.R. sentries when they went to murder Isekifasu and his
wives and little ones; of finding them peacefully sitting at their
evening meal ; of the killing as many as they could, also the cutting
up and eating of the bodies of Isekifasu's son and his father's wives ;
of how they dashed the baby^s brains out, cut the body in half,
and impaled the halves.

" Again, he tells how, on their return, Mons. Forcie had the
sentries chicotted because they had not killed enough of the Bolima
people.

" Next came Bongwalanga, and confirmed Bonkoko's story :
i his youth went to ' look on.' After this the mutilated wife of
Lomboto of Ekerongo wjis carried by a chief, who showed her foot-
less leg and hernia. This was the price she had to pay for remain-
ing faithful to her husband. The husband told how he was chicotted
because he was angry about his wife's mutilation.

" Then Longoi, of Lotoko, placed eighteen twigs on the table,
representing eighteen men, women and children murdered for
rubber. Next^ Inunga laid thirty-four twigs on the table and told
how thirty-four of his men, women and children had been murdered
at Ekerongo. He admits that they had speared one sentry, Iloko,
but that, as in every other such instance, was because Iloko had first
^lled their people. Lomboto shews his mutilated wrist and useless

hand, done by the sentry. Isekansu shews his stump of a forearm,
telling the same pitiful story. Every witness tells of floggings, rape,
mutilations, murders, and of imprisonments of men, women and
children, and of illegal fines and irregular taxes, etc., etc. ' The
Commission endeavours to get through this slough of iniquity and
river of blood, but finding it hopeless^ asks how much longer I can
go on. I tell them I can go on until they are satisfied that
hundreds of murders have been committed by the A.B.I.R. in this
district alone; murders of Chiefs, men, women and little children,
and that multitudes of witnesses only await my signal to appear
by the thousand.

"I further point out that we have only considered about two
hundred murders from the villages of Bolima, Esanga, Ekerongo,
Lotoko ; that by far the greater majority still remain. The follow-
ing districts are as yet untouched : Bokri, Nson-go, Boru-ga, Ekala,
Baringa, Linza, Lifindu, Nsongo-Mboyo, Livoku, Boendo, the
Lomako river, the Ngombe country, and many others, all of whom
have the same tale to tell. Everyone saw the hopelessness of trying
to investigate things fully. To do so, the Commission would have
to stay here for months.

"The Commission therefore agreed to accept the following as
a true general statement: 'That hundreds of people have been
killed in this district alone for rubber, and that I could prove it
by multitudes of witnesses.' And what a sight for Mrs. French-
Sheldon, Sir Alfred Jones, Lord Mountmorres, Mr. Head, and their
hosts, who have called us ' liars,' with every adjective they could
find. What a sight for them. The A.B.I.R. Director also accepts
this statement as true.

" Where now is the ' morbid imagination of excitable
missionaries ' ? "

Mr. Stannabd's Testimony.

" The sittings of the Commission were quite public, and were
held on board one of their steamers. All the missionaries of Baringa
attended every sitting. We had every opportunity for giving
evidence, asking questions, and bringing forward witnesses. It is
true that not more than a tithe of the witnesses we were able to
produce were examined, but that was because the Commissioners
considered the charges against the A.B.I.R. fully proved. The
Director of the A.B.I.R. had every opportunity of disproving the
evidence, but- the utmost he could do was to attempt to explain
away things and plead ignorance, but he did not succeed very weU,

"After Mr. Harris Had addressed the Commissioners at great
length during the first three sittings, Mrs. Harris confirmed her
husband's evidence, and stated a few facts in connection with the
Nsongo outrages.

" When called upon to give evidence, I said I wished to confirm
all Mr. Harris' evidence, except the things that he had actually
seen and I had not. I pointed out that we had together drawn
up the evidence to be laid before the Commission, so as to avoid
repetition. There were, however, several points that I wished to
bring forward.

" I knew for certain that Albinis* were used in the Nsongo
outrages, because I saw the evidence with my own eyes. I instanced
the case of Isekolumbo, who died the day that I reached Wala.
He had been shot with an Albini rifle, the wound of which I saw.
The bullet had passed through the right arm^ fracturing it, and
then, entering the side, had passed through the chest and out at
the back and near the shoulder. Also the case of Elisi, who was
shot through the thigh, but fortunately without fracturing the bone,
and is still alive. The flesh wound was unmistakable; the bullet
having entered at one side and out at the other. With reference
to the whole Nsongo palaver, I confirmed everything that I had
written in the letter which was published in the Congo Supplement
of the West African Mail of August, 1904, of which the Commis-
sioners had a copy.

" I next confirmed Consul Casement's statement that whilst
he was at Bongandangaf fifteen women were brought in as prisoners,
as I had seen them myself.

" I stated that whilst I was stationed at B'ongandanga they
always had women prisoners, which was part of the ordinary routine
of the A.B.I.R. These women prisoners worked under the super-
vision of sentries.

" Women were imprisoned because the men were short in their
supplies. If a certain village or villages were short, a number of
the women from those places would be seized and put into prison
until the men made up their deficiencies. This was the recognized
method of the A.B.I.R. agent, who often told me that this was
the best way to get the ' taxes ' brought in.

* It is contrary to law for the sentries to be armed with the Albini,
t Another station of the A.B.I.R,

" Albini rifles were always used whilst I was at Bongandan^a,
but not exclusively.

"I spoke of the method of bringing in rubber workers by
sentries, particularly in connection with the Nsungamboiya people,
but what I said about them referred also to people from other
districts. Every fortnight these people were brought in from their
villages, distant about thirty to forty miles from the A.B.I.R.
Station at Bbngandanga. Before reaching the A.B.I.R. they had
to pass through the Mission Station. In the front came a line of
five or six sentries abreast, marching military fashion, with rifles
or guns sloped across their shoulders. Following these came a
number of prisoners tied neck by neck. After these came the men
and boys, carrying their rubber, with sentries amongst them at
different intervals, and then a number of sentries at the rear hurry-
ing up the stragglers. The average number of rubber workers from
these villages was about two hundred and fifty, and they looked
more like a gang of prisoners than anything else. Between the
Mission and the A.B.I.R. is a wide path, and here the men halted,
and under the supervision of the sentries divided up their rubber
before taking it to the Agent.

" I have seen rubber workers being carried away by their
friends from the A.B.I.R. Station after having been severely
chicotted. Two particular occasions I called to mind, and both
occurred near about March, 1903. Once I was standing with
Bongole, our native evangelist, outside his house, just after one of
the so-called markets, when a man was carried past, having been
severely flogged; and the other time I was standing near my own
house. Each time I spoke to the people and asked the reason,
and they said it was because of the rubber.

"The State has given the A.B.I.R. the power by which these
things are possible.

" I pointed out the few visits of a judicial officer to the A.B.I.R.
territory. The only visits of judges to the A.B.I.R. Concession
that I can remember were those of Judge Rossi about the early
part of 1902, and the recent visits of Judge Bosco.*

" When the police officer comes into the Concession, it is
usually at the request of the A.B.I.R. to settle some palaver of

* There have been no others since the formation of the A.B.I.R. Society
under Congolese law in 1898; and neither of those judges visited the interior
of the Concession. Both were guests of the A.B.I.R. Agents during the whole
time of their stay.

theirs, and of course he is only told their side of the affair. As a
rule, it is because the people are not bringing in enough rubber,
or a sentry may have been killed. He is not told anything about
the difficulty the people may have in getting rubber^ and the
terrible treatment they have received, and that the sentry in
question has probably killed a number of people first. There is
nobody to speak for them. When the police officer comes with his
soldiers the people think he has come to fight them, and they either
assume a hostile attitude or run away.

" The general attitude of the Commissaire, the representative
of the Congo Government in the territory, seemed to indicate that
he was in sympathy with the methods adopted by the A.B.I.R.,
and distinctly resented our actions in reporting outrages, etc.,
connected with the procuring of rubber.

" The restrictions imposed upon us by the A.B.I.R. in the
matter of food-stuffs, etc., are the direct result of our doing what
we have felt to be our duty in reporting their atrocities.

"With reference to taxation, I submitted: —

" (1) That it is not right to force natives to pay taxes in
an article they do not possess, especially in the quantities
that are demanded from them.

" (2) It is absolutely wrong in principle that all the taxes
of a large territory should go into the pockets of the share-
holders of a commercial company.

" (3) Whilst it is right that the natives should work, it
should be shown them that there is some benefit from working.

" (4) The natives should work principally for their own good,
whilst at the same time paying their taxes.

" With regard to the native evidence, it is impossible to give
more than a few examples of such which was placed before the
Commission; but, so far as proving the charges made against the
State, it was simply overwhelming, both in regard to the number
of witnesses and the atrocities to which they bore testimony. The
witnesses, who came from all directions, were so numerous that the
Commissioners felt it would be a tremendous task to hear them all,
and, moreover, they did not think it necessary, as they considered
the charges we had made more than proved. Mons. Longtain,
the Director of the A.B.I.R., who was present, was asked what

he had to say to these things, and he had to confess that he could
not dispute the evidence.

" The witnesses from Esanga told how on one occasion, because
forty-nine instead of fifty baskets of rubber were brought in, some
of their people were imprisoned, and sentries were sent to punish
the people; that one poor woman was trying to catch fish in a
small stream near by her village, when she was surprised and shot
by rubber sentries.

" Another witness told how he found the corpses of his mother,
uncle and sister, killed by the sentries. All had harrowing stories
to tell of the brutal murder of near relatives. Some they had
seen shot before their eyes; in other cases they had fled to the
bush to save themselves^ and when they returned had found the
dead bodies of their relatives lying about.

" Defenceless women and children were shot down indiscrimin-
ately, the witnesses indicating the size of the children by their
height from the ground. All this was apparently done in order
to strike terror and fear into the hearts of these unhappy people,
so as to force them to bring rubber. And all this has been the
normal condition of these people's lives for years. ^ The witnesses
reported how they were constantly flogged with the chicotte, how
they, with their women and children, were constantly imprisoned,
and that many of their people either died in prison or just after
coming out. Whilst the men were in the forest trying to get
rubber their wives were outraged, ill-treated, and stolen from them
by the sentries. Usually the sentries would attack a village either
at night or very early in the morning, and in cold blood shoot
down defenceless people who offered no resistance. The terrors and
sufferings of these people could scarcely have been surpassed by
the horrors of the Arab slave raids. The history of the A.B.I.R.
in these parts is one of oppression, blood and iniquity. It will
take a great deal to atone for all the wrong that has been done
to these people.

"Lontulu, the senior Chief of Bblima, came with twenty
witnesses, which was all the canoe would hold. He brought with
him one hundred and ten twigs, each of which represented a life
sacrificed for rubber. The twigs were of different lengths, and
represented chiefs, men, women and children, according to their

* During which the shareholders of the Society have been making
e?\ormous profits.

lengtli. It was a horrible story of massacre, mutilation, cannibalism,
that he had to tell, and it was perfectly clear that he was telling
the truth. He was further supported by other eye-witnesses. These
crimes were committed by those who were acting under the instruc-
tions and with the knowledge of white men. On one occasion the
sentries were flogged because they had not killed enough people.
At one time, after they had killed a number of people, including
Isekifasu, the principal chief, his wives and children^ the bodies,
except that of Isekifasu, were cut up, and the cannibalistic fighters
attached to the A.B.I.R. force were rationed on the meat thus
supplied. The intestines, etc., were hung up in and about the
house, and a little child who had been cut in halves was impaled.
After one attack, LontulUj the chief^ was shown the dead bodies
of his people, and asked by the rubber agent if he would bring in
rubber now. He replied that he would. Although a chief of
considerable standing, he has been flogged, imprisoned, tied by the
neck with men who were regarded as slaves, made to do the most
menial work, and his beard, which was of many years' growth, and
reached almost to the ground, was cut off by a rubber agent because
he visited another town.

" Inunga of Ekorongo came with his bundle of twigs represent-
ing thirty-three people killed by sentries, and when asked why
they had been killed replied, ' because of rubber.' He mentioned
four white men who had sent their sentries to do this dreadful
work. He admitted that his people killed Eloko, a sentry, but
only because he had first killed one of their people named Botsikere.

" Then Boali, a woman of Ekorongo, appeared before the
Commissioners, and her maimed body itself was a protest against
this iniquitous rubber system. Because she wanted to remain
faithful to her husband, who was away collecting rubber, and would
not submit to be outraged by a brute of a sentry called Ekolonda,
she was shot in the abdomen, which made an awful wound; the
intestines partly protruded, and it seems a miracle that she sur-
vived. The scars are plainly visible, and the site of the old wound
has the appearance of an enormous tumour. She fell down
insensible, and the wretches were not yet satisfied, for they then
hacked off her foot to get the anklet she was wearing. And yet
she has survived it all, and to-day comes to bear her testimony.
It is a pity that woman's mutilated body cannot be seen at home
as we have seen it, and her pitiful story reach the ears of all those

who feel for their fellow-beings. She was the only woman who
appeared before the Commissioners, and I believe everybody was
visibly impressed by her appearance and the story she told.

" Lonboto, her husband, came next and corroborated his wife's
statement. He told how they flogged him because he was angry
on seeing his wife's mutilated body. He also testified that the
rubber workers were chicotted, and their wives imprisoned.

" The following are some of the things told by Bomolo^ Chief
of Bolumboloko.^ ' There is no rubber in the forest. They search
for it, but it is now finished. When they brought what rubber
they could get to the station, some were put in prison, women as
well as men. They were flogged with chicotte, being laid on the
ground. He himself had been chicotted.'

" I could add much more, but I think the cases I have referred
to will suffice to show the nature of the native evidence, and of
the unspeakable sufferings the natives have endured since the
A.B.I.R. came into existence."

IV.

EVIDENCE OF MESSRS. RUSKIN AND GAMMANf AT
BONGANDANGA.

Area affected: — Territories controlled by A.B.I.R. Society.

The Commission of Enquiry arrived at Bongandanga on
17th December, 1904.

Mr. Ruskin's Testimony.
" I have been ten years upon this station, and during this time
I have seen the following things : 1895-1901 and early part of
1902. — ^Especially March, 1899, I have seen men passing through
the station with blood running from their buttocks after having
received the chicotte because of their rubber being short.

" 1895-1901. — Expeditions of sentries armed with Albini rifles,
followed by town people with spears and shields, they in turn
followed by women with baskets for loot, etc. Especially M. Peterson
(native name Elonga) led such expeditions, generally on Sundays.

* Bolumboloko was again raided by A.B.I.Ii. soldiers in April, 1905. —
Vide Mr. Harris' letter. Section II.

t Congo Balolo Mission.

" Large numbers of women in prison, compelled to work in the
sun, some with children at the breast. One woman in June, 1899,
only three days after confinement, was washing in the sun, with
her baby tied to her back.

" 18th June, 1899. — Four men released from prison, natives of
Nsungamboya. One very old man came on to the Mission station.
We gave him food and water, which he drank and ate ravenously,
but was too far gone to recover. He died^ and was buried by our
own people. Another died at Boyela; the remaining two were
never again heard of — ^probably died in the bush on their way
home.

" 18th July, 1899. — Many prisoners released upon the visit of
Judge Rossi. We counted 106 who passed our way. Among them
were old grey-headed men and women, women with children who
were born in prison. Some were living skeletons and had to be
carried. Some died en route for home.

" Prisoners released at sound of steam whistle,* 5th May, 1904,
29th October, 1904, and many other dates.

" 26th September, 1904. — I saw nine women detained in Bavaka
for rubber. Tliey were released as soon as the agent was informed.
I do not think the agent had ordered these women to be detained.

" 1895. — I visited the River Bolombo before the A.B.I.R. com-
menced operations, and found large flourishing towns, people happy,
and plenty of food, fowls, goats, etc. Have been since the A.B.I.R.'s
establishment four times.

" 1901. — On the last occasion — October, 1901 — the change was
most noticeable. The natives were terrorised by sentries, and being
in perpetual dread had to live in the forest. In Bosinga and Eala,
which were flourishing towns, I could not see a hut; the people
were all in the forest.

" 1899. — ^I saw poles at the A.B.I.R. factory to which four men
had been tied, stripped, with heads shaven, for a day and night
without water or food. In the morning their eyes were protruding,
their features all swollen, and they cried for someone to bring a
gun and shoot them out of their misery. They were A.B.I.R.
native employes, and were supposed to have stolen rubber^ but
the evidence was not clear against them. One of our lady mission-
aries saw the men and told me of it."

* Announcing various private " investigators " coming up the river.

Mr. Ruskin then narrated evidence he had laid before Judge
Rossi in 1901.

The Commissioners handed to Mr. Ruskin Mr. E. D. Morel's
book: ''King Leopold's Rule in Africa," and asked him if the
things reported there were those he was about to report. If so, it
would save fatigue and time if he would confirm them wholesale.
Mr. Ruskin then read them through, and, with the exception of
one or two typographical errors, confirmed the whole.

Mr. Ruskin also referred to an expedition made by M. Schott,
Government official, and fifty of the Government troops (Force
Puhlique), accompanied part of the way by M. Lejeune (A.B.I.E.
agent), and five sentries armed with Albini rifles. This was in
February and March, 1904. Reports had come in of seven people
being killed in Bosinga and eight in Eala.

Owing to the fact that he was suffering from fever, Mr. Ruskin
had to forbear telling of numerous other matters which he had
intended. He therefore finished with the following statement:

" With regard to the system, I have no hesitation in saying
that it is iniquitous in the extreme, and if the present system is
continued it will end in the total depopulation of the country.
The administration of the system varies with the agent, whether
he is a good or bad man, but the system itself remains the same.
Judging from personal observation, I would say, as regards the
sentry, he may be a man mentally deficient and morally corrupt;
but if he is physically strong, and noted for the power to bully
and drive people, he is the one likely to be chosen for the work
of coercing these miserable natives to bring the rubber."

Mr. Gamman's Testimony.

" After taking the oath I said I was very sorry the Commission
had not arrived a few hours earlier, as the rubber * market ' had
been held on the day of their arrival, and there would not be
another one for ten days. Secondly, that the people from the most
distant towns had been in that day, and although it was usual
for some of them to stay the night in a village close here, and
proceed on their journey next day, as soon as the approach of
the Commission was known, the sentries ran into the village and
compelled the men to return at once to their own towns. The
result was that, as soon as I knew that the Commission had arrived,
I sent to the town to procure witnesses, but they had all gone.

Thirdly, on the arrival of the Commission the sentries went to the
towns of Bavaka and Boyela, and compelled the rubber men to go
to the bush at once^ although it was not usual for them to leave
their towns to collect their rubber for at least two or three days.
(These towns are within four or five miles.)

" The Commission then asked me if I could account for these
things. I replied that it seemed to me that some persons were
very anxious to get rid of all who could give evidence, and that
any who remained near the place should be frightened from doing
so. I also explained that some of our chief witnesses had been
sent hither and thither, so that they were not now present; one
having been called to Coquilhatville about a palaver which was
reported six months ago — a palaver which belonged to another
town, and with which he had nothing to do whatever. These,
I said, are ' significant facts.' All these statements were taken down.

" I was then asked if there had been any serious trouble within
the last six weeks or so, and if we had anything against the present
agent, M. Devlin. I was glad to be able to say that we thought
M. Delvin had, as far as the system would allow, sought to be fair
in all his dealings with the natives. There were still grave abuses
by the sentries, especially in those towns far from the factory.
I had been unable to procure witnesses from the distant towns
owing to the circumstances stated above, and it would take four
days to get them in. Women were still tied up by the sentries,
and kept in prison until some exorbitant demand had been met.
Mr. Ruskin would tell them of several women thus tied up at
Bavaka, and on my arrival at Nsungambaya six weeks ago (a town
nearly fifty miles away), there were four women tied up for the
same purpose. On my approach they were released, but I saw
the place where, and the rope with which they were tied up. The
sentry's name was Mbongedza.

"I was then asked if I had read Consul Casement's report,
and what I thought of it. I explained that I was at home on
furlough during the visit of Mr. Casement, but I described the
deplorable state of affairs we found on our return out here in
November, 1903. I explained why we could no longer receive food
supplies through the agent of the A.B.I.R., and that we took this

stand a week after our arrival, that is, about 20th November, 1903.*
I gave as an example of the state of all the towns, the town of
Dilange : the tax, which it was impossible for them to meet ; how
their women were tied up, their goats and fowls confiscated, the
people in a state of terror; and all this being done by an agent
of the A.B.I.R., M. Lejeune. I called as witnesses for this Ikamba,
the chief of Basekoiya; lyoke, the chief of Bosilela; Iseilole^ the
chief of Bavaka. I was prepared with several other witnesses, but
the Commission decided that they had had enough. These wit-
nesses spoke out well; they were very honourably treated, and the
Commission assured us that if any persecution followed because of
their witness, the offenders would be most severely dealt with.

" This evidence took from 8 a.m. until 12-30 p.m. The Court
then adjourned, and resumed at 3-30 p.m.

" I then brought before their notice that Albini rifles were
given to the sentries without a White man accompanying those
taking them. I instanced the case of M. Baelde's sending eight
rifles to the Ngombe, of which you have already received a report.

"I then shewed that the A.B.I.R. system did not recognise
the native chiefs. In fact a large number had been killed, either
by the sentries, or through imprisonment, and in every case the
chief is belittled in the eyes of his people. I said, 'the power is
all taken from the chiefs^ and vested in the sentries armed with
guns, and yet the chief is responsible, and he is the first one
pounced upon if there is any shortage of the rubber, or if the quality
is inferior.' I gave details of the deaths of three chiefs.

" A boy named Mbeka was seized by M. Lejeune, against the
lad's wish, to work on the A.B.I.R. station. He was flogged
repeatedly, and ran away. He was caught, tied up to a post, with
his hands stretched above his head, for a whole day in the sun.
After a time he again fled^ and this time hid himself that no one
could find him. Sentries were sent to the village, and they seized
three women relatives of the lad, named Boyunga, Bokokwa and
Botenju. They also seized the lad's uncle, named Ingolu. These
were taken to the factory, and there put in prison.

* Previously the missionaries had received their foodstuffs through the
A.B.I.R., not being allowed to purchase from the natives. When they fully
realised what oppression was exercised upon the natives in the matter of
foodstuffs generally, they declined to be parties — although innocent ones —
any longer of the practice. Their difi&cult position formed the subject of a
written protest from Consul Casement to the Governor-General. The Consul's
letter is published in " King Leopold's Rule in Africa," op. cit.

" A few days after this, the village was behind in its food
supply — this village had to produce both rubber and food — and
Nkoimpeci, the chief, was seized and put in prison. He became
very ill, but M. Lejeune would not let him out. At last the lad
was found, and Nkoimpeci was released with the women, but
Nkoimpeci died the same day. TVo other chiefs, named Iseoleki
and Iseotomba, of Boseki, were released at the same time. Iseoleki
died the same day and Iseotomba the next morning. The last two
were in prison because rubber was not sufficient. M. Lejeune then
informed lyalika, the father of the boy, that he was responsible
for the death of Nkoimpeci, and must pay Nkoimpeci's family
10,000 rods — an enormous sum for this district. In the meantime
the women were again seized and thrown into prison. 6,800 rods
were paid, besides dogs, spears, etc.

" The President then asked me what I thought was the reason
of the deaths of these chiefs. I replied, lengthened and repeated
confinement in prison, hard work there meted out to them, improper
food whilst there, and not least, broken heart.

" lyalika (the boy's father) himself was my witness for this,
and, although others were there ready to give evidence, the Com-
mission decided that no other witness was necessary.

" The next case I cited was the murder by sentries in the time
of the agent M. Baelde. In Boseki, two sentries named Bolungia
and Iseowangala had tied up a man named Iseokoko to a tree and
demanded from him one thousand rods. He was only able to
supply three hundred, and one or two dogs. This they said was
not sufficient, and because the rest was not forthcoming, Bolungia
shot Iseokoko dead. This was merely, as far as we could see, a
case of extortion. I gave the names of witnesses for this, but they
were not called. I also informed the Commission that Bolungia
(one of the murderers) is at the present moment a sentry in the
employ of the A.B.I.R. here.

" The President then asked me if I had any general statement
to make. I then said that I thought the rubber tax was exorbitant.
The rubber in the immediate districts was finished; nearly all the
villagers had to go two days in the forest for their rubber, work
five days there, and then return and bring to the factory. It was
especially hard for those villages far from the factory. We under-
stood that the tax was to be forty hours' work a month,
but the rubber tax for Nsungamboya was thirteen days in every

fifteen days. Thus the people only had four days a month at hom6.
/ knew of no village where it took them less than ten days out of
the fifteen to satisfy the demands of the A.B.I.R.

" Secondly, the greatest iniquity was the power put into the
hands of untrained, armed sentries, who so frequently and
atrociously abused their position, and were never punished for
even the most brutal crimes. As far as I know, not one sentry has
ever been severely punished for any of their vile practices, their
abuses of power, their seizing of wives and property, or even
murder; cases which have been proved without any shade of doubt.
In reply to a question by the President, I said I did not think it
was possible to get in the same amount of rubber without the
sentries, because it was excessive, and all power had been taken
out of the hands of the chiefs.

" This ended the first day's proceedings.

" Continuing my evidence next day, I said that I thought I
could prove that gross abuses of their position were still perpe-
trated by the sentries, and also that the sentries were not properly
superintended by the A.B.I.R. agents. The women to whom I had
referred the day before were tied up by Mbongedza purely for
purposes of extortion — it could not have been for rubber, as the
husbands were at the time carrying their rubber to Bongandanga.
The names of the women were Nsala, Bokali, Ekokula, Botono.
This was not even denied by the sentry, and although M. Delvin
promised to revoke him, he was only detained one night, and he
is at the present moment a sentry at Nsungamboyo.

" Nsungamboyo had long been looked upon by the sentries
as their hunting ground. The number of women seized by the
sentries from Nsungamboyo was almost innumerable, and they
are at the present time in the villages around here. A young
man gets the gun, is sentry at Nsungamboyo, and in a few months
has quite a number of wives. My witness would explain how they
got them. He will also tell of murders, and all sorts of atrocities.

"Lokungu, my witness, was then called. He had a piece
of string with 42 knots, each knot indicating a person killed at
Nsungamboyo. He also had a packet of fifty leaves, each leaf
representing women whom he knew had been seized by the sentries ;
he could give the names of all, and there were many more whose
names he could not remember.

"He had seen that day, in walking from our station to the
steamer, four of these women in the house of a sentry; one was
his own daughter. The names of these four women were lysovu,
Benteke, Bofola, and Boyuka. .If a man is sick and cannot possibly
go for his rubber, his friends must give a substantial present to
the sentry. If a male native down on the list as a rubber collector
dies, his friends must do something handsome to get the name
taken off the books. Two other chiefs also gave evidence from
other back towns — ^Isealelo, from Ngandu; Lokwa, from Baolongo.

" This, I believe, is a full and correct report of the Enquiry
here."

MR. AND MRS. LOWER* AT IKAU.

Area affected: — Territories controlled by the A.B.I. It. Society.

The Commission began its work at Ikau on 22nd December,
and concluded its sittings on the 29th.

Mr. Lower's Testimony.

The first cases dealt with were those of intimidation. It was
proved that a number of natives anxious to give evidence had been
threatened, cruelly treated, and in some cases prevented from going
to Ikau by native sentries. Later in the enquiry it was also stated
that bribes had been offered if only the people would keep silence
concerning their wrongs.

Mr. Lower was the principal witness, and produced the follow-
ing list of murders committed in the concession, bringing forward
many native witnesses to prove the facts.

[see over.]

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The evidence concerning these murders was carefully gone into
by the Commission, and many hidden things, some of which had
happened as far back as twelve years ago, were brought to light.

M. Longtain, who was present, advanced the usual defence on
behalf of the A.B.I.R., and endeavoured to bring various charges
against the missionaries, but the attempt to controvert the over-
whelming nature of the evidence on the other side proved as futile
at Ikau as it had done at the other stations of the Congo Balolo
Mission."

MR. CHARLES PADFIELD'SH EVIDENCE AT BONGINDA.

Area affected : — Under present control of La Lulonga Society.

The following is, substantially, the evidence laid before the
Commission of Enquiry at Bonginda, in the La Lulonga Society's
territory, by Mr. Charles Padfield, of the Congo Balolo Mission: —

Mr. CiiARLEs Padfield's Testimony.

"About June of 1904, the White agent (native name
Ekotolongo) in charge of the station at Boyeka ordered seven men
from the village of Bbkenyola to paddle his sentry* to fetch the
rubber due from another village. f On their return they met the
White man at Warabala, and he sent them to a third village!
with two sentries.y When they reached the village the rubber was
short, and two men were seized. One of the men caught possessed
200 rods (native currency), and these the sentries took^ but one of
the native paddlers§ tried to return the rods to the man to whom
they belonged. The sentries ordered him to desist, and thrashed
him severely with the chicotte, also striking him in the back and
chest with the butt of a gun. When they returned to Boyeka
the paddlers reported the outrage to the agent, who replied that
they were telling lies.

11 Congo Balolo Mission.

* Bolinda. X Bosanfusu. || Belinda and Loleki.

t Efomi. § Yambolenga.

"Two days after the paddler who had been thus treated died
from the effects. His relatives took the corpse to the agent, who
dismissed the matter, asserting that the man had died from ordinary
sickness.

"In the early months of 1904, possibly about March or April,
another White agent of the Society at Boyeka (native name
Lingonju) sent his sentry to tell all the people of the village of
Bokenyola to fetch ' ekekele,' i.e., native string used for house-
building, etc. All the men in the village but three proceeded to
carry out his instructions, two being old men and the other the
recognised Chief of the town. Later in the day the sentry Ebolo
came to the town, and seeing one of the old men,1I asked him
why he had not gone to fetch * ekekele.' He then thrashed him
with the chicotte, and took him before the White agent at Boyeka.
The White agent ordered him to be imprisoned. At the end of
the second day's imprisonment he died.

Mdwabenga, the Chief of the town, accompanied by the old
man's son, Bofoke, went to the White agent and tried to have
speech with him, but as he would not listen to them, Bofoke, who
knew that the District Commissioner, M. de Bauw^ was expected,
said he would report the outrage to him. The White agent there-
upon ordered the Chief to keep him (Bofoke) in the village, adding
that if he was allowed to report to the District Commissioner, he
(the White agent) would kill him (the Chief). The White agent
also gave Bofoke 800 rods not to mention his father's murder.

" On Sunday, 4th December, 1904, when the Commission of
Enquiry was expected, the White agents at Boyeka endeavoured to
bribe the surrounding villages to silence in the matter of atrocities
committed upon the people. They sent two sentries* to call nativesf
from the village of Ingando to come to the station to be dashed
100 blankets, but the villagers, knowing that the Commission of
Enquiry was coming, refused to go or to receive the blankets.

" The same day the White agents sent sentries to the village of
Nkoli, instructing the headmenj to come to the factory and be

^ Mokuto. * Ndongola and Loyeka. t Botofe and Lofali.

X Bosolo and Mbolo.

dashed 100 blankets, but they also refused. Similar action was
attempted with the native villages of Boyeka and Bokenyola, and
finding the headmen of the towns unwilling to listen, the people
themselves were invited to receive largesse, but they all refused.
The capitas, or head sentries, were then given presents by the
White agents.

[Note. — The reason the people gave to the Commission for
refusing these various articles was that the White men did not
pay them for their rubber or other work, but knowing the Com-
mission was near the White men thus tried to buy the people's
silence.

The White men's explanation of the above was that it was
their custom to give dashes over and above the wages paid, and
these goods thus offered were the yearly dashes !]

" About August or September of 1904, the White agents at
Boyeka (native names Ekotolongo and Nkoi) sent a sentry to the
village of Nkoli to get the rubber. Owing to some of the able-bodied
men of the town having died, several villagers went to the White
agent, begging that the number of baskets of rubber demanded
should be reduced from forty to thirty. This the White agent
refused, and sent the sentry Ekolelo to punish the people if the
rubber was not complete. The people were unable to produce the
full amount, and thereupon the sentry shot the Chief Bombambo,
the charge entering the abdomen on the right side and passing
out at the back.

" The son of the murdered Chief, accompanied by another man
named Bosolo, took the corpse to the White agent " Ekotolongo,"
and complained. But the White agent told them that the Chief
had been shot because the rubber was not complete, and ordered
them to take the corpse back to their town. Before they went he
called his dog and set it on them, the dog biting the son on the leg
as he carried the corpse of his father.

" About the beginning of 1904 the White man at Boyeka (native
name Lokoka) sent the sentry Eyoka to the village of Nkoli to
giet the rubber due, viz. : thirty baskets. As, however, one man
had run away from the village, only twenty-nine baskets were
forthcoming. The sentry thereupon shot a villager called Lokambo.
He did not die at once, and the men of the town carried him to the

White agent, who said that the sentry had acted rightly, and
ordered the villagers to return whence they had come. The victim
of this outrage died before the party reached their homes.

"On 4th December, 1904, five sentries^ went to the village of
Nkoli. They had no guns with them, as the White agent had
called in the guns because the Commission was expected. These
five sentries mulcted the people to the extent of 500 rods and a
quantity of food-stuffs.

" This town had to supply forty baskets of rubber and one pig
per fortnight.

" The people of the town of Inganda had to produce twenty
baskets of rubber per fortnight. On one occasion, early in 1904,
the people had only collected sixteen baskets. The sentry Maboke
was sent for the rubber, and finding it short beat a villagerf so
severely with his gun that he died. Lofali and other men carried
the corpse to the White man ' Ekotolongo,' who said that the man
had been killed because the rubber was short.

" Some time later the people of this village were five baskets
of rubber short, and the sentry Mambuso caught a villager J and
took him to the White agent at Boyeka. The White agent there-
upon ordered the villager to be chicotted in his presence. The
victim of this brutality was then taken to Bassankusu (headquarters
of the A.B.I.R. Society), where he was kept five days, after which
he was brought back again to Boyeka, again chicotted by the
White agent's orders^ and sent back to his home. His body was
so fearfully lacerated that he died two days later. The villagers,
led by the headman, Lofali, took the corpse to the White agent,
whose only comment was to tell a aentry§ to thrash Lofali with the
chicotte, and to-day he bears the scars so received.

" In the month of November, 1904, a sentry § went to the
village of Nganda to get the rubber, and appropriated 500 rods
belonging to the villagers for himself. The people did not report
this to the White agent, for they had reported similar acts, but
the sentries were not punished.

" At the end of November another sentryji went to the same
village, and finding many of the people away, he demanded of

*Ntsombo, Loyeko, Etoko, Yamba and Mpokojimho.
t Isatolingu. X Ewaki. § Yambi. j| Mangula.

those that remained a payment of 500 rods, saying if they did not
give the rods he would return to Boyeka and bring other sentries
to come and fight them.

"About the same time another sentry^ was sent to tell the
people to bring the pig they had to supply the White man with
as part of the ' taxation/ and which the villagers had, on this
occasion, been unable to trap. Owing to their inability, the White
agent mulcted the village in a fine of 4,000 rods. The next day
the people trapped the pig, but they received no compensation.

" To shew the monstrous nature of the fine, it is sufficient to
add the people of this town were counted in the autumn of 1904
by a State official as forty males and fifty females.

" The White man (native name Lokoka) ordered — date not
given — the men of Bokenyola to gather gum copal, also to fetch
trees and roofing material, and to supply labour for house building.
For this work they got no pay. On one occasion he sent them out
to cut timber, and because they did not return as quickly as he
thought they ought to have done, he tied up all the men and
women he found in the town, and kept them in that state until
they were redeemed by the payment of 4,000 rods.

" The town of Bokenyola has to send ten women on Sunday and
forty on other days to work at the factory. On one occasion, when
the forty women had been working all day, the White agent Lokoka
had the women in the evening all lined up, ordered them to strip
themselves naked, and then . . . .*

"Early in the spring of 1904 the sentries of the La Lulanga
Company were sent to Bolongo for the rubber ' due ' by that village.
The people had gone to the forest, but had not been able to procure
the full quantity. As a punishment three villagers! were murdered
by the sentries J and another wounded. § The villagers brought
the dead body of one of the murdered persons and also the wounded
man to M. Spelier,|| the director of that Society. He accused them
of lying, and told them to return to the town.

" The people of Bolongo were compelled to purchase the rubber
from another tribe, the Ngombe, paying fifty rods a basket, and

^ Imbembelea. * What follows is unprintable. — E. D. M.

t Moniongo, Ngombele and Eloko.
X Mbangu, Lola and Ngalla. § Mabongo.

t Recently acquitted after judicial enquiry at Boma. Now in Belgium.
>.M.

they had to take fortj baskets to the factory, for which they
received no pay.

''In September of 1904 the people of Bojinga went io
' Ekotolongo,' the White agent at Bbyeka, to ask him why he did
not pay them for the rubber? The White man's answer was to
attack the town with his sentries, burning it, and looting all the
property he could get hold of.

"About the middle of 1903 the people of the village of Bomengi
had started to carry the rubber overland to the factory, when a
sentryU arrived in a canoe. The people told him that the rubber
was on its way, but he refused to believe it, and shot the Chief.**
This was reported to the White agent 'Lokoka,' who declined to
take any action.

" On another occasion the White agent ' Lokoka ' sent messages
to the village of Bosokoli to inform the people that they would
henceforth have to supply double the amount of rubber, adding
that if they did not he would punish them. The people did not,
or could not, comply with the demand, and the White agent sent
his sentries to the village. They killed two men. The Chief com-
plained to the White agent, who said, 'No palaver,' and told the
sentries to throw the body into the river.

" Some time afterwards the White agent, hearing that the
Chief was angry, instructed him to bring the rubber in person.
When the Chief came he was chicotted by order of the White agent,
and imprisoned for about four months, during which time he was
made to work every day and frequently thrashed.

" In the spring of 1903, when the sentry attached to the village
of Lobola, on the Eloko river, had gone to the Society's factory
with the rubber imposition, the village was looted by other sentries.*
The people having remonstrated, the sentries shot four men,t
including the village Chief; and pursuing a boy called Mbuke,
overtook him, slashed him over the body and cut off his right hand.
Two villagers! went to complain to the White agent ' Bbmba '
(native name) at Mampoko, taking with them the corpse of one of
the murdered persons. The White agent told them to go away
and put the body into the water.

IF Engonda. ** Etenda.

* Bosokudemo, Ekua, Ecikala and Bomboju.
tMalongo (Chief), Mombo, Buke and Etambanjoko.
X Mambalanga and Ef asu.

" About the same time the people of this village, when taking
their rubber to the White agent Lokoka, were told by him to bring
in addition ten fowls, sending a sentry§ with them to see the order
carried out. The people objecting, the sentry shot a villager named
Maloko. A relative! I took the corpse to the White agent, but he
simply told him to go away.

" In the spring of 1903, while the sentryU attached to the
village of Busanbongo had gone to Mampoko with the rubber
impositon, two other sentries*" came and looted the village of most
of its possessions. Because the people objected, one sentry shot the
man Mokembe in the left knee, the charge passing farther down
the leg, and subsequently clubbing him in the right knee (to-day
the man is a cripple); while the other sentry shot the man Biacia
in the right arm, which to-day he is unable to use.

" The women at Mampoko had to tread the clay used for brick-
making, and on one occasion the sentries stripped the women, and
in the presence of the White man in charge of the work . . .ff
The women went to M. Spelier, the director^ and he told them
to go away.

" About October of 1904 the White agents at Boyeka sent for
the Chief of that village, Jongi by name, and told him he must
work rubber. He refused, because he was the Chief, and because
his town already supplied fish, minsumbu, etc.

"He was thereupon seized by the White agents and furiously
thrashed. When they had finished with him, as he did not rise,
they kicked him, but found that he was dead. One White man
was charged with holding the Chief, and the other with beating him.

[I may say that the Commission examined ten eye-witnesses of this. —
Note by Mr. Charles Padfield.]

" On an occasion in the autumn of 1904 the people of the
village of Bokutolo, near Boyeka, received, as pay for their baskets
of rubber, three flat beads. They asked for more pay, as they had
not received anything for the last eight times they had brought
rubber.* For answer, the White agent seized the man Mboyo, and
one holding him, the other beat him until he died on the spot.

" On the third occasion of their bringing in the rubber after
the above murder, the White agents gave the people a small

§Nkileku. |1 Manuka.

IfNgombele. ** Efauzabomba and Ecikala.

+t What follows is not printable. — E. D. M.
* Fortnightly imposition. — E. D. M.

mirror. The people asked for rods. As answer, the White agents

seized the man Bokectu, and beat him so severely with the chicotte

that he died."

[The eye-witnesses of these deaths, and also the widows of the men
killed, were examined by the Commission of Enquiry. — Note by Mb. Charles
Padfield.]

VII.

THE EVIDENCE OF THE REV. J. H. WEEKS AT
MONSEMBE.

Area affected : — Domaine Prive.

To appreciate the full gravity of Mr. Weeks' evidence, and
the acceptance of that evidence by the Commission, a reproduction
here of Mr. Weeks' letters to Mr. Morel, and to the Congo Authori-
ties, in 1903 and 1904, and published in the WeM African Mail,
would be desirable; but this would take up more space than can
be spared. Suffice it to say that Mr. Weeks' long series of dis-
closures have had, amongst results, the effect of proving once again
how hopeless it is to expect that, on the Congo, adequate punish-
ment, or even punishment at all, will follow crime where White
men are concerned, especially Government officials. In the matter
of the murders committed upon the helpless villagers of the
Bongondo towns by the force under Lieutenant Mazy, which is
referred to in the evidence, that officer was allowed to return to
Belgium after the charges made by Mr. Weeks were in the hands
of the Authorities at Boma. The first inquiry, which followed the
publication of Mr. Weeks' letter in the West African Mail, and was
conducted by M. Grenade, Judicial Officer, proved the entire
accuracy of Mr. Weeks' statements, the guilt of Lieutenant Mazy,
and at least the grave moral responsibility of the Commissaire of
the Bangala district. But nothing has been done to either of these
officers ; to the Commissaire of the Equateur district for the illegali-
ties ordered and sanctioned by him, as revealed before the
Commission of Inquiry; or to many others who might be named
were it desired to concentrate censure upon individuals. For their
transgressions the system which they serve is, however, responsible,
and the real guilt lies upon more distinguished shoulders.

54
Mr. Weeks'* Testimony.

" The Commission of Enquiry arrived here on the evening- g#
6th January, and at 8-30 a.m. the following day the Court assembled,
and I was summoned to appear before it. The Court-house was
the deck of a steamer — an ample space between two cabins. The
President attended in a scarlet gown with lace bands^ Baron Nisco
in a black gown with white bands, and the Swiss member in a
dress suit. Soldiers were on either side armed with guns, and with
bayonets fixed. The Court was dignified and impressive.

" After taking the usual oath I was called upon to make my
statement. I drew the attention of the Commission to the fact that
my attitude towards the State was not the outcome of the present
agitation in England, because I had written as far back as the
6th November, 1897,t a strong appeal to the Gommissaire of the
district of Bangala for a reduction of the taxes, as they were
oppressive; the people were in a state of semi-starvation, and the
population decreasing rapidly. That letter was read to the Com-
mission, and at their request I gave them a copy. I told them that
three officers of the State came and investigated my complaints,
found my charges true, but nothing was done to relieve the natives.

"I then referred to my letter of 13th June, 1903, which I
sent to the Gommissaire, and receiving no answer, I then forwarded
a copy to the Governor, and after waiting ample time for an answer,
I then forwarded the letter to the public Press. The Commission
said I was fully justified in so doing, and that I had acted rightly.
I then pointed out the date of the publication of my letter relative
to the excessive character of the taxes^ the date of the arrival on
the Congo of the published letter (11th December, 1903), and the
date of the reduction of the taxes (January, 1904). I gave them
$. list of the old tax, as instanced in the case of sixty-seven men,
women and children in the Creek towns, who paid 4,000 odd rods
per fortnight formerly, now reduced to 200 odd rods for the same
period. They thought that the result fully justified my action, and
that if I had not published my letters there would have been no
reduction. The President remarked that the Governor had said
that the taxes were excessive. They accepted as proven my charges

♦British Baptist Missionary Society. On the Congo for a quarter of a
century.

t This letter, a copy of which I possess, and which appeared in the West
African Mail of July 7th, 1905, shews that Mr. Weeks, eight years ago, was
complaining bitterly to the authorities of the bur4ens laid upon the people.

re exorbitant taxation. I remarked that the State never took into
consideration the physical conditions under which ihe pe«^Ie Kved,
and gave as examples-.

"The people of Monsembe, during two successive floods which
destroyed their farms^, had still to supply the food taxes, and in
order to do so had to travel to Lulanga, a distance of forty miles,
to buy cassava at an exorbitant price, and then they had to take
it another forty miles up to Nouvelle Anvers to deliver it. Also,
that the Ndobo people, whose swampy country is unsuited to the
cultivation of cassava, had nevertheless to buy from the riverain
towns at a heavy price in order to meet the inexorable State
demands. They can only grow plantain in that district. The
President remarked that evidently the physical and geographical
nature of the country were not considered when assessing the taxes.

" The next point considered was depopulation. I gave them
my figures that in 1890 there were over 7,000 people within a
certain area comprising the towns of Bongwele, Moluka, Mantele,
Bonjoko, Mokobo, Nkunya I., Nkunya II., Bombala, Monsembe,
the Creek towns, Upper and Lower Bombelinga; that the Creek,
which had formerly 1,500 persons, had now only 67, and that out of
the 7,000 people in the above towns we last counted 574, and that
the State had just taken a census and found only 551, and that in
the other parts of the district from Bokongo to Likunungu there is
a like decrease. They accepted that as proven.

" I then referred to the killing of twenty-two men, women and
children by M. Mazy (Mabata) in the Bokongo section. They said
that M. le Juge Grenade had fully confirmed my accusation and
had supplied more details than I had given. Charge proven.

"Then came the question of depopulation through sleep-sick-
ness. I said that on my arrival at San Salvador in 1882 I found
the people suffering from sleep-sickness, that the people were not
taxed, that they lived under normal conditions, that the birth rate
kept pace with the death rate, and that the town had since
increased. I told them that the first case of sleep-sickness in this
town was brought to our knowledge in 1892 — ^two years after our
settling in the district, and of the few cases to be found previous
to the levying of the heavy taxes, since when the deaths have
increased through semi-starvation and worry; how the eternal
fortnightly tax was a constant nightmare which depressed the
people and made t^iem an eas^ prey to disease of all kin4^.

" That there were previous epidemics of sleep-sickness, from
which the people had recovered again and again, and as a proof
I cited the two terms we got in 1892 for sleep-sickness (luiva,
maJcwata), which would not have been known to the natives so
generally if the 1892 case had been the first among them. I also
spoke of the treatment for sleep-sickness by native doctors — a
treatment also well known in 1892. The Commission was of the
opinion that sleep-sickness did not wholly account for the alarming
decrease in the population,

" We then arrived at the labour question. I pointed out that
there were comparatively rich men here, who did not need to work
any more than wealthy folk in Europe; that others went to work
at fishing, canoe making, trapping, trading in oil, etc. ; that they
were away on the islands or away trading for a month or so at
a stretch, and then came home and sat about for a time, and folk
who did not know of their exertions for the last month, seeing them
sitting about, would conclude that they were lazy. The President
remarked that recently at a wooding post he saw the women carry
wood down to the steamer while the men were sitting about. I
replied that the women had no houses to keep clean, no clothes to
make for their children or themselves, no meals to prepare in the
ordinary way; that as women on a wood post their food was
supplied from the surrounding towns, and therefore there was no
necessity for them to cultivate farms ; that I thought if they had
enquired they would probably have found that it was a division
of labour; the men cut and brought the wood from the forests
and islands, and the women carried it from the stack to the boat.

" The Commission asked : ' Do the natives like work ? '

"'Who does?' I asked.

" They asked if it were not necessary to force the natives to
work ?

" I said, * No. Look at all the mission stations, steamers, etc. —
nil built and maintained without the use of forced labour.'

" They were much impressed with these answers. It had never
occurred to them that all our work was done without the employ-
ment of forced labour. I called their attention to the industry of
some young men within fifty yards of their steamers, who were
making chairs and tables. That as they were under our protection,
and knew they would enjoy the fruits of their labour, they worked

hard. Given a guarantee, I said, that the natives would reap the
fruits of their toil, and not be cheated out of them, then they
would work without force.

" The Commission remarked on the low birth-rate, and asked
me if I could account for it. I referred again to the terrible and
ever-present anxietv caused by the fortnightly tax; that women
did not want children under such circumstances; that forced
recruitment of soldiers and workmen had depleted the towns of
the virile forces that maintain the population ; that these recruit-
ments were demanded at irregular periods, and had no regard to
the population of a town. So many fezes at first were sent down
with native soldiers or messengers, and heads had to be found to
put into them. Often young women were recruited as well as
young men. ' Enkoti ' (hat) became synonymous to ' forced soldier
or workman.' Native soldiers, etc., sent on these errands, black-
mailed the people and received bribes to decrease their demands
from the particular town which cared to pay them. In the middle
of 1898, Commandant Sundt recruited 150 men and women from
this district, and he told me that he had received orders from
Boma to do so."

Mr, Weeks invited by the Commission to make Suggestions

FOR Eeforms.

" State Trading the Curse of the Country and the Euin
of the People."

"I then asked permission to make a few suggestions. This
they readily granted; in fact asked me to do so.

" (1) That the number of civil magistrates should be increased,
and that they only should be allowed to judge cases. That these
judges should make periodic visits through the sections or districts
put under their control. That military officers, commissaires, etc.,
should no longer be allowed to pass capricious sentences on the
people. As an example of a capricious sentence, I cited the case
of Nangumbe, as reported in the July Congo issue of the West
African Mail. I was about to give more cases, but the President
stopped me by saying that was a characteristic example.

" (2) That soldiers' wives, instead of lazing about the State
stations, should be made to work plantations of cassava to support
themselves, and so lessen the burdens of the people. That the

natives now labour to supply food to soldiers and their wives, only
to be robbed, raided and ill-treated whenever the said soldiers
had an opportunity for so doing. I spoke of the raiding and ill-
treatment ihat had come under my own observation; that I
appealed to the State and received no relief for the natives, so
had taken cases into my own hands and made soldiers disgorge their
ill-gotten gains. The Commission thought I was right in so doing.

" (3) That Medal-chiefs should be treated properly and the
dignity of their office supported. The office is forced upon them ;
they receive no remuneration; that if the tax is short in any way
they are put in chains and imprisoned for no fault of their own.

" (4) That the taxes should not be taken so frequently to
Nouvelle Anvers, as at present it entails long canoe journeys,
ranging from one or two miles to 160 miles for the up and down
journey every fortnight. The small sum paid by the State is largely
swallowed up by the paddlers to refund themselves, as they have
to pay their share of the next fortnightly tax, although they may
have been a week in carrying up the last tax. Once in two or
three months would be often enough, and although they might find
it difficult to take up all at once the four or six fortnightly taxes
at the present rate, yet if soldiers' wives made plantations of food-
stuffs there would not then be the necessity for the natives to take
up so much, and their burden would be doubly lightened.

" But I think it would be better to levy a hut tax of say
100 rods per year (about 6s.) on all occupied houses. (San Salvador
hut tax is 2s.) That the payee should receive a receipt for that
year which should exempt him from all further taxation. The
judges when on their official rounds could note the occupied houses.
I remarked that the State could buy its native produce by giving a
fair market price, dealing honestly with the natives and winning
their confidence. Natives sometimes come fifty and sixty miles to
sell us their fowls in exchange for such goods as enamel ware, etc.

" (5) That the tax should be assessed on individuals or houses
and not collectively on towns. That in the case of a man dying
or of a man going away to work on a State steamer or station, or
being engaged by the Mission (we have to pay a tax on all work-
men), their share of the tax should no longer be demanded from
the town. I gave examples of how by deaths the taxes had
increased, and how by others going to distant places to work, the
burden left upon the remaining inhabitants had become unbearable,

"(6) That State trading was the cause of most of the abuses
complained of, and that there would not be any reform — real reform
— until the State gave up trading; that the time mid energy of
the Commission would he wasted unless the State abandons trading.
State trading was the curse of th", country, and the ruin of the people.
That the promotion and perquisites of officials depended largely
on the amount of rubber or other produce they collected from
their districts, so how could they administer the country while
taken up with trading? Without trading the number of soldiers
and military officers could be reduced, and export and import duties
assessed to meet expenses.

" (7) That Mission teachers should be recognised by the State,
and should receive a certificate stating who and what they are,
so that officials of the State would not interfere with them. For
example : Moila, our teacher in Libinza.

" The Commission asked me if I thought the present tax
excessive, and if there had been any raiding. Answer : Compared
with the former taxes the present taxes are light, and so far as I
know they are not oppressive, and that I had not heard of any
recent raiding.

"I then gave the Commission a copy of a letter re the famous
Epondo case, written on 3rd January, 1905, to Mr. Morel, in which
I affirm my belief, after investigation on the spot where it happened,
that the said Epondo had had his hand bitten off by a wounded
wild boar, and that his account was the true one. On 30th October,
li.L'd, Mr. Faris sent M. le Capitaine-Commandant Stevens a letter,
stating that Epondo had told him that Ikabo, a lad of his village,
and two lads of Ikakata, had had their hands cut off by State
soldiers. I shewed the Commission a copy of the original letter,
and on reading it they expressed their desire to have it, as a copy
of this letter had not been handed to them by the State officials.

"A rough outline of the above account of my examination
before the Commission was drawn up within 30 hours of the sitting.
While I do not pretend that the paragraphs are in proper sequence,
yet I think this summary fairly represents what took place on
that occasion."

Mr. Weeks on. the part played by the Missionaries.

I think it well to follow the publication of Mr. Weeks' evidence
. by, the following clear and decisive statement made by him as

regards the attitude of the Missionaries — a statement which must
bring conviction to every impartial mind.

*' It is stated that only fifteen or twenty missionaries out of
the three hundred on the Congo complain. That three hundred
odd includes the Roman Catholics. With respect to the Protestant
missionaries of the three American missions and the two English
misions, those who have spoken out have done so in a representative
capacity; e.g., what I have written from Monsembe has always
received the most hearty support of my three colleagues. ' These
matters having been published by me, it was not necessary for my
colleagues to go over the same ground. The same can be said of
the action Mr. Scrivener and others have taken in their respective
spheres. So the fifteen or twenty complaining missionaries really
amount to triple that number.

"Again, it is stated that we are acting wrongly in attacking
Belgians as a people. That is wrongs for in the State's service
there are Italians, Swedes, Danes, etc., etc., and we generally only
know White men by their native sobriquets, and consequently do
not know of what nationality they may be. We know a wrong has
been done, a crime committed, and without any knowledge of the
nationality of the wrong-doer we call attention to the evil
perpetrated.

" Again, it is stated that we are acting wrongly in attacking
a foreign Power as we have done. What foreign Power are we
attacking? The Belgian House repudiates all responsibility in the
internal affairs of the Congo Free State, therefore it is not a Belgian
colony. The administrators, officers and agents of the Congo State
are of almost every nationality. Are we therefore attacking all
the various Powers that these gentlemen represent? I think not.
The Congo State is unique in itself. When we come into the
country we have to take out matriculation papers, that make us
more or less, I presume, citizens of the Congo Free State, and as
such we have the right to appeal to our Government, and if neither
redress nor investigation results from our appeals we have, I con-
tend, the right to appeal to the only other means at our command,
viz., the public Press. The President of the Commission of Enquiry
when here said that in publishing I had acted rightly, and that
the results — ^the reduction of taxes — ^had fully justified my action.

"I desire information on two points: What foreign Power is
the Congo Free State to those of us who live in it? Why do we

take out matriculation papers every time we come into the country,
if they do not give us, in some fashion^ the status of citizens?

"I have given nearly twenty-four years of my life to the
amelioration, both religious and temporal, of the people, and I give
place to no one in my intense interest in this country and its people.
I have lived longer in Congo than in England, and is the son.^-
lieutennnt who arrived yesterday from Europe to be a privileged
individual, and his actions beyond criticism, because he is supposed
to be a citizen, and his critic, notwithstanding his long residence in
the country, the sacrifices he has made of home, children and
fatherland, an alien? We come here to teach and preach, and
instruct in various ways the natives among whom we live. We are
not political agents, and we care not a jot who rules the country so
long as we have freedom to do our religious work, and the natives
are treated justly and fairly in all things. But when we see them
being crushed out of existence, what are we to do? Appeal to the
Congo Executive? We have done that, and wasted our time, paper
and stamps. What are we to do? Sit quietly, because we are
forsooth supposed to be in a foreign country? Why, the very stones
would cry shame upon us if we were to be silent about the griev-
ances of these people.

" If the Congo State had listened to our complaints, investigated
our charges, set right the wrongs inflicted, or had shewn us that
our complaints were unfounded, we should never have appealed to
any European Press."

SECTION II.

Events on the A.B.I.R. Concession

(and documents connected therewith)

Since the Visit of the Commission of

Inquiry,

From January to May. 1905.

PART 1.

Evidence not taken by the commission.

The following communications will be read with interest, as
showing the further abundant evidence of atrocities in Baringa
neighbourhood alone, which a more lengthened stay would have
enabled the Commission to investigate.

On January 5th^ after the Commission had left Baringa, but
was still in the Congo^ Mr. Harris wrote the President of that
body, placing new facts before him. I give the following extracts
from this letter : — -

" While you were at Baringa, a Chief from Boendo escaped
from the sentries guarding his village, crossed the Lomako, and
came through the forest in order to lay his case before you.*
However, he experienced such great difficulties that he arrived too
late to see you, for he found to his keen disappointment that you

* When news reached the Upper Congo that a Commission of Investiga-
tion was going otit, the missionaries did their utmost to spread the information
far and wide amongst the natives, together with the belief they themselves
entertained that its visit would be practically efficacious. This circumstance
explains the attempt of this far-distant Chief to gain access to the Com-
mission. How false were these hopes is made only too clear by the events
wnich have occurred since.

had gone down river. He had brought with him several eye-
witnesses of barbarities, also 182 long twigs and 76 smaller ones,
which the Chiefs of his village had sent you, in order to prove that
the A.B.l.R. had murdered 182 men and women and 76 children
in their villages during the last few years. He said he was unable
to give the names of all off-hand, but promised to give them to
anyone visiting the town ; at the same time he gave me the names
of many which I have written at the end of this letter. He further
said that since he had left his town a messenger had followed him
to say that the A.B.l.R. sentry, Lofela, had clubbed his wife to
death with his gun. Her name was lyovu, but he did not want to
make a charge until he had personally verified the report. I cross-
questioned him in every possible way to find out if he were
exaggerating any point, but my efforts only succeeded in convincing
me that things were even worse in some directions than he had said.

The people were killed by hanging, spearing, cutting the throat,
but mostly with the rifle. Some of the women were tortured to
death by forcing a pointed stake through the vagina into the womb.
I knew of other such instances^ but in order to test him I asked
him for an example. ' They killed my daughter Nsinga in this
manner; I found the stake in her.' He told me of many other
instances of terrible brutality, torture and murder, but I will not
write them, not because there is any lack of proof (there is only
too much), but because people in Europe would absolutely refuse
to believe that anyone could be so inhuman as to commit such acts."

Further details of tortures inflicted upon the people are too
horrible for reproduction. Mr. Harris continues with a number
of remarks on various subjects, including a long list of murdered
people — men, women and children. He concludes :

" This Chief said the reason why he was unable to supply more
names of children was because they were too small, many of them
being quite babies, who were killed with their mothers. I hope the
Commission will be able to find a place in its dossier for this letter."

The above communication was acknowledged by the Secretary
to the Commission in the following significant letter, which the
few persons in England, who have attacked the British mission-
aries, described them as "traders," ridiculed their statements, and
portrayed them as deliberate liars, would do well to note :

" Coquilhatville, 2 Fevrier, 1905.
" Etat Independant du Congo.

" Commission d'Enquete, instituee par decret du 23 Juillet, 1904.

"Dear Sir,

" We found your letter, dated January 5th, 1905, yester-
day at the wooding post near Lolanga Mission Station. The Com-
mission thank you for the new information you are supplying them
with. Your letter to the President is now embodied into the
dossier, as an enclosure to your evidence. In sight of the many
irregularities disclosed by the Commission during their enquiries
in the A.B.I.R. country, the Local Grovernment at once resolved
to create a new judicial district^ consisting of the basins of the
Rivers Lopori and Maringa. The Substitute's dwelling-place will
be Bassankusu. I>r. Vogt^ a Norwegian, now at Nouvelle Anvers,
has been appointed (telegraphically) as the first Judge of the
A.B.I.R. But he is instructed to wait further information, and
will not leave at once for Bassankusu.* In the meantime the new
substitute here, Mons. Tessaroli, will pay a visit to the Baringa
region; the Commission request you to make him acquainted with
all the cases of cruelties, oppression, etc., of which you are aware.

" As to the statement printed in the Times, and relating to
' trading missionaries,' I must say I have not seen anything of the
kind in any English paper. It was M. Malfeyt, the High Com-
missioner, who was told (in certain Belgian newspapers) to have
discovered that missionaries ' are engaging in trade.' This, of
course, was only a ridiculous rumour; according to the laws of the
State, 'trade is free.' Moreover, we think that you have proved
that you do not trade.

" Ee sentry system and Dr. Dorman,f I confess that several
statements made by that gentlemen were somewhat astonishing.

" I am, yours very sincerely,

" (Signed) H. GREGOIRE.
" To the Reverend J. BLa.rris,
" Baringa."

* He does not appear to have entered npon his duties by the end of April,
date of our last advices.

t This refers to Mi-. Dorman's statements in letters from the Congo to
tJhe fimes^ that the sentrjr system w^s P- thing of the past, etc., etc,

65
III.

MR. HARRIS TO THE VICE-GOVERNOR-GENERAL.

Congo Balolo Mission, Baringa,

January 17th, 1905.

To His Excellency the Vice-Governor-General.
Sir,

I have the honour to acknowledge your Excellency's wish,
expressed to me through His Britannic Majesty's Acting Consul,
that we will not delay in informing the authorities of irregularities*
that we think ought to be known. During the last few months we
have done this, but there is yet very much to be told, more than
I can ever hope to deal with. I am sending this communication

through Commissaire General B (?), in order that he may be

fully acquainted with the facts.

I have just returned from a journey inland to the village of
Nsongo-Mboyo, the incidents of which have so impressed me that
I feel it wise to give you an account.

In the employ of the Mission is a man who, as a youth, was
captured in a native quarrel from this village, and, being anxious
to know if his relatives were still alive, he has constantly urged
this journey upon us. Madame Harris and I left Baringa on
January 8th, arriving at Nsongo-Mboyo on January 11th. I had
heard much of the plenty and beauty of this village from my man,
but arriving there we found nothing but desolation ; there was the
place where once the village had been; that was all. However, by
sending forward scouts, I got to know where the people were, and
after pushing on for another three-quarters of an hour, preceded
by men shouting that we had not come to fight^ I found the old
chief and some of his young men; a little later the mother of our
employe emerged from the forest. Then, your Excellency, a sight
occurred which moved us deeply; the employe, though a grown
man, broke down and wept; naturally one would have expected
him to show pleasure at seeing his mother. I asked him why he
cried. " Oh, Bondele,t how can I b^ happy? My relatives have all
been murdered for rubber; my friends have not a house to live in,

* The irony of this passage, taken in conjunction with the matter which
appears further on under ^'Hostage taking for rubber." need not be insisted

upon.

tMr, H?iTris' native n^me,

or jpood to eat; my sister, with her right hand and left foot off
testifies to the brutality of the sentries." I had ample proof of this ;
there was not a house for us to sit in, and though I offered a
fabulous price, I could not obtain even a scrap of manioca for my
men ; the people were living in holes in the earth, hollow trunks
of trees, and in little gra^s caves ; many lived in the open, with a
few leaves for a covering. The chimpanzee is better housed and fed
than these people, and in greater safety, too. The old chief said :
"White man, I am full of shame; I cannot give you a fowl to eat
yourself, or manioca for your men; I am ruined." I had ocular
demonstration of this, for the only present the mother of my
employe could give her son was a few leaves for pottage. They had
ceased working rubber because they said they could not find it;
and even when they took what little they could, the white men
only flogged them ; they were therefore waiting now^ expecting
that every day the white man would come again and kill them. The
abject misery and utter abandon is positively indescribable; though
I know of many villages that have suffered equally, none that I
know of has ever presented such a picture of hopelessness and
despair.

* Only a few months ago, Mons. Pilaet took his sentries there
and between them killed the

Men.

Women.

Children.

Isekalokuji

Imengi

Mongu

Bofofi

Bofua

lyoki

Itoko

Bokangu

Bomambu

Hum be

Nkawa

Xiast year, or the year before, the young woman Imenega was tied
to a forked tree and chopped in half with a matchet, beginning
at the left shoulder, chopping down through the chest and abdomen
and out at the side; this was how the sentries punished the
woman's husband.

Bolumba, another woman, wishing to remain faithful to her
husband, had a pointed stake forced into her womb, through the
vagina, and as this did not kill her she was shot.

Ekila of Bokungu, for the same reason, was shot through the
cheek and nose, and then her right hand and left foot cut off; she
did not die, but is there to-day, expecting shortly to become a
mother.

1 found that, as in other towns, enforced public incest formed
amusement for the sentries^ the names given being
Lokugi with his sister Lokomo,
Lokilo with his daughter Efire.

After spending some ti?ae with the people and hearing their
miserable story, also seeing much proof with my own eyes, I made
my departure, but before I came away one young chief stepped out
and said, " Tell them (the rubber agents) we cannot and there-
fore will not find rubber ; we are willing to spend our strength
at any work possible, but rubber is finished. Our mothers, fathers
sisters, brothers, have been murdered in scores for rubber; every
article of any value has been stolen from us, spears, knives, brass-
lets, fowls, dogs, etc., and we are now ruined; if we must either
be massacred or bring rubber, well, let them finish us right off,
then we suppose they will be satisfied."

It was touching to see the old chief as he wrung my hand again
and again. Oh, Inglesia, don't stay away long; if you do, they
will come, I am sure they will come, and then these enfeebled legs
will not support me, I cannot run away. I am near my end; try
and see to it that they let me die in peace; don't stay away."

I was so moved, your Excellency, at these people's story that
1 took the liberty of promising them in the name of the Congo
Free State, that you will only kill them in future for crimes.*
I told them the Inspector Royal was, I hoped, on his way, and that
I was sure he would listen to their story, and give them time to
recover themselves. I further urged upon them the necessity of
building huts a^d planting gardens, otherwise when the wet season
comes they will be starved to death.

The following are the names of some of the people murdered

by the A.B.I. B. for rubber: —

■^Q,xae. Sentry by whom murdered.

Ilombe (man) Nsala

Botuli (man) Banji

Bofaka (man) Bemambu

Lomboto (mother) Luwangi

Ngondo (child) Efonga

Ekom-boto (man) Imenema

Bofaka (child) Belio

Bokilo (man) Efongi

Bofumbo (woman) Efulama

*I7^^ing sentence to be penned at .the opening of the Twentieth
Century.

Name.

Sentry by whom murdered.

Benkanga (chief)

Bangi

Boonga (man)

Sentry unknown

Eleka (chief)

Belio

lyambi (man)

Bofolodza

Neikela (man)

Efulama

Elu-ga (mother and two

Unknown

children)

Likongo (man)

Boyela

Mpeci (man)

Likovata (woman)

Bateko

Boyemi (woman)

Bolumbu (woman)

Linyuka (mother and

two children)

Ntandu

Unknown

Ifasu, Yakabonga, and

Bateko

child

Bofofi

Belio

Bokangu (woman)

Isemenga

Nkanjambi (woman)

Nkomboloko

Mongu (woman)

Unknown

Boko

Ilasa

Ngombi (chief)

Mona

Lifalanga

Bompenji

Jemaka

Lomboto

Longolo

Inoi

Banto

Bompengu

Benpangi

Unknown

Limbala

Lianza or

Eunai (woman)

Unknown

Isekisio

Botugi (chief of

Ntanda

Bokendi section)

Boyo

Isekongo

Child of Beti

Bompengi

Bokecu (woman)

Loma

Elanga (woman)

Bompengu

Eleka (woman)

Unknown

Ekonga (woman)

Wuti

Mposo (woman)

Unknown

Bongenga (woman)

Icoli

Ktewa (woman)

Boti

Ifasa of Bolumbo, and

Ololi

Ntolo (child)

Isekayoko (man)

Unknown

Botaka (mother and child)

Boembi (woman)

Bonkomo and child

B^tuku

Isekyolo

Ilinga (woman)

Unknown

Efondo (woman)

I^manga (woman)

Name. Sentry by whom murdered.

(?) Lwanga (woman)

Nkangi

Lomboto (man)

Bateko

Lokugi of Nombi

Isekalokilo

Liwanga

Isekalokilo's wife

Efongi

Bosengi

Unknown

Ifasu (child)

„

Lingolo

Efulama

Isekasumbu (child)

Unknown

Likumgola

Bolongo

Eluma

Efunda (man), his wife

and child

Bolua

Three children of Bokongi

Elanga, Lokuji, Bolinga

Unknown

Lokuca

Wute

Bengombo

Imena

Ilanga

Unknown

These names were given me without any hesitation, and with
every evidence of truth, by the people. I should say, however, from
experience, that this village has not quite so many killed as others
in the district.

May I urge upon your Excellency the importance, in the
interests of justice, of taking witnesses' testimony nearer than
Boma.*

Owdng to the witnesses from Baringa having been sent over
six months' journey away, the natives are refusing to give necessary
information lest such a long journey will be imposed upon them
too. Already there is a distinct tendency to regard this as punish-
ment for witnessing against their oppressors.

We profit by this opportunity to assure your Excellency that
our only desire is the welfare of these people, and we are at your
service to assist in the righteous government of the natives, with
all our energy and experience.

This has been manifest during the last few days, when, as the
Police officer will tell you, the intervention of the missionaries was
successful in preventing a serious fight between the surrounding
towns, which was assuming grave proportions, and caused consider-
able anxiety to the authorities. It will always be our aim to use
our influence to this end.

I have the honour to be,

Your Excellency's obedient servant,

John H. Harris.

* Witnesses in atrocity cases have to go 1,000 miles away to give evidence
at Boma.— Fide footnote, page 8.

PART 11.

THE REGULATIONS LAID DOWN BY THE COMMISSION,

THE VISIT OF M. MALFEYT, THE ROYAL HIGH

COMMISSIONER, AND THE SEQUEL.

THE iBEQULATIONS AND THE VISIT.

On March 16th, 1905, M. Malfeyt, Royal High Commissioner,
arrived at Baringa. The visit of this high official, the British
Government had been assured last year, would be of a nature to
effect all necessary reforms.

Prior to M. Malfeyt's arrival, the Commissioners, confronted
by the terrible evidence brought by Messrs. Harris, Stannard, and
the other missionaries in the Concession, laid down the following
interpretation of Congolese "law": —

Before a tiax "Vvas fixed an enumeration of the people must
be made.

' No native was to work more than 40 hours a month.
The paying of their taxes in either of certain commodities
'?ii i j^i^as at the option of the natives.

'"'"'The circumstance that a so-called " commercial company ^'
should be empowered to " tax " at all is, needless to remark, an
anomaly, and a practice contrary to elementary notions of
right.^ But it is impossible to deal here with the fundamental
irregularities which underlie the whole conception of Tropical
Administration as practised by the Congo Government. Our task
in this publication is to point out the startling contradictions
"Between the nominal laws and regulations as they exist, and the
manner in which those laws and regulations are carried out in
practice.

Such then were the rules laid down by the Commission of
Inquiry. »

M. Malfeyt's visit, it was understood, would tend to the
re-adjustment of this " taxation," notably to working the 40 hours'
^law, upon the lines laid down by the Commission.

But M. Malfeyt announced that he " had no power to act, and
only came to see and to hear ! "

* In contradiction also to the judgment delivered by the Appeal Cour^
fkt Boina in the Caudron case.

The " re-adjustment of taxation " was left, therefore, in the
hands of the A.B.I.R. representatives.

How it has been carried out, and is being carried out, and how
justified were Mr. Harris' warnings sent to the President of the
Commission of Inquiry, after the departure of the Commission
from Baringa, the following information will disclose.

REPUDIATION OF THE COMMISSION.

Extract of letter from Mr. Stannard to Mr. Morel, dated
April 4th, describing an interview with Mr. Delvaux, Director in
Africa of the A.B.I.R.:

" He spoke of the Commission of Inquiry in a contemptuous
manner, and showed considerable annoyance about the things we
had said to the Commission. He declared the A.B.I.R. had full
authority and power to send out armed sentries, and force the
people to bring in rubber, and to imprison those who did not.
A short time ago, the natives of a town brought in some rubber
to the Agent here, but he refused it because it was not enough,
and the men were thrashed by the A.B.I.R. employes, and driven
away- The Director justified the Agent in refusing the rubber
because the quantity was too small. The Commissioners had
declared that the A.B.I.R. had no power to. send armed sentries into
the towns in order to flog the people and drive them into the forest
to seek rubber ; they were ' guards of the forest,' and that was their
work. When we pointed this out to M. Delvaux, he pooh-poohed
the idea, and said the name had no significance ; some called the
sentries by one name, some by another. We pointed out that the
people were not compelled to pay their taxes in rubber only, but
could bring in other things, or even currency. He denied this,
and said that the alternative tax only meant that an agent could
impose whatever tax he thought fit. It had no reference whatever
to the natives. The A.B.I.R. preferred the taxes to be paid in
rubber. This is what the A.B.I.R. says, in spite of the interpreta-
tion by Baron Nisco, the highest judicial authority in the State,
that the natives could pay their taxes in what they were best able.
All these things were said in the presence of the Royal High Com-
missioner, who, whether he approved or not, certainly did not
Qontradict or protest against them,"

Advices of a similar character have been received from Mr.
Harris. Their accurate description of M. Delvaux's repudiation of
the Commission is, however, borne out by subsequent events.

in.

KENEWAL OF THE REIGN OF OPPRESSION, OUTRAGE AND MASSACRE.

Letter from Mr. Harris to the Com/tiissaire de District, Baringa,

April 10th, 1905: —

C.B.M., Baringa,

April 10th, 1905.
Dear Sir,

The present situation in this district makes it impera-
tive that we submit to you the following. During the visit of the
Commission of Inquiry affairs here were so thoroughly gone into,
and so unhesitatingly condemned, that we were led to hope, with
some confidence, that a better state of affairs would result.
Unfortunately that hope has been falsified. From that time until
the visit of Mons. Delvaux, accompanied by the Royal High
Commissioner, things were comparatively quiet, or at least in abey-
ance. We regret exceedingly that the A.B.I.R. are now reverting
to their former methods. Though we feel that some responsibility
rests upon the Agent, yet we consider that the prime responsibility
belongs to the A.B.I.R. Director, because of the statements made
here by him.

There are many things that are certainly illegal (judged by the
Code Civil and Bulletin Officiel), but we only call your attention
to the most prominent. You are aware, of course, that the state-
ment is being constantly made that cannibal sentries are not
armed. The Nsongo district is notoriously cannibal, and there are,
in the Wala section, eight guns given to Mpombo's men, in order,
we are informed, to force rubber from their own and other sections
of the Nsongo district. An outcome of this is that, at least, the
Eleko section, if not also the Luiza section, have left their towns
and are hiding in the forest, but we are told the ultimate intention
is to migrate to the Juapa.

On Monday, the 3rd inst., considerable firing was heard in the
Esanga town of Elengwa ; later we learned the following particulars
from eye-witnesses; a body of eight or ten A.B.I.R. sentries, armed

with muzzle-loading and Albini guns, were sent from the A.B.I.H.
headquarters, in charge of the Capitas Elisi and Bompasu.

The outcome of this raid upon the people was that Luali, a
chief, and Ilua, a lad, were killed with Albini rifles, and the follow-
ing prisoners captured, tied neck by neck, and taken to the Agent
at Bamo^ the new A.B.I.R. headquarters.

The man Lingendi and the following women and girls: —
Lifumbwa and baby, Besenda and baby, Etongo, Besuka, Bongele,
Iwawa, Ekila, Ifasu; the women were released after working as
prisoners six or seven days.

The Capita Elisi said : " We are killing you because you sell
meat to the missionaries, and do not work rubber ' lankesa la lokolo '
(day and night, or early and late); we will come and kill very many
of you, and finish you off." Will you permit me to offer the follow-
ing observations: —

I. We understood from the Commission of Inquiry that the
work of the " guards of the forest " was to protect the vines, and
not to force the natives into the forest to search for rubber.

II. That it was illegal to send the sentries out armed with
Albini rifles.

III. That it was illegal to imprison women and children.

Of course we knew from the " Code Civil " and " Bulletins
Officiel " that these things were illegal before the Commission
of Inquiry came here, but they were so often committed that we
had almost come to believe that State law did not apply to the
A.B.I.R. You will recognise the serious effect upon us of this raid.
The people have been definitely told that they have been and are
to be killed for selling meat to the missionaries and employes
of the Mission. That means that by buying necessary food from
the natives, we place them under the risk of being either shot or
imprisoned. We submit that this is an intolerable position, both
for us and the natives, and we have consequently given out, that
from this day forward, we cannot buy meat until we have some
effective guarantee that they can sell to us with impunity,

We would also like to call your attention to the fact, that the
laws with regard to taxation have never been in force in this
district. They are —

I. Enumeration of the people.
n. Forty hours' law.
III. Alternate tax law at the option of the natives.

Mons. Delvaux emphatically denied that the alternative tax
law had any relation to the natives; it only meant that the A.B.I. K.
could enforce what they liked.

The only interpretation of the forty hours' law was 4 kilos of
" dry," or 8 kilos of " wet " rubber per man !*

With reference to the raid on the Esanga village, we would
also like to remark, that whilst the Commission of Inquiry was
here, amongst the sentries most often accused of gross irregularities
was this man Bompasu, who was Capita for Mons. Tegnev,
admittedly one of the most brutal white men ever in the district.
The man Bompasu had for some time, prior to the visit of the
Commissioners, been removed from his position on account of his
excesses. It seems to us passing strange, that after the investigation
of the Commission of Inquiry, such men should be reinstated, with
the above result. None knew better than the present Chef de
Factorie the character of this man. because he was Agent with
Mons. Tegnev at Baringa. Bompasu was, we understand, slightly
wounded at Esanga. We appeal to you, as the executive authority
of the district, in the hope that you may be able to do something.
We recognise that we are requesting a great deal of you, in asking
for the effective carrying out of State law. It is manifestly clear to
us that rubber, as at present demanded, can only be procured by
the continued sacrifice of lives, and the shedding of blood, the com-
plete ruin of the forests, and the extermination of the native race.

Is not this too big a price to pay We feel sure you will agree
that it is.

* That is to say, 8 kilos^ instead of 6, as formerly.

We have been compelled to acquaint His Britannic Majesty's
Consul with our position, and beg to enclose a copy of our communi-
cation to him for your perusal.

(Signed) John H. Harris *

Letter from Mr. Stannard to Mr. Morel.

"Baringa, April 7th, 1905.

"The devil's work is in full swing again. The A.B.I.R.
are determined to get their rubber from this district, no matter
what it may cost in the shedding of blood and human suffering.
[Then follows a more detailed account of the raid upon Elengwa,
described in Mr. Harris' letter to the Gommissaire de District,^ The
people have been told that very soon the sentries are coming again
to kill more, and that if they do not bring in rubber they will soon
be 'finished off.' Of course we shall report this to the State, but
what is the use? Its action in regard to Van Caelcken's trial does
not give much encouragement or hope that any real justice will be
done. Surely if a Lagos native has to appear at Boma, and is
sentenced to ten yearsf for being the indirect cause of one woman's
death, then in common justice the Director and Agent of the
A.B.I.R. should be called to account for the murder of these men
(vide Harris' letter to Gommissaire), and the imprisonment of these
women and children. It is the old practice of imprisoning women
and children until they are redeemed by the men of the village.
The sentries who went to Boma for committing so many murders
under Van Caelcken are now back in their towns, and the A.B.I.R.
have been trying to enlist them again in the same kind of work.
I would add that the women prisoners taken at Elengwa were tied
neck by neck, and marched off to the A.B.I.R. prison."

* Mr. Harris sent a copy of this letter to the President of the Commission
of Inquiry in a letter dated April 11th, 1905.
t Sylvanus Jones, a subordinate of Caudron.— F«<^ Caudron Case, ojj. cit.

Letter from Mr. Harris to the Gommissaire de District.

C.B.M., Baringa,

April 26th, 1905.

To Monsieur le Gommissaire de District.

Dear Sir,

On April 10th I informed you that the women and
children captured from Esanga, and put into the A.B.I.R. prison
at Bamo by Mons. Weyn, in order tx) force rubber, had been
released; this, I find, is an error, as no such release has taken
place. On April 18th and 19th I paid a visit to Nsongo for
evangelistic purposes, but I could do very little, as the villages were
destitute of women and children, and the few men remaining were
constructing stockades in order to defend their village^ the reason
being as follows:

In mine to you of April 10th, I informed you that eight muzzle-
loading guns had been given to Mpombo's sons to force rubber from
the people. I wish again to emphasize that these men are notorious
cannibals. They were given the guns by Mons. Weyn when he
visited Nsongo, about a month ago. At the same time, without
counting the people, or even visiting the villages, he ordered them
to bring, every fifteen days, 80 baskets of rubber, i.e., Ngundo
30 baskets, Ikenjo 20, Bolumboloko (Wala) 30.

It seems that when the A.B.I.R. moved its headquarters to
Bamo, these men returned the muzzle-loaders and were given Albini
rifles and ammunition. They then went back to the village to force
rubber. One of these men named Elanga shot the chief of Ngundo,
named Lokoko, and the people of this section managed to capture
both Elanga and his gun. Mpombo, the senior chief of district,
agreed to Ngundo people doing as they liked with his son Elanga,
if only they would deliver up the rifle, as he was afraid the A.B.I.R.
would give him a " big palaver." This they agreed to do, and
Mpombo returned the gun ; the fate of Mpombo's son Elanga is
not known.

At the expiration of about 14 days, i.e., four days ago, Mpombo
sent all the rubber he had been able to force to the Agent at Bamo ;
this was in charge of the six sentries^ armed with Albini rifles.
Accompanying this party was another, composed of men, women
and children, who were going to the river bank, in order to exchange
palm nuts, oil, etc., with the people on the opposite side, and they
agreed to wait there for the party returning from Bamo. After
they had been waiting for some time a party did arrive, but it
was not the one they were waiting for — the whole company, rubbur
carriers and sentries, had in the meantime been put in the A.B.I.R.
prison. It was the redoubtable Bompasu, armed in true brigand
fashion — Albini rifles and cartridge pouch across the shouldtM-,
revolver and knife stuck in his belt; under his command was a
body of about 20 A.B.I.R. sentries, armed also with Albini rifles,
cartridge pouches and knives; these were supported by an ill-
assorted company of " braves," armed with spears, shields, knives,
etc. Of course the market people were no match for such a formid-
able body; some few are thought to have escaped, but nearly all
were made prisoners ; the man Lokononga is dying in the bush, run
through the body and thigh by one of BomjDasu's command.
Isekolima is also lying in the forest, but there are hopes of his
recovery. The first batch of prisoners was sent off to the rubber
agent, and the expedition then proceeded against the Nsongo village
of Bolumboloko (Wala). Its main object seems to have been the
capture of the chief Mpombo. The reason for this no one seems
to know, unless it was because the rubber was insufficient; but
Mpombo seems to have done all a man could do to force more.
However, Bompasu arrived and captured many people; the full
number is not yet known, because the majority of the natives are
still hiding in the bush; but certainly the following are in prison
at Bamo, besides the captures made at the native market :

Men — Nsala, Lofiko, Elisi, Esengi, Bompendu, Mongu, Elika,
Isompombo, Mala, Ifelo, Etotoi, Eali, Bokamana.

Women and Girls — Inungo, Longundo, Bokeni, Bompenju,
Bongengeli, Ekila I., Ekila II., Mombi, Lolula.

I found there a baby whose mother, Lolula, was captured, and
taken away to .prison.. .We %re trying to keep it alive till its
mother is released to feed it.

All the fowls were seized — some thirty or forty, and four dogs,
to feed Bompasu's retinue ; the back part of the chiefs house pulled
down for firewood. All the *' valuables " were looted, including
hunting nets to the value of £8 or .£10, and carried ofif by Bompasu
and his followers. This was especially hard, as just before and
after the visit of the Commission of Inquiry there had been a
relaxation of the severe treatment they had received at the hands
of MM. Pilaet and Van Caelcken, which had enabled them to
gather a few things together. To show how little supervision is
given to ammunition, I would point out that the sentries entered
the village firing off cartridges in all directions, apparently in order
to frighten the people. An unused cartridge was picked up in the
house in which I slept (I have given this to the police officer).
I also saw a dog that had been shot in two places by Albini bullets.

I saw the woman Loko, who, being lame, refused to go as a
prisoner to Bamo. Boni gashed her arm and thigh as punishment,
and then released her; both cuts are about three or four inches
long, but the one on the arm is very deep.

What I have written you is all that is known at present. The
people are afraid that there are others in the bush^ either dead or
dying, and many other women and children prisoners at Bamo.
We have only too much reason to believe that these expeditions
are being sent out daily into other districts, but being beyond the
immediate section we cannot learn reliable particulars.

Just before I left Nsongo on the 19th inst., a young man
arrived there from Bamo, and told the people their women and
children were starving in the A.B.l.R. prison; also that he had
seen, that very morning, Bompasu and about 20 to 30 A.B.l.R.
sentries, armed with Albini and muzzle-loading rifles, accompanied
by many spears and shields, depart for some district, with orders
to fight the people. Bompasu was told that when he returns he is
to undertake another expedition to Nsongo. To-day I have been
told that the Ikelemba section of Esanga was attacked yesterday
by a contingent of armied men under Bo'mftasu, but at present do

not know any particulars. We have reason to believe that the
present Chef de Factorie has applied for a transfer to a district
where his actions would be only known to the unfortunate natives.
Usually such men are sent to such places; but, though this would
be preferable to the A.B.I.E., it would be, and is, very bad both for
the natives aud the reputation of the State. I take this occasion of
calling your attention to the treatment of paddlers, feeling confident
that you are ignorant of the same.

The A.B.I.R. seem to think that, no matter how badly they
treat paddlers, they should always be willing to come in numbers
to paddle for them. Nearly three weeks ago, 30 to 40 paddlers took
an agent to Bamo from here, and because they did not arrive before
sunset, were flogged and put in the A.B.I.R. prison. They have
since been carrying soil for miles in gangs, in order to build the
white man a house. Can you wonder that the chiefs often persuade
and bribe Aen to paddle in vain?

On Feb. 26th the Baringa chief was summarily arrested and
sent down river by the rubber agent, Mons. Weyn, because under
these conditions he could not persuade two men to paddle. He has
now been in detention nearly two months. In the meantime all
his own affairs are being left to care for themselves. All the fore-
going facts have been given to Monsieur the Lieutenant Otterly.

I am, yours sincerely,

John H. Harris.

p.g. — ^l might also mention to you that the cartridge picked up at
Nsougo was an ordinary "soft-nose," split, with the object,
apparently, of inflicting a severe wound

•fo Monsieur le Commissaire de District.
Dear Sir,

I find the last expedition sent by Mons. Weyn was
not against Ikelemba itself, but the adjoining villages of Ngongi,
Bonsombo, Nganza. The killed and wounded are variously reported
as being from five to fifteen men and women^ but we have reason
to believe the correct number is ten. The Chef de Factorie here is
guilty of so many illegalities, and flagrant violation of the law,
that we feel you will agree with us that his immediate and effectual
arrest is demanded, both in the interests of justice and humanity.
At any rate, it is clear that he is not a fit man to have absolute
control over thousands of the subject race, from whose exploitation
he personally benefits, and has at his disposal the very considerable
armoury and unrestricted ammunition of the A.B.I. R., with the
deplorable results we have already indicated, and others of which
we only hear rumours. The paddlers I referred to in my former
letter are still prisoners, and this in spite of the protests of Monsieur
the Lieutenant Otterly, the police officer.

John H. Harris.

Extract of letter from Mr. Harris to Dr. Guinness.

April 20, 1905.

"It is terrible to watch these poor people being massacred
almost daily to force the rubber. . . . Undoubtedly things are
worse to-day."

PART III.
HOSTAaE TAKING FOR RUBBER.

Extracts from proceedings in the Trial of M. Van Caelcken.

M. Van Caelcken was one of the subordinate agents of the
A.B.I.E. at Baringa, arrested (after threatening to kill Messrs.
Harris and Stannard) owing to the exposure of the atrocities
committed by his soldiers.

The trial began on December 8th. Charges brought by Public
Prosecutor :

(1) Arresting and tying up five women as hostages for rubber.

(2) Giving rifles to soldiers, the better to force rubber out

of the people.

In his defence, M. Van Caelcken :

" Avowed publicly that he tied up the women himself
personally, and gave them to Chief Belio, near his Station,
to be detained."

" Bases his power on a letter of the Commissaire-General
de Bauw (the Supreme Executive Officer in the District),
and in a circular transmitted to him by his Director, ani
signed * Costermans ' (Governor-General), which he read to
the Court, deploring the diminished output in rubber, and
saying that the Agents of the A.B.I.R. should not forget
that they have the same powers of * contrainte par corps '
(bodily detention) as were delegated^ to the agents of the
Societe C ommerciale Anversoise au Congo, for the increase
of rubber production; that if the Governor-General or his
Commissaire-General did not know what they were writing
and what they signed, he knows what orders he had to obey ;
it was not for him to question the legality or illegality of
these orders; his superiors ought to have known and have
weighed what they wrote before giving him orders to
execute ; that bodily detention of natives for rubber was no
secret, seeing that at the end of every month a statement of
'contrainte par corps' (bodily detention) during the month
has to be furnished in duplicate, the book signed, and one of
the copies transmitted to the Government."

Proof OF Official Eecognition given to the Practice.

Tbe above allegations are strictly true, and:explain the light-
ness of the sentence passed upon Van Caelcken. "~.

* By Governor-General Wahis, present Governor'General. ^Hde Caudron
Case, Africa No. 9, 1904.)

Here, moreover, is one of the printed
detention," referred to by the accused.

statements of bodily

CO
O

c
o
o

H-2

-§

-♦*

2 *-<

>;
n3

§3

The preceding document was published in the pamphlet entitled
" Red Rubber/'* together with circulars, and extracts of letters
signed by Messrs. Albert Longtain (Director of the A.B.I.R. at the
end of the Commission's visit), by M. Delvaux (present Director of
the A.B.I.R.), and by the Home Executive of this so-called Society,
proving that the practice has been universally carried out for many'
years, with the knowledge of the Supreme Executive of the Congo
State in the Congo, the Home Executive of the A.B.I.R., and the
principal officials of that Society on the spot. A reference to the
evidence of the missionaries, especially that of Mr. Ruskin, will
convey an appreciation of its effects upon the people.

That the practice is still in full swing, even in the neighbour-
hood of the Mission Stations — and how much more so in the remote
districts, where no outside observers exist, may be surmised — will be
seen from the account of the raid, in April of the present year, by
A.B.I.R. soldiers, acting under the orders of the representative of
that Society at Bamo, upon the village of Bolumboloko. It would
seem, moreover, that although subordinate agents continue to be
prosecuted and sentenced to trivial punishments for this practice
when circumstances connected with any specific case are brought
prominently to the notice of the Judicial Authorities, the circulars
of the Grovernor-Greheral and the Commissaire-General have not
been rescinded.

C.
Laws and Deeds.

In this connection Mr. Harris, writing to Mr. Morel, under date
of March 25th, 1905, says:

'' One of the strangest features of the Congo administration is
the peculiar relations that- exist between the judicial officers and
the Executive. For instance, a judicial officer pronounces a certain
course of action undoubtedly illegal, but that makes no difference at
all in practice. The action is pursued just as if such a judgment
had never been given. In the Caudron case it was held by the
Judge of the Supreme Court that the Governor-General had no

• Op., cit.

power to give ' commercial companies ' the right to force a tax in
rubber upon the people by imprisoning them if they failed to comply
with such illegal demands. On March 6th of this year, a document
was shown to Mr. Stannard and to myself, authorizing the A.BJ.R.
Agents by name to force the people to bring in a rubber tax, and
if they refused, to imprison them. This was to be done without any
trial whatever. The document was dated December 1st, 1904, and
bore the signature of Governor Coster mans."

Evidence of the universality of this practice all over the Congo
is to be found in a number of published documents, extending over
a number of years, amongst which may be mentioned the Mongalla
revelations of 1901 and the judgment of the Boma Courts; the
Caudron judgment; Consul Casement's report; the revelations of
Lieutenant Tilkens in the Belgian Parliamentary debates; the
reports of Italian officers from the Province Orientale ; of mission-
aries from the Katanga region ; of Mr. Scrivener from the Domaine
de la Couromie ; Mr. Weeks from Monserabe ; Mr. Ackermann from
the Lomami, etc., etc.

Under present conditions, indeed, the taking of hostages — a
covering name for a peculiarly atrocious form of slavery — is a
necessary adjunct to the forced production of vast quantities of
india-rubber. Nor is it likely to be relinquished, seeing that the
present Governor-General of the Cbngo State, who has been rein-
stated in his position, and is now in supreme executive control of the
whole territory, himself authorised in writing a practice declared on
paper to be " illegal," and even sometimes punished by nominal
terms of imprisonment in the case of men in subordinate positions,
but authorised and encouraged by the Executive itself.

The Scandal of Governor-General Wahis' Return to the Congo.

The following letter appeared in the Morning Post and the
Daily News of 2nd May:

'■.Sir,-^It .is now definitely, announced in the Belgian papers
that General Baron Wahis will 5ail by the next Antwerp steamer
to the Congo as Governor-General.^ No more instructive incident

♦Governor-General Wahis is now exercising his supreme functions.

could have arisen to shew the complete hopelessness of any real
change of policy in the Congo under the present regime. It is only
necessary to point out that Governor-General Wahis has been, all
these years, the incarnation in Africa of the policy of King Leopold,
whose ' personal mandatory ' he is while in Africa, by the terms of
the Congolese Constitution. He has thus not only been intimately
associated with all the deplorable aspects of that policy, which have
gradually been dragged to light, but he has been actually the
supreme director of that policy on the spot. Only the other day,
in the Belgian House, circulars promulgated by him as Governor-
General, acting on instructions from Brussels, in connection with
the disgraceful system of paying officials proportionately to the
amount of rubber and ivory obtained by them from their respective
districts, were exposed fully for the first time. (The translation of
the amazing revelations made in the course of this debate will be
found in the Congo Supplement of the West African Mail for
April, and have been commented upon in the Morning Post.)

"Nor is this all. In the recent trial and conviction of the
man Caudron, of the Mongalla Trust, as published in * Africa No. 9,
1904,* the Judge of the Appeal Court at Bbma — ^that is to say,
the highest judicial authority in the Congo State, and a member,
moreover, of the Commission of Inquiry — declared in the most
specific manner that the written authorisation given by Governor-
General Wahis to the officials of that Trust to levy taxes in rubber
upon the people, and to imprison them if they failed to comply,
was illegal, and that the accused, in acting upon the Govfernor-
G^neral's authorisation, acted illegally in imprisoning natives for
this ' offence.' The gravity of the Governor-General's act was all
the greater, inasmuch as three years previously a number of agents
of the same Trust were condemned to long terms of imprisonment
(which they have never served, all being free men in Belgium at
the present day), for similar practices, which had led, on their own
confession, and as the records of the tribunals shew, to the death
of hundreds of women from starvation in prison. Soon after the
publication of the judgment in the Caudron case, which first
appeared in the Congo Supplement of the West African Mail for
May of last year, King LfCopold issued a Manifesto calling upon
the judicial establishment of the Congo State to ' seek out ' all who,
whatsoever their rank or title, had been guilty of perpetrating or
authorising illegalities towards the natives, and the Sovereign of

the Congo State, in the same Manifesto, expressed his unswerving
determination to punish all persons guilty of such offences, no
matter who they might be. Yet in the face of the deliberate judg-
ment of the highest judicial officer in the Congo State^, and in the
face of King Leopold's Manifesto, and yet again in the face of all
that has gone before, which is now only gradually being revealed,
Grovernor-General Wahis returns once more as the King's 'personal
mandatory' in Africa.

Yours, etc.,

" E. D. MOREL."
"Hawarden, 29th April."

PART IV.
CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT.

The following correspondence has passed between the Foreign
Office and the Congo Reform Association, relative to the position
of affairs in the A.B.I.R. territories:

31st May, 19Q5.

To the Most Hon. the Marquess of Lansdowne, K.G.,
Foreign Office, London.

My Lord, — I am desired to inform your Lordship, on behalf
of this Association, that the information received by us from the
British missionaries at Baringa, in the territory of the A.B.I. It.
concession, is increasingly grave in character.

In the course of the debate in the House of Commons on
9th June, 1904, the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs
detailed certain measures which, according to the information
supplied to H.M. Government, had been adopted, or were about
to be adopted, by the Government of the Congo State "for the
protection of tlje natives,"

Those measures included " the creation of a new office of Royal
High Commissioner of the Congo." This official had been instructed
" to ensure the complete execution " of reforms. The A.B.I.R.
Company had also issued " instructions forbidding restrictions on
the freedom of commerce," and had itself " sent out an officer,
armed with independent powers, to enquire into its administration,
and to insist upon the removal of any officials whom he thinks ought
to be removed."

I regret to state that the advices received by this Association
are of a nature to shew that these measures have been illusory,
and that neither the visit of the " Royal High Commissioner " to the
A.B.I.R. territory, nor the visit of the A.B.I. R.'s " officer," nor yet
the visit of the Commission of Inquiry, have resulted in any better-
ment of the condition of the natives.

They have not led to any modification in the claims upon the
produce of the soil, upon the labour and upon the bodies of the
people, asserted and exercised by the A.B.I.R. Society with (as is
now proved by the proceedings in the trial of M. Van Caelcken)
the entire approval of the Executive, and which, in the opinion of
this Association, are the cause of the terrible abuses prevailing.
Indeed, these claims, far from having lessened, would appear to
have actually increased.

Writing under date of 25th March last, Mr. J. H. Harris, of
Baringa (the veracity of whose reports, as those of his colleagues,
so far as they were concerned with atrocities committed by the
employes of the A.B.I.R. prior to the arrival of the Commission of
Inquiry, was amply demonstrated before the Commission), informs
us that each native has now " to bring in four kilos, of dry rubber,
which means eight kilos, of fresh rubber, compared with six kilos,
as formerly." This imposition, which is a fortnightly one, the
natives are unable to comply with. It is irreconcilable with the
)iew law which the "Royal High Commissioner" was, apparently,
deputed to arrange (although that official was not, it would seem,
invested with any '' administrative powers "), viz. : that the demands
of the A.B.I.R. Society upon the natives should not involve them
in more than forty hours' laboitr per month. To the increasing
impossibility, in view of the rapid exhaustion of the forests, of
obtaining within the time specified the six kilos, demanded of them
every fortnight, are due the cruel * sufferings to which the natives

have been subjected during the many years these claims have been
enforced upon them. An increased imposition is hardly calculated
to allay those sufferings. It would appear indeed that^ despairing
of their condition and prospects, the natives are determined to die
rather than endeavour to fulfil the hopeless task of satisfying
demands apparently limitless; for in a postscriptum, dated 28th
March, to the above-mentioned communication, Mr. Harris says :

" A.B.I.E. is attempting to force rubber with scores of
sentries armed with muzzle-loaders. The natives have refused,
and say they will rise en masse. A number of sentries have been
speared. Chief Bomolo of Bolemboloko, Chief Isekalongi of
Lotoko, and other chiefs have sworn they will die sooner than
suffer again as they did before the Commission came. They
say : ' Shew us where to find the rubber and we will work it ;
if not, come and kill us, we can but die once.' Government
troops have been sent for. The A.B.I.R. are furious with us."

The last sentence in the above letter, which confirms several
previous letters from Mr. Harris, suggests that the British mission-
aries at Baringa and other places in the A.B.I.E. Society's territory
may run serious dangers from the resentment they have incurred
from the Society's representatives in boldly- reporting the abuses
of which they have had cognisance. As your Lordship is aware,
that resentment was exhibited to them upon several occasions prior
to their revelations before the Commission of Inquiry.

From the above information it would appear that? matters are,
if anything, in a worse condition than formerly, and that the
assurances given to his Majesty's Government have not been kept.
It is no doubt true that several subordinate agents of the A.B.I.R.
Society have recently been arrested, and in some cases sentenced
to trivial punishments, but it is also the case that the representative
in Africa of that Society, who was in supreme executive control of
its operations at the time when many of the atrocities denounced
took place, has been allowed to return to Europe, while his second
in command is now in supreme executive control.

I would also respectfully suggest to your Lordship, as a matter
justifying further representations to the Congo Government, the
position of native witnesses in cases of atrocity. We are informed
by the missionaries ^.t Baringa that native witnesses sent last Julj^

a thousand miles to Boma, in order to testify before the Courts,
had not yet returned to their homes when our last advices were
received. "=^ Treatment such as this is not of a kind to encourage the
natives — living as they have done upon the Society's territory under
a reign of terror for the past seven years — to come forward for
the purpose of testifying to the wrongs inflicted upon them.

I have the honour to be, my Lord,

Your Lordship's obedient servant,

(Sgd.) E. D. MOREL,

Hon. Secretary.

Foreign Office,

14th June, 1905.

Sir, — In reply to your letter of the 31st ultimo, in which you
call attention to the alleged continued ill-treatment of natives in
the Congo State, I am directed by the Marquess of Lansdowne to
inform you that various reports have reached his Majesty's Govern-
ment with regard to the manner in which the administration of
the Free State has been conducted since the departure of the
Commission of Inquiry, and that his Majesty's Minister at Brussels
has been instructed to make representations to the Congo G-overn-
ment on the subject.

I am. Sir,
Your most obedient^ humble servant,

(Sgd.) F. A. CAMPBELL.

The Hon. Secretary to the Congo Reform Association,
4, Oldhall Street, Liverpool.

* The bulk of them have since retnrned, several having died. They have
been kept away some ten months,

15th June, 1905.

To the Most Hon. the Marquess of Lansdowne, K.G.,
Foreign Office, London.

My Lord, — ^I am instructed by my Committee to forward to
your Lordship copies of the two resolutions attached.

The first was passed by the Committee of this Association at
a meeting held in the House of Commons, under the chairmanship
of Earl Beauchamp, on 7th June; and the second was passed at a
public meeting held in Holborn Town Hall, Sir Harry Johnston in
the chair, on the same day.

I have the honour to be, my Lord,

Your Lordship's obedient servant,

(Sgd.) E. B. MOREL,

Hon. Secretary.

KESOLUTION PASSED BY THE COMMITTEE OF THE CONGO REFORM

ASSOCIATION AT A MEETING HELD ON 7tH JUNE, UNDER THE

CHAIRMANSHIP OF EARL BEAUCHAMP, IN COMMITTEE ROOM NO. 12

OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS.

" That this Committee, in view of the increasing gravity of the
position of affairs in the Upper Congo, where many British subjects
are established, urges once more upon H. M. Government to exer-
cise its rights of extra-territorial jurisdiction secured under treaty
with the Congo Government ; and while expressing satisfaction with
the appointment of two Vice-Consuls in the Upper Congo, strongly
recommends that Coquilhatville be selected as the place of residence
in addition to^ or instead of, Leopoldville."

" That this meeting condemns the present system of personal
rule established by the Sovereign of the Congo Independent State,
and expresses its conviction that this system, which has resulted
in an unrestricted claim over the produce of the soil, fails to fulfil
the pledges in relation to the welfare of the natives given under
the Berlin Act ; that this meeting desires to dissociate its condemna-
tion of the existing rule in the Congo Independent State from any

aspersion on the Belgian people; that it invites the Bfelgian people
to take up the administration of the Congo Independent State as
a national task, respecting the legitimate rights of the natives of
the soil and throwing open the whole of the basin of the Congo to
international commerce, without undue restrictions; that in the
event of the Belgian nation being unable or unwilling to assume
this responsibility, this meeting considers it to be necessary that
the Signatory Powers to the Berlin Act should, in concert with the
United States of America, devise and put in force a scheme for the
good government of the Congo Independent State, which shall fulfil
the aspirations originally expressed by the representatives of the
Powers assembled at the African Congress of Berlin."

Foreign Office,

22nd June, 1905.

Sir, — I am directed by the Marquess of Lansdowne to acknow-
ledge the receipt of your letter of 15th instant, forwarding copies
of Resolutions passed at a meeting of the Committee of the Congo
Reform Association on 7th instant, and at a public meeting held
in Holbcrn Town Hall on the same day, and I am to inform you
that the views expressed in these two Resolutions will be carefully
borne in mind.

I am at the same time to observe, with reference to the sugges-
tion that a British Vice-Consul should be appointed to reside at
Coquilhatville, that Leopoldville was adopted as a place of residence
on the recommendation of the British Consul at Boma.

I am, Sir,

Your most obedient, humble servant,

(Sgd.) F. H. VILLIERS.

E. D. Morel, Esq.,

Congo Reform Association,

4, Oldhall Street, Liverpool.

27th June, 1905.

To the Most Hon. the Marquess of Lansdowne, K.G,,
Foreign Office^ London.

My Lord, — I beg to express my thanks for your Lordship's
letter of 22nd instant. Might I venture respectfully to suggest,
with regard to the question of the residence of the British Vice-
Consul at Leopoldville, that it might perhaps be possible, pending
the construction of a residence at that place, for the Vice-Consul to
reside for a time in, or at any rate to pay a visit to, the Equateur
district, especially the A.B.I.R. concession? I received, yesterday,
further letters from that part of the Congo, bringing information
down to 28th April, and although my correspondents make no
further allusion to their own position, their letters contain distress-
ing allusions to the condition of affairs in their neighbourhood,
further corroboratingf their previous advices, the nature of which I
had the honour of communicating to your Lordship on 31st May.
The news from the neighbourhood of Baringa is particularly bad,
and it is difficult to resist the conclusion thAt those in authority in
that part of the country are deliberately using the interval pending
the publication of the Report of the Commission of Inquiry, to
force increasing quantities of india-rubber out of the people by any
and every form of outrage and oppression. Mr. Harris sends me
a copy of a letter he has written to the Gommissaire de District,
describing the raid made by the soldiers of the A.B.I.R. from the
post of Bamo upon the village of Bolumboloko, in the Nsongo
district, which was accompanied by the usual incidents : murder,
the carrying off of men, women and girls as hostages, wholesale
looting, etc. Mr. Harris' letter is most detailed as to names, dates,
etc., but I forbear to trouble your Lordship with them. I venture,
however, to urge most respectfully that, apart from the question
of the position in which British missionaries are placed in the
A.B.I.R. territory, the visit of a British official to the A.B.I.R.
territory might result in an alleviation of the terrible sufferings
to which the native population is being subjected, in defiance of

promises and pledges, and of the visit of a Royal Commissioner, and
despite the regulations laid down upon paper by the Commission
of Inquiry. I may add, in conclusion, that information has been
reaching me for some time past from non-missionary sources, to the
effect that the state of affairs in the far interior of the concession,
especially in the Upper Maringa, beyond Baringa, the Upper Lopori
and the Tchuapa, is infinitely worse than that which has been
revealed in the vicinity of the mission stations.

Apologising for the length of this letter,
I have the honour to be, my Lord,

Your Lordship's obedient servant,

(Sgd.) E. D. MOREL,

Hon. Secretary.

Foreign Office,

5th July, 1905.

Sir, — I am directed by the Marquess of Lansdowne to acknow-
ledge the receipt of your letter of 27th ultimo, and to thank you
for the suggestion that the new British Vice-Consul at Leopoldville
should, pending the construction of a residence there, pay a visit
to the Equator district. His Lordship will give the matter his
consideration,

I am, Sir,

Your most obedient, humble servant,

(Sgd.) F. H. VILLIERS.

E. D. Morel, Esq.,

Congo Reform Association,

4, Oldhall Street, Liverpool.

28th June, 1905.

To the Most Hon. the Marquess of Lansdowne, K.G.,
Foreign Office^ London.

My Lord, — I beg to append herewith extract of letter received
from the Rev. J. H. Harris, dated Baringa, 11th May.

I also enclose extract of a letter from the Rev. A. E. Scrivener,
of Bolobo, dated 10th May.

I have the honour to be, my Lord,

Your Lordship's obedient servant,

(Sgd.J E. D. MOREL,

Hon. Secretary.

ENCLOSURES.

Extract of Letter from Rev. A. E. Scrivener.

" The witnesses I sent down to Boma last December, in connec-
tion with the trial of Massard, are still there. (Tliey may be on
their way up, but I think not.) I have written to the Director of
Justice, beseeching him to use his best endeavours to bring about
their speedy return to their homes. For the poor old Chief this
long absence is very trying. One of the boys I sent down has died
there."

Extract of Letter from Rev. J. H. Harris.

Referring to the alleged re-arrest of Messrs. Pilaet and
Thomson, subordinate agents of the A.B.I.R., on fresh charges,
Mr. Harris writes :

" In these cases a hundred native witnesses have been
asked for. This has had the effect of closing the mouths of all
those aware of atrocities. In the case of a White man charged,
all witnesses must go to Boma, which is equivalent to a White
man going from Europe to China — different language, different
food, different customs, etc. It is a monstrous iniquity, devised
to conceal the truth and liberate the subordinate officials."

Foreign Office,

6th July, 1905.

Sir, — I am directed by the Marquess of Lansdowne to acknow-
ledge with thanks the receipt of your letter of the 28th ultimo,
respecting the hardship involved in sending native witnesses to
Boma to give evidence at the trials of White men.

A copy of your letter has been sent to his Majesty's Minister
at Brussels, with instructions to endeavour to ascertain from the
Congo Government why such trials cannot be held at Bassankusu,
in the A.B.I.R. concession, at which place it was understood by his
Majesty's Government that a judge had recently been appointed
to reside.

I am. Sir,
^ Your most obedient, humble servant,

(Sgd.) F. H. VILLIERS.
The Hon. Secretary, Congo Reform Association.

July 12th, 1905.

The most Hon. the Marquess of Lansdowne, K.G.,
Foreign Office^ London.

My Lord, — I beg to enclose herewith a cutting from the
Antwerp newspaper, La Tribune Congolaise, describing a tour of
inspection by the Royal High Commissioner, M. Malfeyt, in the
A.B.I.R. concession, where it would seem everything is satisfactory,
the presence of " turbulent " missionaries alone interfering with the
convenience of the Society. My chief object in venturing to draw
your Lordship's attention to this account, is the evidence it displays
of a desire to attribute sinister motives to the British missionaries
residing on the A.B.I.R. concession, in the pursuance of their
obvious duty of reporting to the local authorities the outrages and
abuses which continue to take place. Denounced by many Belgian
papers as " turbulent " and " political," and subjected to much
unpleasantness from the representative of the A.B.I.R. Society
locally, their position seems full of difficulty. The true state of
affairs in the A.B.I.R. concession, described as satisfactory in the
above referred to account, may be estimated by the letter written
to the Commission of the Equateur District, by Mr. Harris, dated
April 26th, describing a raid upon the Wala village of Bolumboloko,
in the Nsongo district, a copy of which I beg to hand your Lordship
herewith.*

I have the honour to be, my Lord,

Your Lordship's obedient servant,

(Sgd.) E. D. MOREL,

Hon. Secretary.

*TMs letter is given in Part III., C.

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Full text of "Evidence laid before the Congo Commission of Inquiry at Bwembu, Bolobo, Lulanga, Baringa, Bongandanga, Ikau, Bonginda, and Monsembe. Together with a summary of events (and documents connected therewith) on the A.B.I.R. concession since the Commission visited that territory"

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