The International Association of the Congo was recognized by the United
States April 22, 1884. Nine months afterward, recognition was secured
from Germany and, later, successively from the other European Powers.
Two international conferences were held at which the Powers constituted
themselves guardians of the people of the Congo territory, the
Association binding itself to regard the principles of administration
adopted. In both these conferences the United States government
prominently participated. The Act of Berlin was not submitted by the
President of the United States for ratification by the Senate because
its adoption as a whole was thought by him to involve responsibility for
support of the territorial claims of rival Powers in the Congo region.
The Act of Brussels, with a proviso safeguarding this point, was
formally ratified by the United States. Whether we are without
obligation to reach a hand to this expiring people, the intelligent
reader will judge for himself.
“Stanley saw neither fortress nor flag of any civilization save that
of the United States, which he carried along the arterial water
course.... The first appeal for recognition and for moral support
was naturally and justly made to the government whose flag was first
carried across the region.”—_Mr. Kasson in North American Review,
February, 1886._
“This Government at the outset testified its lively interest in the
well-being and future progress of the vast region now committed to
your Majesty’s wise care, by being the first among the Powers to
recognize the flag of the International Association of the Congo as
that of a friendly State.”—_President Cleveland to King Leopold,
September 11, 1885._
“The recognition by the United States was the birth into new life of
the Association, seriously menaced as its existence was by opposing
interests and ambitions.”—_Mr. Stanley, “The Congo,” vol. 1, page
383._
“He (the President of the United States) desires to see in the
delimitation of the region which shall be subjected to this
beneficent rule (of the International Association of the Congo) the
widest expansion consistent with the just territorial rights of
other governments.”—_Address of Mr. Kasson, U. S. Representative at
Berlin Conference, 1884._
“So marked was the acceptance by the Berlin Conference of the views
presented on the part of the United States that Herr Von Bunsen,
reviewing the action of the Conference, assigns after Germany the
first place of influence in the Conference to the United
States.—_Mr. Kasson in North American Review, February, 1886._
“In sending a representative to this Assembly, the Government of the
U. S. has wished to show the great interest and deep sympathy it
feels in the great work of philanthropy which the Conference seeks
to realize. Our country must feel beyond all others an immense
interest in the work of this Assembly.”—_Mr. Terrell, U. S.
Representative at Brussels Conference, 1st session, November 19,
1889._
“Mr. Terrell informs the Conference that he has been authorized by
his Government to sign the General Act adopted by the Conference.
“The President says that the U. S. Minister’s communication will be
received by the Conference with extreme satisfaction.”—_Records of
Brussels Conference, June 28, 1890._
“Claiming, as at Berlin, to speak in the name of Almighty God, the
signatories (at Brussels) declared themselves to be ‘equally
animated by the firm intention of putting an end to the crimes and
devastations engendered by the traffic in African slaves, of
protecting effectually the aboriginal populations and of ensuring
the benefits of peace and civilization.’”—_“Civilization in Congo
land,” H. R. Fox Bourne._
“The President continues to hope that the Government of the U. S.,
which was the first to recognize the Congo Free State, will not be
one of the last to give it the assistance of which it may stand in
need.”—_Remarks of Belgian President of Brussels Conference, session
May 14, 1890._
[Illustration:
A WITNESS BEFORE THE COMMISSION REV. JOHN H. HARRIS MISSIONARY AT
BARINGA, CONGO STATE
]
[Illustration:
A WITNESS BEFORE THE COMMISSION LOMBOTO A NATIVE OF BARINGA, CONGO
STATE
]
“There, great chiefs from Europe, stands the man who has murdered
our fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters for rubber. Why, why I
say, has he done this?”—_The witness Lomboto, confronting the
Director of the A. B. I. R. Society at the hearing at Baringa._