Summary of 1910 Encyclopedia Britannica "European Reaction to Leopold's Abuses" and Leopold II's letter "The Sacred Mission of Civilization"

        -- In the late 19^th Century the Belgian parliament had passed controversial decrees. These decrees made all vacant land in the Congo the domain of the state and created a state monopoly on ivory and rubber. This monopoly was amended to allow for private companies to trade in the Congo but those companies were either influenced by the state as a major shareholder or gave a percentage of their profits to the state.

 

       -- Several major powers brought many charges against the state, the major player being Great Britain. These countries accused The Congo government of monopolizing and treating the natives harshly. A British official made a trip through the Congo in 1903 and wrote a report about the conditions there, greatly strengthening the British accusations. Leopold was forced to create a commission of inquiry to go to the Congo and “investigate the condition of the natives, and if necessary recommend reforms.

 

        -- The commission of inquiry published a report on its findings in 1905. They found that while the condition of the natives was less than satisfactory, forced labor was the only possible way to reap the benefits of the natural resources. They did acknowledge as well that there was no trade between the natives themselves and that a law be passed limiting the amount of labor per native be kept to 40 hours a month. As this report was published a commission to “study the recommendations contained in the report and formulate detailed proposals” was formed.

 

        -- King Leopold passed several decrees to rectify the problems which fell far short of serious reforms. The Belgians however viewed the decrees as restriction of Belgium’s liberty of action in the Congo. Britain on the other hand was not happy with the reforms and threatened that they would have to reconsider their treaties in the Congo if things did not change.

 

         -- Britain and America became increasingly hostile to Belgian reforms after this and demanded that something be done to improve the Congo system. In 1907 Belgium signed a treaty announcing the cession of the Congo to Belgium. This move aggravated even the most loyal Belgian politicians.

 

            -- Leopold gave up the Foundation in the Congo but he got a very generous compensation package. He retained most of his personal land in the Congo and was to be paid by the conony two million pounds in debt. Belgium also respected the concessions granted to the companies that held large amounts of land.

 

           -- Leopold states in his letter that, “When our directing will is implanted among [the natives] its aim is to triumph over all obstacles.” He believed that philanthropic influence could achieve the results that he wanted.

 

           -- He also states that action is a necessary option. To him war does not mean destruction it only serves as a means to implant that directing will. His agents “feel profoundly reluctant to use force” on the natives.

 

     --  The soldiers who are recruited from the natives are of the belief that an enemy is only defeated when he is destroyed. They must follow the influence of the White Officer to find the true way. These natives must find their civilization through their European leaders.

 

             -- The officers, volunteers from the Belgian army, all have a strong sense of honor and patriotism. They will spare the natives and teach them the benevolent ways of civilization.