Minister Wilson to
the Secretary of State.
American Legation,
Brussels, July 12,
1907.
No. 199.]
Sir: I have the honor to report that at the
session of the Belgian House of Representatives on July 10, the prime
minister, J. de Trooz, responding to an interpellation submitted by
Deputy Paul Hymans, leader of the Liberal party, stated that the
Government proposed immediately to take up the question of the
annexation of the Kongo, and that pourparlers were being exchanged with
the Independent State for the purpose of establishing the basis of the
negotiations.
The prime minister, in connection with this statement, laid before the
House correspondence which had recently been exchanged between the
Belgian Cabinet and the secretary-general for foreign affairs of the
Independent State.
Copies of the correspondence (inclosures Nos. 1 and 3) are transmitted
herewith, together with translations thereof (inclosures Nos. 2 and
4).
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure
1.—Translation.]
The Minister of
Interior to the Secretary-General
for Foreign Affairs.
Monsieur le Chevalier: At the time of
assuming control of affairs the Government laid before Parliament a
declaration outlining its policy. We have now the honor to
communicate to you herewith the portion of that declaration which
relates to the Kongo.
As you may see, Monsieur le Chevalier, by perusal of this document,
it is the intention of the Cabinet to make it possible for the
Chambers to act upon the question of a colonial law and to determine
if the interest of the country will justify the annexation of the
Kongo at the present time.
The Government proposes, in this connection, to the government of the
Kongo immediately to initiate the negotiations with the object of
embodying their views in a convention to be submitted to the
Chambers.
This convention, following the lines of that which was concluded on
the 9th of January, 1895, will consummate the transfer and define
the measures necessary to carry the same into effect.
It appears opportune at this time to designate special delegates
selected by the two States to prepare the said convention.
It would accord with our views to have four plenipotentiaries
designated on each side to take charge of the work.
We therefore beg you to advise us if the views of the Independent
State agree with ours on this subject
Please accept, etc.,
Minister of Interior(Signed)
J. de
Trooz.
Minister of
Foreign Affairs,
(Signed)
Davignon.
Minister
of Justice,
(Signed)
Renkin.
[Page 809]
[Inclosure
2.—Translation.]
The Secretary-General for
Foreign Affairs to the Minister of
the Interior.
Monsieur le Ministre: By letter of the 29th
of June last, the Belgian Government has made known to the
government of the Kongo State its intention to enable the Chambers
to consider a colonial law and to determine whether the interest of
the country will justify the annexation of the Kongo at the present
time.
It proposed in that connection to the government of the Kongo
immediately to initiate negotiations with the object of embodying
their views in a convention to be submitted to the Chambers. This
convention, following the line of that which was concluded on the
9th of January, 1895, will consummate the transfer and define the
measures necessary to carry the same into effect.
The government of the Kongo has the honor to inform you, Monsieur le
Ministre, that it accepts this proposition and is ready, at such
time as will suit the convenience of the Belgian Government, to
negotiate the convention which shall embody the understanding
arrived at between the two States.
The Belgian Cabinet suggests that the two Governments should select
special delegates to be charged with the preparation of the said
convention, and that these delegates should be four in number for
each party; these views equally meet the approval of the Kongo
State.
Please accept, etc.,
(Signed)
Chevalier de
Cuvelier.
