In the Belgian Chamber on Tuesday the Government was interpellated
on a speech in which on June 12th at Antwerp King Leopold recommended the granting of lands in the Congo to Belgian companies carrying on operations in China. According to the Times report, M. Furnemont declared that the King was interested, together with Mr. Pierpont Morgan, in very profitable business undertakings in China. M. Schollaert, the Prime Minister, said that the Government accepted responsibility for the King's speech. The King had only spoken of possibilities. M. Vandervelde, the Socialist Deputy, said that the King's speech had produced an unfortunate impression even in Germany, where the relations of Belgium with the Congo had long been defended. On the same day the Belgian Government published a Grey- book on the Congo, in which there is little new except a Note from America on January 12th and the Belgian answer of June 12th. The Belgian Government argues that in the American Note the political territory of tribes is con- fused with land held as communal property. It is further argued that not all the international obligations of Belgium can survive the annexation. An interview between the Belgian Minister in London and Sir Edward Grey is also recorded. Sir Edward Grey pointed out that the Congo Reform Association, of which the Minister complained, is an independent body, but he added that it expressed a deep feeling which existed in England, and which would not cease till the Congo administration was changed.
