King Leopold's Soliloquy
Mark Twain
5 chapters
49 minute read
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5 chapters
King Leopold’s Soliloquy
King Leopold’s Soliloquy
[ Throws down pamphlets which he has been reading. Excitedly combs his flowing spread of whiskers with his fingers; pounds the table with his fists; lets off brisk volleys of unsanctified language at brief intervals, repentantly drooping his head, between volleys, and kissing the Louis XI crucifix hanging from his neck, accompanying the kisses with mumbled apologies; presently rises, flushed and perspiring, and walks the floor, gesticulating ] —— ——!! —— ——!! If I had them by the throat! [ Hasti
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SUPPLEMENTARY
SUPPLEMENTARY
Since the first edition of this pamphlet was issued, the Congo story has entered upon a new chapter. The king’s Commission concedes the correctness of the delineation contained in the foregoing pages. It affirms the prevalence of frightful abuses under the king’s rule. For eight months the king held back the Report but his commissioners had been too deeply moved by the horrors unfolded before them in their visit to the Congo State and the testimony presented to them had reached the world through
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SOME THINGS THE REPORT OF THE KING’S COMMISSION SAYS.
SOME THINGS THE REPORT OF THE KING’S COMMISSION SAYS.
“Apart from the rough plantations which barely suffice to feed the natives themselves and to supply the stations, all the fruits of the soil are considered as the property of the State or of the concessionaire societies.... It has even been admitted that on the land occupied by them the natives cannot dispose of the produce of the soil except to the extent in which they did so before the constitution of the State.” “Each official in charge of a Station, or agent in charge of a factory, claimed f
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THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT AND THE CONGO STATE.
THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT AND THE CONGO STATE.
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 partici
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OUGHT KING LEOPOLD TO BE HANGED?[4]
OUGHT KING LEOPOLD TO BE HANGED?[4]
For the somewhat startling suggestion in the heading of this interview, the missionary interviewed is in no way responsible. The credit of it, or, if you like, the discredit, belongs entirely to the editor of the Review , who, without dogmatism, wishes to pose the question as a matter for serious discussion. Since Charles I’s head was cut off, opposite Whitehall, nearly two hundred and fifty years ago, the sanctity which doth hedge about a king has been held in slight and scant regard by the Pur
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