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CONGO
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estimated area is probably above rather than below the proper figure. The vast bulk of the population belongs to the Bantu stock, but there are found, in the great forests along the river banks, sparsely distributed bands of the pigmy people, who probably represent the aboriginal inhabitants of Central Africa. In the north-eastern corner of the State, in the upper basin of the Welle and the Mbomu, the Azande, a race of warriors and hunters with a social, political, and military organization superior to that of the Bantu tribes of the Congo basin, had intruded from the north, and were forcing their way southwards towards the Congo when the agents of the State appeared in that region and arrested their farther progress. Traces of Arab blood are still found in the districts where the slave traders from the east coast had established stations. The European population at the end of 1886 numbered 254, of whom 46 were Belgians. In 1890 there were 744 Europeans, of whom 338 were Belgians; in 1895, 1076, of whom 691 were Belgians. In January 1900 the European population was as follows :—Belgians, 1187 ; Italians, 176 ; British, 99 ; Dutch, 95 ; Swedes, 81 ; Portuguese, 72 ; French, 53; Germans, 42 ; Danish, 39 ; Americans, 33 ; Norwegians, 25; Swiss, 13 ; Austrians, 7 ; Spaniards, 6 ; and other nationalities, 30,—a total of 1958. Stations.—There are no large towns in the European sense, but a number of stations have been established, some of which have acquired a certain importance and have become the centre of a comparatively large European population. Of these, Boma is the headquarters of the local administration, and the residence of a British vice-consul. It is situated on the right bank of the Lower Congo, about 60 miles from its mouth, is one of the principal ports of call for steamers, and the centre of a considerable trade. In 1899 the number of steamers entering the port of Boma was 84, of 164,035 tons, and the number of coasting vessels 196, of 6485 tons. Banana, close to the mouth of the Congo and Banana Point, possesses one of the best natural harbours on the west coast of Africa, and is capable of sheltering vessels of the largest tonnage. There are a number of European factories, some of them dating from very early days, and the place is still the centre of a considerable commerce. The French consulate is situated at Banana. In 1899 the number of seagoing vessels entering the port was 108, of 205,610 tons, and the number of coasting vessels 244, of 13,353 tons. Matadi is situated on the left bank of the Congo, at the highest point of the lower river which can be reached by seagoing vessels. It is the point of departure of the Congo Railway. The railway company has constructed two jetties at which steamers can discharge their cargo. Matadi is probably destined to eclipse both Boma and Banana as a port, but at present no statistics are available as to the number or tonnage of the vessels calling there. Lukunga, situated on the banks of the river of that name, a southern tributary of the Congo, about half-way between Matadi and Stanley Pool, was formerly the capital of the Falls district, and the chief recruiting station for porters on the Lower Congo. Tumba, the present capital of the district, is a station on the Congo Railway, the half-way house between Matadi and Stanley Pool, where the trains stop for the night. It is about 117 miles from Matadi and 143 from Ndolo, the terminus of the railway on Stanley Pool. Ndolo is situated a short distance from the Pool, and has two channels by which vessels can enter and leave the port. Extensive works have been undertaken, and it is intended to make Ndolo the headquarters of the steamers that ply on the inland waterways. Quays and a slip for launching vessels have been constructed. Leopoldville is the capital of the Stanley Pool district, and was one of the earliest stations founded by the Association. It is situated about 7 miles from Ndolo on the flanks of Mount Leopold, and it is considered probable that it may some day supplant Boma as the headquarters of the administration, when the increased importance of the middle and upper river regions makes it necessary to move the centre of administration from the lower river. Other places of importance are Luluaburg, on the Lulua river ; Lusambo, the capital of the Lualaba-Kasai district, on the Sankuru river; Coquilhatville, the capital of the Equatorial district, at the mouth of the Ruki; Stanley Falls, the principal station of the district of that name ; New Antwerp, a thriving little town, the capital of the Bangala district, situated on the right bank of the Congo close to the 19th parallel of east longitude ; Banzyvillc, the capital of the Mobangi district, on the river of that name ; Basoko, at the junction of the Aruwimi and the Congo ; and Nyangwe, which is beginning to recover some of the importance it possessed before it was destroyed in the Arab campaign of 1892-93. Djabir is the capital of the Welle district, and in the leased territories on the Upper Nile valley the principal places are Bejaf, Lado, Dufile, and Wadelai. Constitution.—The Free State is an absolute monarchy, but the Sovereign has never set foot in his African territory, which is administered from Brussels. There is no “constitution,” but King Leopold’s power is circumscribed in certain directions by the General Act of Berlin, to which the Free State adhered in 1885,
STATE
by which freedom of trade and free navigation of the Congo and its affluents are secured. Civil and criminal codes have been promulgated by decrees, and in both cases the laws of Belgium have been adopted as the basis of legislation, Adminand modified to suit the special requirements of the ,stratIonFree State. In addition to the decrees, which are signed by the Sovereign and countersigned by the Secretary of State, provision is made for the issue of Regulations and Ordinances by the GovernorGeneral. The Governor-General may, in case of urgency, issue an Ordinance suspending for a limited period a Decree issued by the Sovereign. Ordinances issued by the Governor-General remain in force for six months, at the termination of which period they expire, unless they have in the meantime been superseded by Decree. All Decrees are published in the Bulletin Offi.cAel, which is issued monthly at Brhssels. The Sovereign is assisted in the task of government by a Secretary of State, whose duty it is not only to countersign all Decrees, but to superintend their execution. There are three Departments of State, each presided over by a SecretaryGeneral in subordination to the Secretary of State. These departments are :—(1) Foreign Affairs, (2) Finance, (3) Interior. There is also a Treasurer-General, and a chief of the Cabinet of the Secretary of State. AH these officials have their headquarters at Brussels. The headquarters of the local administration are at Boma, on the lower river, the King being represented by a Governor-General, who is the head both of the naval and military authorities. He is assisted by a Deputy Governor-General, by a number of Inspectors, a Secretary-General, and several Directors. A Consultative Committee or Council of the heads of the various departments and higher officials advises the Governor-General on all matters which he may lay before it. There are seven departments of the Administration :—(1) Justice, (2) Transports, Marine and Public Works, (3) Superintendence of State Lands, (4) Agriculture and Industry, (5) Defence, (6) Force Publique, and (7) Finance. For administrative purposes the Free State is divided into 14 districts, each of which is governed by a Commissary, with a staff of Assistant Commissaries, Sub-Commissaries, and clerks. The districts are Banana, Boma, Matadi, Falls, Stanley Pool, Kwango Oriental, Mobangi, Stanley Falls, Lualaba-Kasai, Lake Leopold II., Equator, Aruwimi, Baugala, and Welle. In 1898 the territory in the valley of the Upper Nile leased from Great Britain was placed for administrative purposes under the same regime as the districts. Judicial Machinery.—Until May 1897 the Upper Congo was under military law, but from that date civil law has been administered throughout the State, wherever the authority of the State extended. Courts of First Instance have been instituted in the various districts, and there is a Court of Appeal at Bonia which revises the decisions of the inferior tribunals. There is a further appeal, in all cases where the sum in dispute exceeds a thousand pounds, to a Superior Council at Brussels composed of a number of jurisconsults, who sit as a Cour de Cassation. In consequence of repeated charges of the ill-treatment of natives being made against officers of the Administration, King Leopold instituted a Commission for the Protection of Natives, and nominated several missionaries of different denominations to serve on it. It is the duty of the Commission to report to the judicial authorities, or to the Governor-General, any cases of the ill-treatment of the natives which may come to the knowledge of its members. Religion and Instruction.—The native population are pagans, fetish worshippers, and on a very low plane of civilization. The State makes no provision for their religious teaching, but by the Berlin Act missionaries of all denominations are secured perfect freedom of action. The State has established three agricultural and technical colonies for lads up to the age of fourteen. Each of these colonies, which are situated at Boma, Leopoldville, and New Antwerp, makes provision for the training of five hundred boys, who are recruited from those rescued from slavery, from orphans, and from children abandoned or neglected by their parents. Practical instruction is given in various subjects, but the main object is to provide recruits for the armed force of the State, and only such lads as are unfitted to be soldiers are drafted into other occupations. A few native children are sent to Belgium to be educated. Missionaries have displayed great activity on the Congo, and are encouraged by the Administration. In 1900 there were 300 missionaries, of whom 180 were Roman Catholics and 120 Protestants, scattered among 76 mission stations. The missionaries do not confine themselves to religious instruction, but seek to raise the general level of the native population. In many districts cannibalism is rife, and degrading ceremonies are practised. There are two Roman Catholic bishops, one of whom resides at Leopoldville, the other at Baudouinville, and Roman Catholic churches for the European population are maintained at Boma and Matadi. Finance.—In the years that preceded the founding of the Congo Free State the funds for carrying on the work of the International Association of the Congo were provided by King Leopold out of
