The Wichita Daily Eagle

FOR EXTERNAL COURT.
King Leopold's Explanation and Denial Are Not Satisfactory.
Boston, April 5.-Dr. Thomas S. Barbour made public tonight his comment upon the published reply of King Leopold to the charges made against his administration of the Congo Free State. Dr. Barbour is corresponding secretary of the American Baptist Missionary union and chairman of the conference of missionary societies by whom the charges against King Leopold were formally called to the attention of the United States government. He says:
We wish it were possible for us to regard this statement as proving that the frightful reports concerning conditions in the Congo Free State under the rule of King Leopold are without foundation. But we are unable, and we fancy that the American people will be unable to accept these denials as conclusive as against the stream of testimony which for years past come from residents in the Congo state, including travelers, missionaries and explorers, and from men for a time connected with the king's government. The charge made in the Belgian parliament is as severe as those made in the British house of commons. Unfortunately for the king, it is part of the accusation brought against him that the so-called investigation made by his government are a pretense, and that the natives of the interior are so terrorized that they dare not testify against their oppressors. The case is one demanding investigation by a court of inquiry external to the government.