THE FOUNDING OF THE CONGO INDEPENDENT STATE 35 
economic motives have prevented the approval of measures 
for the prevention of the introduction of spirits [and he 
should have added firearms), a step has been taken in that 
direction by the expression of a general wish in favor of the 
control of the traffic.” 
In order to prevent conflicts between European states 
and to provide for the proper and regular extension of 
colonial possessions in Africa, it was agreed that the mark- 
ing-out of all new protectorates must be preceded by due 
notification to the powers; that to retain titles to lands 
the occupation must be effective; and that recourse would 
be had to arbitration in case of differences. This was all 
excellent, and as desirable as the regulations on freedom of 
trade; but nowhere do we find any attempt to provide in a 
systematic and effectual manner for the vital interests of the 
natives. The statement that such things ought to be done 
for them was not sufficient. Some machinery ought to have 
been devised whereby the wishes of the powers could have 
been carried out. The natives should not only have been 
securely protected against themselves and the slave-hunters. 
but also shielded from the sale of firearms, the evils of the 
rum traffic, and other dangers attendant upon the coming of 
European civilization to Central Africa. It was evidently 
and confidently expected that all these matters would be 
carefully and promptly regulated by all the states individ- 
ually, including the Congo Independent State. This was a 
grave blunder, as it left the natives completely at the mercy 
of individual governments and irresponsible trading com- 
panies to whom they might let out the country in conces- 
sions. It provided no check against the aggression of states 
like Germany and Holland, when forced into unfortunate 
and harmful colonial enterprises by the rapacity of their 
great commercial organizations. 
! The influence of the German trading companies prevented the abolition