THE FOUNDING OF THE CONGO INDEPENDENT STATE 43 
In several of the most promising of these Leopold was 
careful to retain a large share of the capital stock. The 
trade of the region increased rapidly until the total imports 
and exports reached $8,000,000 in 1897, and the considerable 
total of $17,000,000 in 1907; while large fortunes were made 
by King Leopold and the other stockholders.! 
The rule of the subordinate officials, particularly upon 
the lands of the companies, was often harsh and violent. 
As the pressure on them for larger commercial returns 
increased, the more heavily they bore down on the natives. 
Cruel and inhuman punishments were resorted to, and vil- 
lages burned, in order to compel the negroes to work and to 
search for rubber and ivory. The seat of government at 
Boma was hundreds of miles from many of the stations; and 
the Administrator-General knew very little ofttimes of 
what was going on in the interior. No ruler was ever better 
or more faithfully served than King Leopold, in the opening 
and exploration of the country; and, after the government 
was organized, many of the officials on the state lands were 
honest and consistent in the management of their districts, 
and considerate and skillful in their treatment of the 
natives whose confidence and respect they won and enjoyed 
until the very end of their service.2 But the system of ad- 
1 Sir Harry Johnston has estimated, after a careful perusal of all the 
figures obtainable and allowing Leopold a liberal sum in profits, together 
with all the money advanced to the Congo Association and his salary as 
president, that he took out of the country at least $20,000.000. George 
Grenfell and the Congo, vol. 1, pp. 451-52 (note). 
® “The agents, though able, willing, and intelligent men, are under- 
manned and overworked,” wrote Vice-Consul Michell in 1906. “No dis- 
crimination is shown in their distribution. Civilians or soldiers are set in a 
post to do all the various work of the place — house-building, road-making, 
rubber-collecting, transport, food supply, planting, police, judicial, ad- 
ministrative and other miscellaneous occupations in which he has no train- 
ing or experience, and for which he receives neither extra pay nor promotion. 
He is allowed so little money, or rather barter goods, for payment of labour- 
ers and purchase of materials, that it is only with much personal exertion