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The Congo State

Sovereign-Lepold II., King of the Belgians.

This state, comprising 802,000 sq. m., with a population of about 8,000,000, is the result of the discoveries of Mr. H. M. Stanley, who followed the Congo river for the 3160 miles of its course from the Chibale hills in Central Africa to the ocean. Over 6000 m. of waterway have already been opened up by this river, and 14,000 more are expected to be opened to commerce when its tributaries are explored. The area drained by the Congo is about 1,090,000 sq. m. The following is Stanley's table of distances:- Banana (Congo mouth) to Vivi, navigable for ocean steamers Vivi to Isangila, by road past cataracts Isangila to Manyanga, navigable water Manyanga to Leopoldville, by road past cataracts.

Leopoldville to Stanley Falls, navigable MILES IIO 50 Above Stanley Falls to Nyangwe, navigable Nyangwe to Lake Moero...

Lake Moero to Bangweolo.

Lake Bangweolo MILES. 385 440 67 220 88 161 360 85 Total length of Congo highway, 3034 Bangweolo to Chambezi sources.

In 1885 the Congo Free State was constituted and defined by the general Act of the International Congo Conference of Berlin, and entered into treaties with all Great Powers, by which its status as a sovereign power was recognized. At the same time the boundaries of the new state were settled. There are four administrative provinces-the Lower Congo, the Pool, the Equatorial, and the Upper Congo, in which are various stations. The central government is at Brussels, and consists of the King of the Belgians as sovereign, and three department chiefs. On the Congo there is an Administrator-General, under whom are several European administrators of stations and districts. Revenue is principally derived from a subsidy granted by King Leopold out of his private fortune, and amounting to £40,000 annually. Expenditure is about £70,000. Exports are palm oil, caoutchouc, ivory, orchilla, copal, groundnuts, camwood, wax, etc. Gold, copper, and other metals have been discovered. Districts are suitable for growing sugar, cotton, coffee, etc. The difficulties in the way are, however, very great, and the future of the Congo Free State is by no means assured. Fourteen steamers now navigate the Lower and Upper Congo.