The controversy between M. Benedetti, the Sicilian chief of the
Congo State Police, and Mr. Morel, editor of the West African Mail, calla for a few words of comment. It appears that Mr. Morel was given to understand that M. Benedetti was prepared to furnish information in support of charges against the Free State authorities, and that be came to England on certain terms as to the payment of his passage and other remuneration, showed Mr. Morel and Mr. Holt, of Liverpool, certain documents bearing out these charges, and signed an agreement undertaking to prepare a pamphlet exposing the alleged atrocities of the Congo officials. So far there is no conflict of evidence as to what took place. M. Benedetti then went to Brussels, returned the money paid for his passage, informing Mr. Morel that he had been duped, and an article appeared in the Inclopendance Beige accusing Mr. Morel of attempting to suborn evidence, and of employing spies in the Congo State to betray the confidence reposed in them by the State. M. Benedetti asserts that he was actuated solely by the purest patriotism, that he determined to trick and expose Mr. Morel in order to discredit the agitation against the Free State, and that the documents exhibited were of no importance and the atrocities purely imaginary. As to the value of these documents, which Mr. Morel returned to M. Benedetti, we cannot pronounce any opinion, but we see no reason whatsoever to discredit the perfect bona fides of Mr. Morel in the entire transaction. The incident leaves the case against the Congo State exactly where it was, and casts no discredit whatever on the plucky and disinterested fight which Mr. Morel is making.
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