Lord Cranborne's reply was very weak ; but he did
not deny the allegations, though he asserted that many of the delin- quents had been punished by the Government of the Congo. He admitted, therefore, that a primit-facie case had been made out, but asked that the words in the Resolution which con- demned the Congo Free State should be omitted, and that the whole matter should be treated as one for inquiry. The remaining signatories must be consulted, for Great Britain could not act alone, and he seemed, indeed, in one part of his speech disposed to rely upon the beneficial effect of debate in stimulating opinion. As the monopolists care nothing about opinion, as the Congo Government will deny all the allega- tions, and as Continentals are seldom moved by the wrongs of black men, this is most unsatisfactory. Mr. Balfour certainly went a little further, and promised "action" of some diplomatic kind ; but the total result of the debate was dis- appointing. Even English statesmen seem to forget that if the black races am to be drilled into order by the "irresistible strength of civilisation," they become wards of the civilised Powers, and must be treated as minors under the protection of the great Court of Appeal.
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