An important correspondence relating to the proceedings now being taken
against the Rev. Edgar Stannard in the Congo State was published in Wednesday's papers. Reply- ing to a letter from Mr. Morel, the secretary of the Congo Reform Association, Sir Eric Barrington writes, on behalf of Sir E. Grey, to say that his Majesty's Government are alive to the danger that Mr. Stannard's case may be prejudiced by his inability to secure witnesses, but that they rely on the presence of the British Vice-Consul at Coquilhat- ville during the proceedings to minimise these drawbacks. They have telegraphed to Consul Nightingale inquiring what arrangements are being made to secure competent counsel to defend Mr. Stannard, and the letter concludes with the assur- ance that if Vice-Consul Armstrong's report shows that the pro- ceedings have been unfairly conducted, the Government will have to consider whether the time has come to establish a British Consular Court for the protection of other British subjects against whom similar charges may be brought under the new law respecting libel and slander. Mr. Morel, while gratefully acknowledging the prompt action taken by the Government, points out that as there is no Bar or independent practising counsel on the Congo, there is little or no chance of Mr. Stannard's defence being adequately carried out. Furthermore, he asserts that of the three supreme officials whose administration was condemned by the recent Commis- sion of Inquiry, two have returned to Belgium unmolested, while the third, who was convicted by the Report of failing to prevent the illegalities committed in his district, is now prosecuting for criminal libel a British subject who assisted the Commission in arriving at the truth.
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