A serious debate on foreign policy was raised on Tuesday
by Mr. Jacob Bright. He objected to a design attributed to the Foreign Office of recognising Portugal as Sovereign on the Congo, the giant river which it is now known flows from Lake Tanganyika to the West Coast of Africa. We have explained the facts elsewhere. Mr. Jacob Bright proposed to forbid the Govern- ment to recognise any European Power upon the Congo. The Gov- ernment refused to accept this, but acceded to an amendment pro- posed by Mr. Wodehouse, which binds them to make no treaty in- consistent with existing engagements, and with the security of the civilising and commercial agencies at work on the Congo. Lord E. Fitzmanrice, moreover, promised that the treaty, if made, should protect commerce and the natives, and Mr. Glad- stone pledged himself that the previous concurrence of Parlia- ment should be obtained. The debate was remarkable for a kind of explosion of horror against Portugal from all sides. The cruelties tolerated by the Agents of that Power, and their con- tempt for treaties, whether of civilisation or commerce, are better known in the House than we had imagined. Even Lord E. Fitzmaurice justified some of the most serious charges, and we should not wonder if Sir R. B. Morier found his position very uncomfortable.
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