The story of the Congo Free State : $b Social, political, and economic aspects of the Belgian system of government in Central AfricaWack, Henry Wellington
History
The story of the Congo Free State : $b Social, political, and economic aspects of the Belgian system of government in Central Africa
Wack, Henry Wellington
Belgium -- Colonies -- Africa -- Administration; Congo (Democratic Republic) -- History -- To 1908
Mr. Benedetti returned to Europe on November 7, 1904, and when
requested to give his chiefs some information on the existing
situation in the Congo, related circumstances which might well be
considered fit for a novel, if their accuracy were not vouched for by
authentic documents.
While at Boma, Mr. Benedetti noticed that a Negro named Shanu, a
British subject from Lagos, was trying to discover his opinions
on Congo policy and administration. Shanu having been at one time
in the employ of the State, Mr. Benedetti suspected nothing; but
in the course of conversation with the Negro, he perceived what
Shanu wanted to get from him. Shanu boasted to Mr. Benedetti of the
humanitarian character of the English campaign against the Congo, and
he further hinted that, if he were correctly informed, Mr. Benedetti
would surely join in the said campaign, a course which would be of
great advantage to him. Mr. Benedetti pretended to share the views
of Shanu, who thereupon pushed the matter home by producing some
letters of Mr. Edmund Deville Morel, Secretary of the Congo Reform
Association.
In one of these letters, Mr. Morel informs Shanu that Mr. Benedetti,
commissary at Boma, has been spoken of to him as one who would be
a valuable acquisition in the English campaign against the Congo.
Mr. Benedetti at once saw what was expected of him; he realised
that efforts were being made to enlist in the anti-Congo campaign
the numerous Italians in the service of the Free State; and, with
the sole desire of protecting the honour of his fellow-countrymen
in the Congo, he resolved to defeat Mr. Morel’s plans. With a view
of gaining Shanu’s confidence, he declared himself to be on the
Negro’s side, and by so doing compromised himself in the eyes of his
official colleagues. He told Shanu—who lost no time in informing
Mr. Morel—that by virtue of his position, he was able to make some
startling revelations. Shanu thereupon suggested that he should
send in his resignation, giving as the reason certain compromising
allegations against the Free State. Shanu then wrote to Mr. Morel to
the effect that he and Mr. Benedetti agreed that the latter was just
the man to lead the campaign against the Congo. On the receipt of Mr.
Morel’s reply, the departure of Mr. Benedetti was decided upon.
Mr. Benedetti was promised his passage money to Europe, as well as
compensation for the loss of his place under the Free State, and,
later, a handsome bonus. Mr. Morel requested Mr. Benedetti to meet
him at the Exchange Station Hotel, Liverpool, on the 19th November,
and to announce his arrival by the following telegram:
“Morel care Jellani arrived Benedetti.”
Under these circumstances, Mr. Benedetti sent in his resignation,
alleging that private business called him to Europe. He left by the
SS. _Philippeville_, and the British Consul at Boma gave him ten
pounds sterling for his travelling expenses. The receipt for this sum
was made out by Mr. Benedetti in the name of Shanu.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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