Germany and the Congo

From The Arthur Conan Doyle Encyclopedia

Germany and the Congo is a letter written by Arthur Conan Doyle published in the Daily Mail on 8 december 1909.


Germany and the Congo

Daily Mail (8 december 1909, p. 6)

To the Editor of The Daily Mail.

Sir, — In your note upon this subject you remark that "it is difficult to understand this sudden interest of Germany in the administration of the Congo."

The obvious reason is that there have been several books upon the subject, notably Dr. Doerpinghaus's account of his own experiences, which have circulated widely not only among the general public but among the ruling powers of Germany. They have a clearer view of the facts than they have ever had before, and being no less humanitarian than ourselves, they are taking the interest upon which you comment.

During all these years we have complained that we had no associate in our work of bringing pressure to bear to alter the conditions of the Congo. Now that the most effective of all associates shows some signs of concurrence it would indeed be unwise and unjust to meet her with distrust. We have often complained in the past that our own motives have been misunderstood. Let us rather meet Germany more than half-way, in the hope that co-operation in this good work may be a first step towards a general understanding.

Above all, let us not again be deceived by Belgian words, but let us take our stand upon the firm ground that the Treaty of 1883 has never been kept, and that no general professions of philanthropy (which are unaccompanied by any words of regret for the shameful past) will satisfy our just demand that treaty rights be observed.

Arthur Conan Doyle.
Windlesham, Crowborough.