* Article explains how King Leopold exploited the natives of the Congo Free State through his control of the land.
* In 1891 when wealth in ivory and rubber were discovered in vast regions, a secret decree was made that state had control of the ivory and rubber monopoly in "vacant lands." Vacant lands=lands belonging to the state (disregarded natives).
*Trade between the natives and private trading companies was ruined, this goes against Berlin Act.
* Ended up giving some power to private companies though natives were still restricted (couldn't leave certain territories).
* Leopold II created The Fondation (most valuable rubber region) where natives were treated with the most severity.
*Charges against the state were brought at the end of 19th century: humanitarian charges and exploitation of land.
*Series of "reforms" in June 1906-no real change.
*King Leopold wrote a letter where he described his plan to restrict Belgium's liberty of action in the Congo State when it became a Belgian colony. Native restrictions (enslavement), and state's land control would be law.
*Great Britain intervened first. Sir Edward Grey said, " it will be impossible for us to continue to recognize indefinitely the present state of things without a very close examination of our treaty rights and the treaty obligations of the Congo State."
*Reform associations for the Congo in America, France, and Belgium also started reforming public opinion.
*In July 1907, the Belgian premier announced that negotiations with the Congo State would be renewed. Grey intervened and said the Congo State had "morally forfeited every right to international recognition."
*Forced to surrender The Fondation ("government within a government") though Leopold still received 155 sq. mi. in Africa and other subsidies.
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