§ 1. Mr. KINGasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the pledge of the International Association of 1133 the Congo, given to the United States in 1884, never to grant citizens of any one nation any advantages over citizens of other nations is still binding; and whether Belgium is bound by this pledge?
§ The MINISTER of BLOCKADE (Lord Robert Cecil)As I am not aware whether any communications have passed between the United States Government and the Belgian Government on the subject of the pledge given to the United States Government by the International Association of the Congo in 1884, I am not in a position to say whether it is still in force; but, speaking generally, the international obligations of the Association passed to the Congo Free State on its formation, and to Belgium on the annexation of the Congo Free State to that country.
§ 4. Mr. KINGasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Great Britain recognises that Belgium possesses sovereign rights over the land and resources of the Congo Free State?
§ Lord R. CECILYes, Sir.