The Crime of the Congo

By Arthur Conan Doyle

London: Hutchinson & Co., 1909.

Appendix

The Chicotte

Chicotting is alluded to in Congo annals as a minor punishment, freely inflicted upon women and children. It is really a terrible torture, which leaves the victim flayed and fainting. There is a science in the administration of it. Félicien Challaye tells of a Belgian officer who became communicative upon the subject. "One can hardly believe," said the brute, "how difficult it is to administer the chicotte properly. One should spread out the blows so that each shall give a fresh pang. Then we have a law which forbids us to give more than twenty-five blows in one day, and to stop when the blood flows. One should, therefore, give twenty-four of the blows vigorously, but without risking having to stop; then at the twenty-fifth, with a dexterous twist, one should make the blood spurt." ("Le Congo Français," Challaye.) The twenty-five lash law, like all other laws, has no relation at all to the proceedings in the Upper Congo.

Monsieur Stanislas Lefranc, Judge on the Congo, and one of the few men whose humanity seems to have survived such an experience, says:

"Every day, at six in the morning and two in the afternoon, at each State post can be seen, to-day, as five or even ten years ago, the savoury sight which I am going to try to depict, and to which new recruits are specially invited.

"The chief of the post points out the victims; they leave the ranks and come forward, for at the least attempt at flight they would be brutally seized by the soldiers, struck in the face by the representative of the Free State and the punishment would be doubled. Trembling and terrified, they stretch themselves face down before the captain and his colleagues; two of their companions, sometimes four, seize them by their hands and feet and take off their waistcloth. Then, armed with a lash of hippopotamus hide, similar to what we call a cow-hide, but more flexible, a black soldier, who is only required to be energetic and pitiless, flogs the victims. Every time the executioner draws away the chicotte a reddish streak appears upon the skin of the wretched victims who, although strongly built, gasp in terrible contortions.

"Often the blood trickles, more rarely fainting ensues. Regularly and without cessation the Chicotte winds round the flesh of these martyrs of the most relentless and loathsome tyrants who have ever disgraced humanity. At the first blows the unhappy victims utter terrible shrieks, which soon die down to low groans. In addition, when the officer who orders the punishment is in a bad humour, he kicks those who cry or struggle. Some (I have witnessed the thing), by a refinement of brutality, require that, at the moment when they get up gasping, the slaves should graciously give the military salute. This formality, not required by the regulations, is really a part of the design of the vile institution which aims at debasing the black in order to be able to use him and abuse him without fear." -- "Le Régime Congolais," Liége, Lefranc.

M. Renkin's Reforms

These have now been given to the world, but are such as to inspire no confidence. A close analysis of the proposals coupled with the Budget shows too clearly their illusory character. Free trade is delayed in large portions of the country for two or three years, which means ever-increasing pressure upon the natives during that time. The fruits of the soil are supposed to pass in time to the natives, but there is no provision separating the land from the State, so that in gathering these fruits the native would always be in the position of a trespasser. The army, the great instrument of oppression, is not decreased, but increased. Its pay is still left at one sixth of the amount given by other tropical Colonies, which indicates that they are to recoup themselves in other ways. No provision is made in the Budget for their feeding or for that of their numerous dependents, so that they will still be like a swarm of locusts on the land. The Concessionnaire Companies, with their history of blood and greed, are left undisturbed. Altogether the scheme of Reform is one which Europe cannot possibly accept, if they desire that the question should once for all be settled in a way which is just to themselves and just to the natives.

How you can help the Cause

1. Pass this copy on and buy others. All profits are devoted to foreign translations.

2. Join the Congo Reform Association, Granville House, Arundel Street, W.C.

3. Organise or attend public meetings to ventilate the question.

4. Write expressing your feelings to your political representative.