I'ggS. has te e n Said by the Italian representative with, regard to His
Feb.-$6. ]y[aj esty the Emperor.
Berlin1. P r i n c e B i s m a r 'c k thànks Count de T.annay for his appreciative
remarks. He ' expresses a wish th a t the Plenipotentiaries and
himself will in the conrse of their political life have frequent
opportunities of meeting in th a t unanimously friendly spirit which
has distinguished the Berlin Conference. His Serene Highness
bears witness to the satisfaction he has experienced at the excellent
relations to which the Conference has given rise.
The president consults thé high assembly as to whether it will
be Convenient before proceeding to the signature of the general
act to have the document read. The general act already adopted
in its entirety bÿ th é 'Conference has been printed and distributed
to th e Plenipotentiaries for their mature consideration. The
TnVTi assembly may perhaps under the circumstances think it well
to omit the formality of the customary reading. Should th a t be
th e general; feeling, it will be in accord with the opinion of the
president.
S a id P a sh a c o n s id e r s t h é r e a d i n g s u p e r f lu o u s .
The high assembly unanimously agrees to the suggestion
offered by Prince Bismarck.
The president formally announces th a t the high assembly having
given the general act its definitive sanction, without wishing to
hear i t read over for the last time, it will perhaps immediately
pass to the signature of the documents.
However, before inviting the Plenipotentiaries to proceed to
this formality, Prince Bismarck, in order to simplify the order of
business, desires to bring before the Conference a communication
which ought strictly to follow the signing of the treaty, and
which is to this effect :—
“ E eferring to Article XXXVII. of the Act just accepted by you
I have the honour to make a communication to you which has ju s t
reached me. This is the adoption by'the International Association
of th e Congo of the resolutions of the Conference. I will take
th e liberty of reading this document, as well as a le tter from
Colonel Strauch, the President of the Association.”
The President reads these documents, which are as follows :—
1. Act of Adhesion of the International Association of the Congo
to the General Act of the Berlin Conference, of date the 26th of
February,11885.
I * The International Association of the Congo, in virtue of Article
XXXVII. of the General Act of the Berlin Conference declares by
these presents th a t it adheres to the provisions of the said General
Act.
“ In witness whereof the President of the International Association
of the Congo has signed the present declaration and thereto
affixed his seal.
“ Done a t Berlin the twenty-sixth day of the month of February,
one thousand eight hundred and eighty-five.
C olonel S tr a u c h .” ( L . S . )
2. Letter from Colonel Strauch to his Serene Highness Prince
Bismarck :—-
“ Prince,—In virtue of the powers given to me by His Majesty
the King of the Belgians, acting as founder of the International
Association of the Congo, powers sent herewith, and in conformity
with Article XXXVII. of the General Act of the Berlin Conference,
I have the honour to forward to the Government of the German
Empire the Act by which the International Association of the
Congo adheres to the said General Act.
“ I tru st th a t your Serene Highness will in accordance w ith the
stipulation which forms paragraph two of the same Article notify
this adhesion to the States th a t have signed the General Act or
who will adhere to it.
The International Association of the Congo will regard the
favourable consideration given to its' request as another proof of
the friendliness of the Powers towards a work destined by its
origin,, its conditions of existence, and its object to aid in the
accomplishment of the generous ideas of the Conference.
“ I am, with profound respect,
“ Y our Serene Highness’s most humble and
most obedient servant,
“ C olonel S tr a u c h .
“ The President of the International Association of the Congo.”
“ B e r l in , 2 6 th February, 1885.”
3. Powers conferred on Colonel Strauch.
“ We, Léopold II., King of the Belgians, acting as Founder of
the International Association of the Congo, give by these presents
full powers to M. Strauch, President- of th a t Association, to sign
the Act of accession to the general treaty adopted by the Berlin
Conference.
“ L éopold. (X . S .)
" “ B russe ls , l oth February, 1885.”