To Lake Albert Edward 167 



excites his contempt or scorn. It is only the white man who has 

 never travelled alone with a large caravan, absolutely dependent 

 on his own force of will, that can fail to recognise this fact. 



Is an official to blame who, where driven to desperation by 

 the insubordination of the carriers, and fully familiar with the 

 punishment laws, breaks senseless injunctions in the full know- 

 ledge of the irregularity he is committing ? 



As the reader may already be aware, the entire Congo State 

 is divided into a number of districts, the largest of which are 

 subdivided into zones and secteursy the smaller into secteurs 

 only. They are governed by Belgian officers, or by officers of 

 other nations who have entered the Belgian service, and who are 

 employed in the civil administration. The military, again, are 

 subordinate to special officials. 



Of the many institutions in connection with the administra- 

 tion of the Etat Independant du Congo with which we became 

 acquainted, I will make brief mention of the system of taxation 

 only : 



The amount of the poll tax is determined by the Chef de 

 secteiir. The ordinary rate amounts to one franc in the month, 

 or twelve francs per annum. In cases of non-payment, which 

 constantly occur, a monthly labour liability of four days (forty 

 hours) comes into force. Every worker, however, is compensated 

 with twenty-five centimes. Payment is tendered in beads or 

 cloth. Coin is unknown. 



The black understands quite well how to clothe himself with 

 the stuffs received. The hands employed permanently at any 

 station go about chiefly in wide trunk-breeches made of very 

 elegant check stuff. A blue jacket is usually worn, and the 

 head gear consists of a thick, heavy straw hat with a very broad 

 brim and a high crown tapering off towards the top. 



The troops are recruited from all parts of the State, and 

 are stationed as far as possible from their homes. They consist 

 throughout of powerful men of a good appearance, the best 

 types coming from the Uelle territory. The men wear a service- 

 able uniform, consisting of a short blue, red-piped jacket and 



