Action
Morel’s main task was to convince the world that the atrocities in the Congo were indisputable, and would continue if Europe did not intervene. He organized public meetings to publicize the abuses he had discovered in the Congo Free State. The meetings, though reaching a smaller audience than his writing, were one of his most effective methods of campaigning because they motivated and impassioned people.
“In their own most obvious interests, for the sake of humanity and right, in the name of enlightened statesmanship and political common sense, England, France and Germany cannot let the disease introduced in West and Central Africa by King Leopold of Belgium, be further extended. Nor do their responsibilities end there. The source of the disease must be dealt with. The canker must be rooted out and destroyed. The Congo State must be called to account for its crimes against civilisation, for its outrages upon humanity, for its violation of the Act to which it owes existence, for the unparalleled and irreparable mischief which it has committed” |
On June 9, 1904, a debate took place in the House of Commons, where Morel, at the invitation of Sir Charles Dilke came to speak. Speeches decrying the atrocities were delivered by Morel and government officials. During a trip to America, Morel also addressed the International Peace Congress in Boston on the subject of the Congo and met with President Roosevelt over the Congo matter. Morel used these appearances to gather support from influential figures and promote public awareness.
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In November 1906, Morel published the book, Red Rubber, which attained the widest attention of his books on the Congo Free State, described as, “One of the most passionate indictments of injustice and appeal for human liberty.”