Humanitarian intervention into Congo Free State ?

[Melvin Loh]

In addition to the public outcry against Leopold II after his massive systematic abuses in the Congo became publicised by the reports of ppl such as George Washington Williams or Roger Casement, is there any way that other European powers or their client colonial indigenous states could've mounted a humanitarian intervention into the Congo Free State at any time between 1885-1908, in response to the atrocities committed by Leopold II's FORCE PUBLIQUE & African slavers ?

 

[Paladin]

If I recall correctly, the Brits considered it, but found it more effective to work through the Belgian government, to whom Leopold was (theoretically) held responsible.

 

[carlton_bach]

I suspect the crisis potential was just too great. IIRF the French government had a preemption agreement on the Congo, so if Leopold had been forced to relinquish it, Paris could have invoked that and Britain had no interest in a French Congo. I canm't see France giving up on that option so easily, at least at an earlier point in time. Also, what would the impact on relations with Belgium be? Technically, the Congo Free State may have been unaffiliated, but the head of state there also happened to be king of a country that all major European powers had signed treaties guaranteeing. Would Belgium stay on friendly terms with the intervener? That place has long been good for providing the odd casus belli.