Providence are, indeed, inscrutable. De Brazza died on his way home. M. Felicien Challaye, who was with him to the end, describes the last days of this distinguished man in terms of poignant emotion:
The fate of the Congo troubles him more than his own. When he has the strength to talk it is of the Congo that he speaks. … He was bowed down by an immense sorrow. M. de Brazza passionately loved the Congo, which he had explored and acquired for France, then governed and organised. He suffered to find it in a truly lamentable condition… From these sinister discoveries M. De Brazza suffered in the deepest recesses of his soul. They hastened his end.
••••••
The members of De Brazza's staff returned with all the necessary documents to elaborate a report. They wore forbidden to do so. A bitter personal campaign was at once started against them in the French Colonial Press, wholly subject to the Concessionaire Boards. They were instructed to hand over their documents to a Committee appointed by the Colonial Minister. The Committee as appointed was not free from bias in favour of the "System" which De Brazza condemned. But the evidence was so overwhelming that it could not but substantiate his findings. The Ministry suppressed the Committee's Report on two grounds. First, that its effect internationally would be prejudicial to France—a further tribute to the anarchy of international relationships. Secondly, that its publication would lead to actions at law by the Concessionaire companies which had threatened to take proceedings against the Government. This admission momentarily staggered the French Chamber before which it was made by the Colonial Minister. "But that is blackmail." remarked one Deputy. " And you have capitulated at its threat!" shouted another.
The three days' Debate (February 19–21, 1906) in the Chamber to which the suppression of the evidence, collected by De Brazza and his staff and the suppression of the Committee's report gave rise, was notable for further appalling revelations, greeted with cries of "monstrous," "scandalous," "unbelievable," from all over the Chamber. The most perfunctory accounts were given of those debates in the British Press. Indeed, acting no doubt under direct official inspiration from Downing Street, the tragedy of the French Congo has,
