Congo Free State
Joseph Conrad’s novel "Heart of Darkness", originally published in 1899 as a three-part series in "Blackwood's Magazine", inspired by his service as a captain on a steamer on the Congo 12 years before, sparked an organized international opposition to Leopold's exploitational activities. In 1900, Edmund Dene Morel, a part-time journalist and head of trade with Congo for the Liverpool shipping firm Elder Dempster, noticed that ships that brought vast loads of rubber from the Congo only ever returned there loaded with guns and ammunition for the "Force Publique". Morel became a journalist and then a publisher, attempting to discredit Leopold's regime. In 1902, Morel retired from his position at Elder Dempster to focus on campaigning. He founded his own magazine, "The West African Mail", and conducted speaking tours in Britain.
Heart of Darkness (horse)
Heart of Darkness was off the racecourse for over a year before returning for four races in the late autumn of 1991. He finished second in a minor event at Newwbury and then came home sixth in the Listed Main Reef Stakes at Newmarket Racecourse, fading in the closing stages after leading for most of the way. He went on to run second to Susurration in the Darley Stakes and ended his campaign by finishing runner-up to Mohican Girlwhen favourite for the James Seymour Stakes over ten furlongs at Newmarket on 1 November.