The Congo is rich in precious metal and fertile land, but its economy may be near ruin these days - too weak to absorb the bitterness and hate provoked by 150 mercenaries in rebellion. Since the mercenaries began their fight more than two months ago, there have been waves of reprisals by Congolese, mostly soldiers, against innocent and defenseless white civilians, the very civilians who keep the economy going. These civilians, almost all Belgians, are frightened and fed up. Many have sent their wives and children back to Belgium and are pondering whether to follow them out. If they do, they may leave economic chaos behind. The mines of Katanga offer a stark example of the problem. Generale Congolaise des Minerais, the Congolese government-controlled company that took over the copper mines of Katanga at the beginning of the year, employed 1,800 Belgian technicians and administrators before the troubles began...

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