“Modern international law follows closely a line which leads to the recognition of the right of native tribes to dispose freely of themselves and of their hereditary territory. In conformity with this principle, my Government would gladly adhere to a more extended rule, to be based on a principle which should aim at the voluntary consent of the natives whose country is taken possession of, in all cases where they had not provoked the aggression.” ColonialismAfricaBerlin ConferenceUnited States Colonialism Book:Acte général de la conférence de Berlin de 1885 Source: Acte général de la conférence de Berlin de 1885