THE BELGIAN STOPPAGE.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 89, 15 April 1913, Page 5

THE BELGIAN STOPPAGE.

OVER ELECTORAL LAW. A NON-STRIKER SHOT. <Bjr Cable.— Press Association.—Copyright* (Received 10.28 a.m.) BRUSSELS, April 14. The general strike over the refusal of the Government to amend the electoral law, making all votes of equal value, is now on, and. 400,000 operatives have ceased work. ~ Business is now in a chaotic condition, though the public services are working normally.. Fifty thousand troops are under arms. The telegraph wires have been cut in several, places. Work in the coal mines has almost completely stopped. A striker at Couvcelles shot a Catholic workman for refusing to strike. The Socialist leaders have resolved that no intoxicants shall be permitted, and that no meetings slinll be held. M. Van der Velde (the Socialist leader) has issued a manifesto, in which he predicts victory. He has arranged with a number of artists for musical matinees daily for the strikers' amusement. A large proportion of the workers seem to regret the necessity for striking. Tlie Weavers' Union at Verviers asked permission of the Employers' Federation to strike. The Federation replied that it was impossible to give this. M. Maurice Maeterlinck (the Belgian poet-dramatist) has written several letters criticising the Catholic party. He offers the strikers money. M. Anatoie France (the famous French author) also favours the strikers. Socialists in Westphalia urge the miners not to work overtime lest the coal be" sent to Belgium.