THE BELGIAN TROUBLE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2509, 16 April 1902, Page 15

THE BELGIAN TROUBLE.

A GENERAL MINERS' STRIKE ORDERED. BRUSSELS, April 8. An infernal machine was exploded, and injured the Sanque Natiouale in this city. There is no clue to the, perpetrator of the outrage. 1 April 9. Three workmen have been arrested at Antwerp for stealing .300 stones of great value from a diamond workshop at Amsterdam. April 10 The Spanish Republican deputies have been expelled from Belgium, where they have been conducting an agitation in favour of suffrage. The Socialists, in tendering them a farewell at Brussels, insulted King Leopold. As he was riding through the street in an automobile the Socialists waved a red flag, shouting "Vive republic," "Vive universal suffrage ! " There have been serious Socialist demonstrations against Roman Catholic deputies in the chief towns. Conflicts have occurred with the police, who used their sabres and revolvers. Numbers were injured, and numerous arrests made. The window of a Jesuit church and seminary at Liege were smashed. Many regimentsal reserves were summoned in various districts in readiness for any outbreak. April 11. Further Socialist riots are reported. Many were wounded and arrested in Brussels. Dynamite outrages were perpetrated in the Mons, Liege, and Charlc-roi districts. The Artillery, Cha-seurs, and Cnic Guard have been summoned. The Socialists threaten to bring 20,000 armed miners to Bru=sels. Ball cartridge has been served to the troops. April 12. Violent scenes, almost reaching blows, occurred in the Chamber of Deputies the Socialists believing the Government are seeking seven months' supplies in order to prorogue immediately, thus evading Tuesday's promised debate on universal suffrage. Fifteen thousand strikers are supporting the Socialists. Further riots have occurred, attended by fatal results. Apnl 13. Four thousand strikers near Charleroi awaited the train bringing in the Flemish from the mine«. The mounted troops cleared the street, and occupied the station in order to protect the Flemish. A riot followed. Volleys were exchanged between the troops and the strikers. A girl was killed, and many others were wounded. A general miners' strike in the Charleroi district has been ordered, to commence on Monday. The gendarmes frequently charged the mob in the Brussels streets on Saturday, Using their sword i and bayonets. Several were killed. April 14. The situation m Belgium is very serious, though the Government are confident they are able to quell the <h--turbanec s. After the open runture in the Chamber of Deputies between the Clerical and Socialist members, the Government arrested Vandenvelde, the chief Socialist leader. Though he was subsequently released, his followers were incensed. The street fighting in Brussels in the j evening was severe, the mobs using revolver-:, iron bolts, and gla.^ bombs filled with corrosives. The gendarmes u«ed their swords and rifles. One hundred were wounded and at least three killed. There was a ghastly s-truggle for the body of a fatally wounded man who«e clothes were stripped ofF before the gendarmes were successful in their efforts to secure the latter. The rioters made determined but fruitless efforts to -secure the corp»es> of two rioters from St. Pierre Hospital.

The object wa« to exhibit them and inflame the populace. The troops threaten to fire on anyone opening window*. Women were wounded in the disturbance. Rioting aKo occurred at Liege and Lalonvier>. Twenty thousand Socialists and 3000 LiOera! 1 - quietly demonstrated at Charleroi on Sunday m favour of universal -ufirage. King Leopold is at O-tend. Socialist leaders have published a violent appeal to the people to take universal suffrage by storm if Parliampnt denies it.