Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1893-04-21
Bullets fly Freely.

who are using the demand for universal
sufferage as cloak for lawlessness.
Meetings in favor Of universal suffrage
are being held everywhere and great ex-
eitement prevails. 1mpasSionate appeals
are made to those who live BY toll to
leave their work and join the great demon
stration now in progress.
The event of the day here, at Mons,
Antwerp and other points, have been so
serious that the Government has issued
decree calling out all the militia for the
defence of the State. This means the
mobilization of some 10, 600 troops against
the working men.
The strikers at Mons this morning re-
sorted to the use of dynamite to enforce
their deman ds. 4 bomb, which had been
placed close to the Petit Washes chureh,
exploded with great violence, doing much
damage The act is generally ascrlbed to
the Socialists. This use OF dynamite
seems to have acted as an incentive to the
strikers 10 commit further outrages-
They filled the drinking places and IL
dulged in threats against the Government
and finally determined to take possession
of the town for a labor procession.
The civil guards were ordered out and
desnerate conflict followed. The guard
fred nDon the crowd, but this did not ef-
feet their dispursal. On the contrary it
only insuriated them and charge en-
masse was made upon the guard A des-
Derate hand to hand conflict ensued. 1t Is
known that four of the miners were killed
MANY of the rioters were wounded and a
number were taken to the hospitable. The
exact number of wounded will never be
known. as some of them were carried away
by their friends.
The killing of the four strikers added
greatly to the excitement IN the town, ana
there is danger of more serious outbrake.
Men and women from the adjacent mining
villages are focking into Mons, which Is
the center Of the great Borlnage coal
mining district. Three-forths of all the
miners in Belgium are employed IN tins
district. Fourteen soldiers were wounded
in the fight, three Of whom have since
died.
In the Charleroi district it is estimated
that 80 900 miners are employed. Work
in the mines may be said TO be at stand
still. for 90 900 of the miners have quit
work. Most of these miners are miserably
poor and they and their families are bound
to suffer in this fight for principle:
The cotton. yarn, lace and wool mills
and factories in Granmont, in East Flan-
ders. are affected BY the movement
large numner OF operatives in these indus
tries having joined in the strike move
ment
The eendarmes attempted to break up
meeting at Janmont, but not without
| stout resistance. Though the gendarmes
had the advantage of arms and discipline,
| the strikers struggled desperately and were
only dispersed aft9r long contest and two
| pendarmes and a large number of rioters
| were seriously wounded,
| The Governor of the province of Brabant
| in which this city is situated, has instruct
| ed all Mayors of cities and towns within
| his administrative district that they must
| prohibit all public demonstrations for uni
versal suffrage.
| PARIS, April 1.-THE progress of events
| in Belgium continues to be watched here
| with some anxiety. II is feared that if
matters assume a still more decidedly rev
olutionary aspect, Germany may intervene
and send an army of occupation into Bel
GUM, by way Of yerviers. This view,
however, is regarded as pessimistic.
BRUssELLs, April 19-The Belgian revo-
luton has succeeded. The reigning aris-
t0cracy has surrendered, and Belgium will
hereafter be governed by the people. The
victory for universal suffrage has cost sew
eral lives and serious bloodshed, but, con
sideriDg the terrible sacrifices, which, un-
| til the last moment, it seemed would be
necessary, the price paid Is rot great
one.
The right of self government has not
| been granted willingly. 1t was wrung
| from the present authorities by display
revolutionary force such as has not been
seen in Europe since Paris was in the
hands of Commune. The manifestation of
popular will was imposing and truly ter
rible. 1t oyerawed and conquered an ar
rogance which until today defed it.
1t has been day OF suspense and fear
| throughout Belgium. The entire country
! is under arms, and business Of every de-
scription is paralyzed. The terrible nature
of the crisis was emphasized as never be
fore when 10000 Socialists met Just out
side Of Brussels and voted solemnly and
without excitement to shed their last drop
Of blood to secure the rights OF suffrage.
The leaders advised the multitude To re-
frnin from violence till the decision OF Par
| liment was known.-Later III the day the
mob consented Their felloTs in other
places showed less self restraint. Soon
came the news that several more had been
killed and many wounded in Antwerp, and
that the bloody work was going on again
in Mons and other places.
BRUSSELS waited. There was an unmis-
taxable air of dread aud apprehension upon
the city. All the large places Of business
were closed and the shutters were up. The
residential streets were completely desert
ed and public quarters thronged But few
women were about. All vehicles, except
few cabs, disappeared, and the army and
mob stood and waited.
Cavalry and infantry held all the streets
within half mile of the Kings Palace
and Parliment buildings. The great ques
ton was whether the Army could be re-
lied on 10 oppose the people. The CIVIC
Guard, which is giIt-edged corps of we'll
. 10, an tn nbpy
any order 10 fire upon the rioters, as they
had already done at Mons and Antwerp.
II was more doubtful, however, il the reg
uar troops, recruited by compulson from
the masses. would turn the guns against
their fathers and brothers. 1t was observ
ed that scores Of the multitude itself were
men who had completed the required mill
tary service, but who now appeared Ia un-
dress uniform.
In the meantime the lower House of the
Legislature assembled. No plan of com
promise had been arranged. The Govern
ment in blind Obstinacy moved 10 take up
the bill Of railroad rates, affirming that it
would not consider the suffrage question
under threats of mob. They met OppOsi
ton not only from the Liberals, but form
the extreme moderateS who until now OPP
posed any plan Of universal suffrage. The
latter, amid great excitement, declared it
would be a national crime to postpone
action when the fate Of the country Itself
depended on the decision. Tho speakers
were taunted with cowardice.
Soon it became apparent that vast ma
iority Of the Chamber were at last con
yinced that the people were determined TO
overthrow the monarchy it5eli, If necessary,
to gain their purpose.
The House voted 10 sit until a commit
tee agreed on some suffrage measure. II
refused TO adopt the Government suggeB-
ton to act on the budget. which was wait
ing. The members. instead, went outside
to view the strange sights in the streets Of
the city, which was in state Of sfege.
Thor sands OF troops filled the streets,
converging at Parliament Hall Beyond
them the mob stood waiting II was near
ly 4 O'Clock, bat there had been no col
lision. The multitude was silent and not
even sullen There was, however no mis-.
taking the attitude of the unnumbered
thousands
The members Of the Chamber went back
to their seats profoundly impressed. Tele-
grams poured in telling Of renewed fight
ing in the provinces, and q mild but Salu-
taTy panic took possession OF the House
The committee was forced 10 report 1t
brought in n measure providing universal
suffrage to citizens above %, with an I'D
ditional vote for heads Of families and
another for those possessing educational
qualifications. 1t was briefly debated and
quickly brought To a vote.
The result was 10 in favor of and II