The sun., 1893-04-19
AWED BY THE PEOPLE
The lawmakers Dare Not Oppose
The Voice Of the Country.
STRIKES WILL NOW CEASE,
Rut the Torch of Revolution was
All Ready to Flame.

rne Bn Passes ny = Vote or 11s 70 IT.
Great Crowds Outside the Military Lines
Make the welkIn Ring with Triumphant
Acclaim Twenty Thousand Socialists
o,,,,de tho CITY Limits, Sworn TO Have
IN. Suffrage or Die. Were Calmly Await.
,.s the vote--The Government Began the
Day ny Asserting TINT They Would Not
He Driven by Threats-rhey Changed
Their Mind. When They Saw tho Deter
r,ned Crowds and Heard tho News OF
Yuht,nr Through tho Land-The Social
,.t. Have Not Got All They Want, but
VIII AGita,e Peacefully for More-Seri.
on. Riots before the Victory was Known.
BnussEIs. April 1a.-The Belgian revolu-
t,on has succeeded. The reigning aristoc-
racy has surrendered. and Belgium will
hercaf,er be governed by the people. Tho
victory for universal suffrage has cost sew
oral lives and serious bloodshed: but. con-
sldcrng tho terrible sacrifices which until
tho last moment II seemed would he
necessary. the price paid is not a great one.
The right OF self government has not been
granted willingly. 1t was wrung from the
present authorities to-day by n display Of
revolutionary force such rs has not been seen
In Europe since raris was in tho hands Of
committee.
Tho manifestation Of popular will was I'M
posing and truly terrible. 1t overawed and
conquered the arrogance which. until to-day.
ds6ed II. 1t has been o day Of suspense and
fear throughout belgium. The entire coun-
try Is under arms aud business OF every de-
scriptlon is paralyzed. The terrible nature o;
the crisis was emphasized as never before
when 10000 Socialists met just outside Brus-
ssls and voted solemnly and without excite
mat to shed the last drop Of their blood to So
euro tho right OF suffrage. The leaders ad-
vissd tho multitude to refrain from violence
an the decision Of Parliament was known
Asssh the day. The mob consented.
rHslt BELLOWS in other places exercised less
sSllrestraint. Soon came the news that sew
sfal more had been killed and many wounded
In Aatw.rn The bloody work was going on
again 10 Mons and other places Brussels
waited. There was unmlstakably an cir OF
dread and apprehension upon the city. All
the large places OF business were closed and
the shutters were up. Tho residential streets
were completely deserted. Tho public quar-
ten were throneed. but few women were
about All vehicles. except q few cnbs. disap-
pearsd. The army and the mob stood and
waited. Cavalry and infantry held all the
streets within half n mile OF the Kings palace
and the Parliament buildings. There wero no
hostile demonstrations against tho troops.
The great question was whether the army
could DO relied on to oppose the people. The
civic guard which is a Cilt.edGed corps OF
We!.to-do young men. wero pretty sure 10
obey any order to FIRE upon the rioters. as they
had already done at Mons and Antwerp. 1t
was more than doubtful. however. II the reeu-
hrtroops. recruited by compulsion from the
masses would turn their guns against their
fathers and brothers 1t was observed that
scores OF the multitude itself were mon who
mad completed the required military service.
put who now appeared in undress uniform.
Meantime the lower House OF tho leglsla-
'ure assembled No plan OF compromise had
been arranged. The Government In blind OBJ
sinacy moved to take up the bill on railroad
rates. Affirming that 1t would not consider the
suffrage question under the threats OF the
mob They met opposition not only from tho
Liberals but from the extreme Moderatss,
Whounhl now have opposed any plan OF uni
Versal suffrage. The latter, amid great OK.
element declared that it would be a national
crime TO postpone action when the fate NJ ,bs
country Itself depended on the dec,s,o,
Inc speakers were taunted with cowarcice,
IL soon became apparent that the vast m..
Iority OF the Chamber were at last co,
vinced that the people were determined n
overthrow the monarchy itself. IL peccss.rv
to gain their purpose.
The House voted to sit until the commi,tss
agreed on some suffrage measure. II "a
fused to adopt the Government supaestio,
to act on tho budget. which was wait,n,
Tho members instead went outside to vl.w
the strange sight In the streets OF the city.
which wac In o state Of siege.
Thousands Of troops filled the streets con.
NsrGnC at Parliament Hall. Beyond them
The mob stood waiting. II was nearly
o'clock. but there had been no collision
The multitude was silent. and not even
sulen. There was. however. no mistakina
the attitude OF their unnum bored thousands.
Members Of the Chamber won. back to thei,
seats profoundly impressed. Telecrams
poured In telling OF renewed lighting In the
"0S'nees A mild but salutary panic took
possession Of the House.
.he COMMITTEES were forced to report. They
''oush' in measure providing for universal
sa'ace for citizens above 25 years Of age.
"n An additional vote for heads of families,
.aa smother for those possessing educational
nea''ons It was briefly debated and
'.' brought to vote. The result was l1o
"'0f Il against and II abstsntions The