Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1893-04-16
FROM OVER THE SEA
Socialist May Day Oemonstra-
tons Feared by Europe.
PREPARING FOR THE WORST


lDStoS, Apxu io-aQNiSce ttotu Apct-
lin. Brussels. Vienna and other Euro
pean capitals state that the authorities
are looking forward 10 the socialist de
monstrstions of May day with even
greater anxiety than last year. Espe-
ciAlly is this the case in Brussels where
the exciting events of the past few days
are believed 10 be- the forerunners OF
more desperate struggle In come. The
Belgian government has already taken
steps 60 havc a large military force in
readiness for march on the capital,
should disorder reach point at which
the police and the guard would be IN
capable Il dealing with il. The guards
civique number over 10000 men and is
recruited generally from the middle
classes In the districts. however, where
manufacturing and mining are almost
the only industries. the guards civique
is largely composed of the working class
80 and it's members might he found
fighting on the side of the populsce in
stead Of enforcing order.
Averse To Violence.
King Leopold il strongely averse TO
violence AZ long as il can be Syerted.
and would not consent To any extreme
use OF the military unless il should ap-
pear % be absolutely necessary. He is
said to be arriving at that conviction.
for evidence has been presented to him
going 10 prove that there is something
deeper in the socialistic agitation than
to achieve universal suffrage. 1t is re
ported that the Belgian authorities have
information showing that conspiracy
exists for the overthrow Of the monarchy
and the establ ent of a republic, and
that the conspiFatOes cpunt upon French
sympathy. il not upon French support.
Leopold in naturally man Of mild and
liberal temper. but he Ii . man Of great
determination in crisis. and should he
be convinced that there are designs
against his dynasty he will approve OF
the severest measures for their suppress
sion.
Prohibit May Day Celebrations
The Berlin authorities will probably
refuse to permit any socialist demonstra-
tion on May day. or only under such
rigorous limitations - to prevent the
possibility of an outbreak. The Prus-
sian government fears that any exten-
sive demonstration might be seized upon
by the anti semitic agitators To raise .
riot against the Jews which, in the pres
ent temper Il the working classes would
not Be difficult
In Vienna Il 10 stated Q May day
demonstration VIII BE- altogcther pro
hibited and the prohibition enforced by
the police with the aid. il necessary. of
the military. Austrian manufacturers
have been requested in behalf Of the
government not To grant any exemption
from labor TO their operatives on ac-
count Of May day. and preparations are
being made to put down with rigor any
movement of disorderly character.
In Paris the authorities view the eitua-
tion with calmness and seem 10 have
much less apprehension as to the future
than is exhibited in other European cen
ters. The authorities believe that the
lessons already given will have deter
rent effect upon the anarchists. and are
satisfied that the worst II the socialistic
order have departed from France.
England's Worlds Fair Exhibit.
British merchants and manufacturers
are looking forward with increasing in
terest In the opening Of the Chicago
fair. IL may safely be asserted that not
withstanding the lukewarmnees oi
some British manufacturers. English
contributions at Chicago will be up r.
the ancient standard. which has always
been 10 hold first place among foreign
exhibitors. Leaving out of The question
the British colonies. Great Britain has
secured about IA much space az either
France or Germany. Chemical prod
ucts. soaps. perfumery. etc. will be fully
represented but this cannot be said oI
machinery. hardware and cutlery and
I guns and ammunition.
Shipbuilding will he represented by a
I fine collection 81 ship models. and the
railroad exhibits will bc equal in quality
IL not in quantity. to those - American
railways. Owing In the almost absence
| ~ British electricians. there will be but
poor show in the electricity building
and American and German electrician,
will probably carry of the honors. !,
similar condition u things will prevail
| in regard to mining and metallurgy. II
| is fortunate that the contributions oI
Great Britain will he strongly supple
mcnted 10y the exhibits from British
colonies
Wv IrStapO SHtAItsm.
From New Zealand comes news tha
tho people - that colony are rapid,
| drifting toward socialism. The legisla
lures % New Zealand are all the tim.
experimenting. and their experiment,
are all in the direction - state social
ism. The eight hopr movement ha'
hcen carried through to = succe=sfn
issue. and tho weekly half holiday fo
shop assistants has been legally On
T joined.
labor bureau to find employmen
for reopl. out ~ work has teen IN CT
isteuce for nearly wear and NAM
hills altering factory lcgisla'ion an
/ affecting various trades have heer
brought forward tha, the conservative.
4 povtion - the community is heginnins
I 20 rcsist the encruschments on ,ndivid
nal freedom At present. however tn
lator socialists element - in the as
cendsnt. and there is no telling vher,