The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1893-04-19
A DAY OF RIOT.
The Situation Before the Action of Parli-
ament Became Known.

The Situation Before the Action of Parli-
ament Became Known.
BRUSSELS, April 1S.-Last night passed
far more quietly than the authorities ex-
pected, but, nevertheless, the outlook is
still threatening, Dispatches from all
parts of the kingdom inhabited by the
working people bring disquieting news.
Disturbances occurred in several places
during the night, but there was no con-
ceted attempt to rebel against the King.
The movement is directed entirely against
the Chamber of Deputies and the Minis
ters who oppose the workmen's demands
for the right to vote when they reach
legal age, without any property qualifica-
ton. The King, it is known, is in favor
of a wide extension of the suffrage, and
the crowds of excited workingmen who
are now demanding what they believe to
be their right have nothing against him
personally.
Impartial observers of the situation
readily find sympathy with the strikers.
Belgium is, with the exception of Russia.
perhaps, the only country where there is
absolutely no law protecting the work
ingman from the rapacity and greed of
his employer The Belgian workingmen
have seen within the past ten years their
brethren in other countries placed under
the protection of special laws enacted for
their benefit, and have seen
employers held to a strict liability
when these laws were violated.
The Belgians have had nothing
and the Bourgeoise class, which rules
the country, evidently intend that they
shall have nothing if they can prevent.
Hence, in their desire to assert their
manhood and secure their rights the
spectacle presents itself of a gigantic
strike to obtain the right to elect repre-
sentatives among the law makers. Were
the strikers armed and disciplined there
is no question that the industrial revolu-
ton now shaking the country would
quickly become bloody contest. As it
is, the strikers have, in many instances,
routed the armed police, and have not
hesitated to attack the soldiery. The
peace effective of Belgium. officers and
men, is 4S,841, exclusive of the Civic
Guard, numbering 43,647 men, and it
will, therefore, be seen that the dsor-
ganized mobs of workingmen, only
few of whom possess weapons, have lit
tie chance of overthrowing the govern
ment by resorting to attacks upon the
troops.
In Antwerp today the outlook was
more threatening than it was yesterday.
and this despite the fact that extraor-
dinary military precautions have been
taken to preserve the peace. Among
the more prominent of the agitators in
Antwerp are a number of Anarchists. OF
these, two, Fabry and Welter, have made
themselves particularly obnoxious to the
police, and today they were placed un-
der arrest.
The striking dock laborers began their
disorderly demonstrations again this
morning. They took possession of the
docks and marched along the water
front, attacking the men who were at
work, compelling many of them to quit.
One captain of vessel from which the
men had been driven away protested to
the rioters, whereupon the mob prompt
ly stoned him and forced him to flee.
The police force were finally ordered
to dlsperse the rioters. A short conflict
ensled during which the police used
their swords and revolvers, and finally
the mob scattered.
The most serious disturbance that oc-
Cured today was reported from Bour-
gerhout, village short distance from
Antwerp. Many candle makers are en-
ployed in the village. The majority
joined the movement in favor of univer-
sal suffrage. Those who remained at
work were attacked by strikers today.
The troops were called upon to protect
the workers and restore order. The ap-
pearance of the soldiers, however. had
little or no effect in quelling the rioters,
An order to the rioters to disperse met
with no attention and the strikers con
tinued their attacks on the "black lsos ),
The officer in command of the soldiers
then ordered his men to fix bayonets and
followed this with an order to charge
On the full Erun, with leyelled bayonets.