Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1893-04-22
DISORDER IN BELGIUM.

Tho Demand for Universal Suffrage
Threatens to Result In war-Strllting
Wortingmen Engage In Riots = The
Throne in Danger.
LONDON, April 1.-THE demand for
universal suffrage in Belgium has cre-
ated a crisis which cannot much longer
be kept from decisive issue. There will
be civil war or yielding on the part of
the bourgeoise or governing class with
in a week. The first guns of what
threatens to be revolution have al
ready been fired.
The dispatches become hourly more
alarming and there is some reason for
fearing that it is already too late to
check the rising rebellion by conces
sions to the popular demand for the
ballot. A general strike ordered by the
labor organizations for to-day has been
anticipated by more than 100, 900 men
who have left work. The situation to-
day in the smaller cities is even worse
than in Brussels.
The ordering of universal strike is
equivalent to call to arms and it
means nothing less that an uprising
throughout the kingdom. The author
tiles do not seem to realize this, and no
adequate preparations have been made
to suppress the rebellion. 1t is doubt
full if the civic guards, who number
some 100000 men, can be re-
lied on to shoot down their fellow cit
izens, who are likely to number ma
jority of the population as soon as the
last chance disappears of securing the
right of suffrage by peaceful means.
The rapidity with which the mob build
barricades in some of the streets sur
| prises many of those who refuse to
yield to the popular demands.
| 1t would not be surprising if strong
diplomatic influences should be brought
to bear to induce the king to deal with
the situation by measures SO drastic
as to amount to coup d'etat.
His majesty may find it neces-
sary to save his throne by some
such measure as the proclamation of
new constitution and the calling of
the general election of a new parlia-
ment by univeral suffrage. 1t is re-
ported that the Belgian authorities
have information showing that a con-
spiracy exists for the overthrow of the
monarchy and the establishment of a
republic, and that the conspirators
count upon French sympathy, if not
upon French support.
| BRUSSELS, April 17.-There is every
indication that the coming week will
witness scenes of violence worse than
those that have passed. Preparations
are being made for a monster demon
stration Tuesday. At Trazednies, near
Charleroi, Saturday night severe con-
flict took place. The soldiers charged
upon the mob, killing one workingman
and wounding a woman. The rioters
then scattered and resistance ceased.
Sunday evening turbulent crowds
fought the police in several districts OF
the city. In the Rue de la Bavier river,
near the Maison du Peuple, the mob be.
came SO threatening that mounted po.
lice charged them with drawn swords.
The rioters threw jars of Greek fire and
sent repeated volleys of stones among
the police. Many of the mob were cut
or trampled upon. Twelve were ar
rested. Several policemen We're burned
and bruised.
The city is as if in a state of siege.
All places of amusement are deserted
The police and the rioters have the
streets to themselves. A dispatch from
Mons says the rioters had possession OF
many streets all Sunday afternoon. Re
Inducements of soldiers have been sent
from this city.