Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1893-04-20
ANARCHY THROES.
Belgium Verging on q Critical
Period of Its History.
RIOTS AND NCEyDIlRY SPEECHES.
The Mayor of brussels Brutaiiy Assaulted
Austria aud Germany May Possibly
Invade the Country to Re-
store order.

BRUSSELS, April 17.-Yesterday was
day Of extreme watchfulness and
anxiety on the part Of the authorities
throughout Belgium. Reports from all
points indicate that the strike is spread
ing steadily and that the temper Of the
strikers is growing worse. In this city
the morning passed without disturb
ance. Several suffrage meetings were
held, but they were orderly and the
speeches were not violent. In the after
noon, however, thousands Of working
men held a turbulent meeting on the
road to the race course outside the city
limits. The advertised object Of the
meeting was TO denounce the proclama-
ton Of Mayor Bulls prohibiting public
demonstrations in favor Of universal
suffrage.
Volders, the extreme socialist leader,
who was arrested and released on
April IS, made an incendiary speech, in
which he applied the most obnoxious
epithets 10 NJ. Bulls. The crowd be-
came uproarious, shouted for revenge
upon the mayor and encouraged Vol
ders to still more Incorporate language.
The police ordered the crowd 10 dis
perse. The workingmen answered
with jeers. The police drew their
swords and advanced toward the plat
form. Some Of the crowd fred revolv-
ers and few threw stones, but the
street was cleared without show of
Aght toward the city. Nobody was in
injured.
Mayor Bulls was walking home about
an hour later when some 200 socialists,
returning from the meeting, came down
the street. They hooted and jostled
him, but allowed him so pass. After
he had left the mob about fifty PAGES
behind him three men ran out and one
Of them struck him heavy blow with
stick on the head. As Bulls turned
he received another blow and was laid
unconscious 10 the pavement. A resi-
dent of the Avenue Louise who
had seen the first encounter and
had run for the police returned
with help just as the mayor was
struck down. The police charged
the socialists and after fight of ten
minutes dispersed them. Two of the
crowd were arrested, hut II has not
been ascertained whether or not they
witness OF the mobbing has informed
the police that just before their arrival
q workingman fired seven shots from a
revolver at the PROSTATE mayor. NJ.
Buls was still unconscious when taken
TO his home. He recovered conscious
ness toward evening and probably will
he able TO resume his official duties
within q few days. Meantime Alder
man Andre viii act as mayor. King
Leopold has twice inquired by special
courier after his health. II is reported
that Volders will be arrested for his
part in the meeting which preceded the
assault
Last evening turbulent crowds fought
the police In several districts of the
city. In the Rue de Ia Bavier, near
the Maison du Peuple, the mob became
so threatening that mounted police
charged them with drawn swords. The
rioters threw jars OF Greek fire and
stones among the police. Many Of the
mob were cut and trampled upon.
Twelve were arrested. Several police
men were burned and bruised. The
city Is as II in a state of siege. All
places Of amusement are deserted. The
police and the rioters have the streets
TO themselves dispatch from Mons
says that the strikers have had posses
sion of many streets there since early
in the afternoon. Reinforcements OF
soldiers have been sent from this city.
Despite the increasing riotousness OF
the people, King Leopold opened yes
terday before an immense crowd the
new park conservatories. The people
were perfectly orderly and received the
king enthusiastically, The respec,
shown by them was due not only to the
appreciation of his confidence in them
but also TO the knowledge that he favor
application of the suffrage.
FOREIGN INTERFERENCE.
PARIS, April I'm. Boure, French
ambassador TO Belgium, has returned
TO Paris In response TO n telephone
summons from the government who
wish to confer with him as 10 the revolt
Of the Belgian workingmen. The re
volt has become so threatening that II
is believed Germany and Austria viii
DO justified under the treaty of 1881 II
interfering to support the crown.
--=z=7=zz==E