The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1893-04-19
STILL THREATENING.
Situation I'm Belgium Does Not I'm
prove.

SITUATION IN Belgium docs NOT EUns
prove.
BRUssELs, April 19.-The night
passed far more quietly than the
authorities expected, but, nevertheless,
the outlook Is still threatening. Dis
patches from all parts of the kingdom
inhabited by the working people bring
disquietinR news. Disturbances oc-
CURED in several places during the
night, but there was no concerted at
tempt to rebel against the king. The
movement is directed entirely against
the chamber of deputies and the minis
tiers who oppose the workingmen's de-
mand for the right to vote when they
reach legal age without any property
qualification whatsoever. The king, it
is known, is in favor Of wide extern
sion OF the suffrage. and the crowds OF
excited workingmen who are now de-
manding what they believe to be their
right, have nothing against him person
ally. Impartial observers of the situa-
tion readily find
Sympathy with the strikers.
Belgium Ia, with the exception of Rus.
sia, perhaps the only country where
there is absolutely no law protecting
the workingman from the rapacity and
greed of his employer. The Belgian
workingmen have seen within the past
few years their brethren in other coun.
tries placed under the protection OF
special laws enacted for their benefit,
and have seen employers held to strict
liability when these laws were violated.
The Belgians have had nothing, and the
Bourgeoise class, which rules the coun-
try, evidently intend that they shall
have nothing if they can prevent it.
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 lawmakers.
Were the strikers armed and
disciplined there is no ques-
tion that the industrial revolution
now shaking the country would quickly
become a bloody contest. AS it is, the
strikers have in many instances, routed
the armed police, and have not hesi-
tated to attack the soldiers.
Threatening Mt Antwerp.
In Antwerp the outlook is more
threatening. and this, despite the fact
that extraordinary military precautions
have been taken to preserve the peace.
Among the more prominent Of the agi.
tators in Antwerp are number OF
anarchists. OF these, two, Fabrey and
Welters, have made themrelves particu.
larly obnoxions TO the police, and have
been placed under arrest. The striking
dock laborers took possession of the
docks and marched along the water
front, attacking men who were at work,
compelling many of them to quit. The
police in force were finally ordered to
disperse the rioters. A short conflict
ensued, during which the police used
their swords and reviewers, and finally
the mob scattered. In Brussels the fer
ment continues with no sign of abate.
ment. The streets are filled with crowds
of excited workingmen, and q
general feeling of uneasiness pre-.
walls. 1t was the intention oil
the strikers to hold a grand demon.
stration in the park at st. GILES, two
miles south of Brussels, but the in.
structions sent out by the governor O!
the province of Bracranth have put d
check upon the proposed meeting. A
strong force of troops is in possession
of the park and the demonstration will
not be allowed.