The Topeka state journal., 1899-07-03
King Of Belgium is Between
Two Fires.
His People Are Demanding Uni
versal Suffrage.
REVOLUTION CERTAIN
IF the Government Does Not
Grant It.
If It Does 1t Will Be Voted Out
of Existence.

New York, July "a dispatch to the
Herald from Brussels says;
The situation an Belgium is very
grave. Socialists and radicals ccmpos-
4ng the opposition now demand uni
versa1 suffrage. and will be satisfied
with nothing else All depends on what
the government will do on Tuesday II
they fail to bring in bill granting uni
versal suffrage, it is feared that there
will be a revolution with consequences
of a far reaching character.
The government is in difficult posi-
tion. By opposing the demand for uni
VersaI suffrage it may bring about a
revolution, which would sweep away
the monarchy. On the other hand. if it
gives in, the appeal for universal suf-
frage would apparently result in such a
large socialist republican majority IN
the legislative body that the monarchy
would be just as much in danger.
In addition to all this, workmen in the
pOpulOuS industrial towns in Belgium
have decided to go out on strike if their
demands are not yielded to on Tues
day.
The active members Of the revolu-
tlOnary party are collecting arms and
ammunition and are fully prepared to
support their claim by force.
There were no serious disturbances
in Brussels itself but serious events
occurred in several places in the pro-
vinces. Socialists assembled in great
numbers in the park, where a regimen
tai band was to play during the after
noon. The socialists gathered around
and sang the ''Marseillaise" with such
VigOr, that the music of the band could
not be heard.
The police tried to intervene, but had
to yield TO superior numbers and the
socialists carried the day.
Socialists to the number of 700 or 500
then formed a procession and marched
through the streets to the Maison de
Peuple singing the Marseillais as they
went At the maison de Peuple a
meeting was held at which resolutions
in favor of universal suffrage were
passed with great enthusiasm.
The most serious disorders were those
which took place at Alost. A meeting
was addressed there by Able Daens, a
Catholic socialist who, by reason of his
attitude in the present circumstances
has been repudiated by the Catholic
party
An attempt to break up the meeting
by the police was strenuOusly resisted.
The police charged the crowd with ex-
traOrdInary violence and many OF the
people were seriously injured.
Incidents of extreme gravity occurred
at Liege. A review of the civic guard
took place, and while it was in pro-
gress, procession composed of social
lists and radicals marched past troops
singing 'Marseillais" and "Carmegot. -
While the socialists were marching past.
afterward they marched in uniform
to the celebrated Maison de Peuple Of
Liege, thus demonstrating their entira
sympathy with the socialist party.
A monster meeting of miners was
held at Mons, at which a resolution in
favor of going out on strike in the
event of the government refusing to
give them satisfaction on the electorato
question on Tuesday was passed.
This means that from $4,000 to 80, 600
men are preparing TO go on strike.
Mass meetings were held in Verviers
by all the workmen's associations OF
that district and a general strike was
agreed on, should the government re-
fuse to give way.
Some 10000 radicals and socialists
held q demonstration in Antwerp last
evening.
The burgomasters of Brussels, An
twerp, Liege and Client have informed
the government that it will be impossi-
BILE for them to be responsible for the
of order unless the govern
ment yields to the demands Of the
masses
According to the Petit BIen here If 10
means Of reaching a satisfactory ar
rangement be brought forward by the
government on Tuesday the king IS
Of dissolving parliament and
consulting the country.