The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-07-28
Signs of Renewed Trouble in Belgium,

1t would not be surprising IL the close OF
tho Peace Conference at The Hs que were
to be followed at the neighboring capital,
Brussels by a popular uprising that may
lead to civil war. The brdre Beige, who is
popularity regarded in Paris as the embodt-
mcnt OF stolid good nature, is, in truth a
warm blooded fellow, perfectly willing to
fight for what he deems his rights. or his
propensity to take the law In his own hands
abundant proof Is furnished by the history
OF the last seventy years.
In 1880 Belgium was, with the exception
OF France, the only one among many
European countries that succeeded in effect
ing a change OF government. In 1s47 a
democratic revolutionary movement COM
PEELED a reduction of the property qualiflca-
ton for the franchise. In 1857 another
social upheaval forced the Ministers to
withdraw an obnoxious bill. The existing
electoral law was extorted by general
strike, accompanied by alarming exhibit
tions OF violence and now the apparent de-
termination Of the Clerical majority in the
Chamber Of Deputies SO to change the dis
tribution Of seats as to assure to them
selves q permanent tenure Of power has
provoked the anger Of their opponents.
Speaking at Antwerp the other day Senator
BARA did not hesitate to warn the Govern
ment that, il their plan should be carried
out. the most serious trouble might be
looked for
A few months ago Belgium was In
notably quiet and flourishing condition. 1t
might have been supposed that the Cleri-
calls would be content to let we'll enough
alone. The new electoral law had worked
greatly to their advantage. That law, it
will be remembered, while nominally es-
tabllshing manhood suffrage. gave an adj
ditional vote to a citizen possessing certain
educational qualifications or owning
specified amount Of property. Tho result
is that some Belgians have two votes, and
great many three votes. The outcome Of
the general election held under these condi-
tions was that. out Of the 1852 seats in tho
Chamber Of Deputies, the Clericals secured
112. Nevertheless, the Socialists, Radi-
Gals and Liberals, who constitute the Anti
Clerical opposition and who are numeri-
cally important In the order named, were
disposed to wait quietly until the next trial
at the ballot box, when, by combining their
votes, they might expect to carry Brussels,
Antwerp. Client, LiGEe and some other
large constituencies which would give
them considerable majority in the
Chamber of Deputies.
To avert the defeat foreshadowed by such
q coalition, NJ. VAN DEN PEEREBooM, the
Clerical Prime Minister, resolved to adapt
the electoral law still more thoroughly to
the interests OF his party. To that end he
introduced bill providing that, in all cleo
toral divisions returning six or more MEM
bers to the Chamber. provision should be
made for the representation OF minorities,
| but only in case a minority should throw
one-sixth Of all the votes cast.
The representation Of minorities was ad-
vocated by JOHN STUART MILL, and from
an abstract point Of view there Is q good
deal to be said for it. In Belgium, how
ever the practical operation Of the meas
ure devised would be decidedly unfair. The
returns Of the last election show that in
very few OF the rural districts, which are
strongholds Of the Clericals, did their oppo-
| nents manage to cast one-sixth OF the votes
recorded. On the other hand, In every one
Of the urban constituencies, the Clericals
constitute powerful minority. 1t follows
that minority representation under the
conditions proposed would be to the Anti
Clericals mockery. for it would gravely
weaken them In places where they are pre-
ponderant, while offering them no CORE
spending advantage in places where they
| were weak.
II any change Is to be made in tho pres
ent electoral law, the Antl-Cericals say
that plural suffrage should be abolished,
and that manhood suffrage pure and sim
pie should be substituted; they would also
like to see the actual method Of distribut-
ing seats replaced BY single-seat divisions
such as we have In the United States. They
are willing. however. e we have said. to