The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-07-02
TRUCE NOW IN BRUSSELS.
THE KING IS FOR COMPROMISE on
THE ELECTORAL BILL.

Provisions of the Measure which Caused
tho RiotinE- Socialists Say 1t would
Assure Permanent Supremacy of tho
'lericals - belgium Elections Unjust.
Speeai Cable Ds,patche, 10 Tur sus
LONDON. July The small extent to which
the English press seems to have recognized
the indubitabe fact that Belgium this week
has been passing through very serious polit-
ical crisis is surprising. especially when one
remembers the occurrences during the aRta-
ton for revision Of the Constitution In 1893.
The English people are apt TO think OF Belgium
a. quiet little nation. but there 10 scarcely q
country in Europe whore the political parties
are so widely divided or in which there are
many opportunities for n serious social up
heaNaL The presenttovernment's intimation
that IL is ready to find n basis for an under
standing has tidrd over the present danger
and II seems likely that compromise will be
arranged But to-day's Spectator. without APP
parent grounds for the statement. says there
will be Il revolution in Belgium before there is
one in Russia"
In order to fully understand the position Of
| affairs which makes 1t ALWAYS possible for
serious trouble to arise in Belgium at any mo-
mcnt knowledge of few facts only is neces-
sary. As regards the parties. the dividing line
is that bitter one OF religion. The onscrva-
tiveS are unbending Clercals and thu Liberals
are aggressive Secularists. The workmgmen.
and notably numerous miners. are nearly all
rcvolutionists regards representation The
sSU,OOO Clerical voters send ll2 deputies to
the Chamber. while the aND.OOO opposition
votes send only 40. Tho lack OF q combination
between the Liberals and Socialists partly
counts for this. Brussels in the last election.
polled 10000 Clerical. 10000 Socialist and
10000 Liberal votes. yet IL Catholics I'LL Brus-
sels's ~ seats.
Three months ago the Liberals and Social
lists made peace in order to rertify this condi-
ton at the next election. TO defeat this coali-
ton the Government introduced an electoral
bill. which caused the present uphcaval. The
bill ostensiby provides for a proportional rep
resentation. but actually provides for repre-
sentation Of minorites in the few cities
returning six more deputies. namely
Brussels. Antwerp Client Liege. and Char
leroi. leaving tho others unaffected. As
the minorItes in the towns mentioned
are CIericals. the opposition protests that
they arc worse or than ever. "a 10y their
new combination they could have carried
| the elections. The bill also provides for the
! abolition of second ballots. thus further weak
| ening the opposition. us the moderate Liberals
| ProRressists and Socialists are not likely to
| support each others candidates until the first
ballot has proved that they are unable TO elect
| their own. The other provisions Of the bill are
| such that The opposition asserted that il
| passed it would assure the permanen. suprem-
| acy Of the Clcrcals.
| Though the King has signed the present bin.
| as all Government bills must receive the royal
| assent before tabing. there is no doubt that he
| was greatly struck by the injustice in the last
elections results. and when he hurried to Brus-
sells from Ostend he distinctly charged the
Ministers to find some basis OF compromise.
/ Therefore it may be hoped that the Cabinet
| will act on Tuesday when the Chamber meets
| in such a manner as to avert more serious
| trouble than has already occurred. Though the
present truce has restored quiet, the trouble
| can easily be revived The Belgian rioter is
| difficult and san culinary character Already
| the streets have been barricaded and paving
| stones torn up. Attempts to fire tho public
| buildings have been made and last evening
more than 5000 persons paraded in Brussels
| singing the "Marseillaise." crying Long live
the republic" and Down with Leopold"
| significantly showing the trend Of thoughts OF
| many All this and worse may easily be re-
| peated unless as now seems probable the
| Government handles the situation with wise
discretion.
ANTWERP. July IA despatch from Brussels
| says the King to-day received the Burgomas-
tiers OF Brussels. Antwerp. Client aud I.ieGe.
| The Socialists are quiet. but further trouble is
| expected on Tuesday unless there is an absO-
| Lutte withdrawal Of tn" Governments electoral
| project. Artillery reinforccmcnts have been
| ordered to Brussels.
Last evening there was great parade Of
! 2O.O 600 men. Ono battalion Of the Civic Guard
| cheered the parading Socialists and sang the
| "Marseillaise The battalion was immcd-
| ately dismissed. Regular troops attend the
| Socialist meetings at Client and liege. where
| the Socialists harangue violently against the
| Government
| Early this morning the house OF the Prime
| Minister in Brussels was dauhed with animals
| blood signifyng the Premiers respons blIi'y
| for eventual revolution.
| A general referendum has been proposed
| The Government has not yet settled upon any
| plan for Tuesday.
Minister Van der Peereboom said to-day:
| 1.-THE Government will agree to uni-nomi-
! nal electoral system" Tho Minister was
| coseted with the King this evening. The
| country is in an extremely rcstles, state de-
| spite the armistice,
| The Burgomast-rs at their audience with
| the King, informed his Majesty that they
would not be responsible tor public order if
the Electoral bill was not withdrawn. The
King will dissolv" Parliament and appeal to
the country unless an agreement IL concluded
on Tuesday or II there is any further roting.