Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-06-30
BR US ELS TERRIFIED
Despehte Street Fighting Between Mob and
Police.
The New Electoral Law Causes Re-
ntwed Outbreaks and May Lead
to Premicr's Resignation.

IN the chamber of deputies at Brussels
! cSierday the storm was renewed as a re-
| suLi of public opposition to the govern
maft's new electoral bill. The measure was
| pr secuted to the chamber last January. 1t
prsvides for material notifications in the
rssent system of plural voting. but these
notifications have caused great opposition,
particularly on the part of the socialists.
The bill, 1t is said, seeks TO perpetuate
the clerical domination of the country. 1t
provides among other things. for proper
tiDnal representation in districts electlng
more than three members of parliament.
The liberals and socialists say that its eff
feet would be to maintain clerical represen-
tation in the smaller constituencies and
practically to exclude the liberals and So
cialists from the larger ones.
Exciting Scenes.
The socialists hurled anathemas in the
chamber at Premier Van den Peereboom,
who tried to explain the action taken by
the police in the street fights Wednesday.
They persistently interrupted and insulted
the premier, reproaching him with being
responsible for the conflicts between the
people and the police.
bandit and minister of civil war by the
socialists who declared that they would ap-
peal to the king
A vote censuring the government was re-
jected by 81 to 81, but the tumult in the
chamber became so great that the president
suspended the sittings The socialists then
led a cheering crowd, shouting Fife Id
repubique," to the park. where conflict
with gendarmes occurred. Thence the mob
proceeded to the public square, the shops
closing as the rioters approached. A mass
meeting was held in the square.
The chamber reassembled at night, and
al %
riots which had occurred since the adjourn
ment. He said he had been struck by a
Ct ndarme's sword. and demanded the man $
punishment. The chamber soon returned
rounding Premier Van den Peereboom, with
clenched fists, denounced him. The tumult
increased. and the chamber had to be ad-
iourned
a shouting mob which later gathered in
front of the war ministry, where a Gordon
of police and gendarmes. with drawn
swords. attempted to dispense the rioters,
hut had little success.
Fought With Stones and swords.
great meeting was held at the town
hall in the evening. At it's conclusion
thousands attempted to cross the Grande
Place, in which the hall stands. Cen
darmes charged with drawn swords and
the crowd retaliated with stones.
Tram cars were OSeEtufHtu anu uSeu DIS
barricades. Street lamps were smashed.
The rioters pricked the horses of the gen
Garmes with needles. and many of the ami
mails fell with their riders.
Shots were fired on both sides. Three
persons were wounded and a policeman was
severely stabbed with a shoemaker's knife.
The rioters. on being dispersed. assem-
bed at other places. A large crowd gath
cred i'll the Rue Roya!e, tearing up the
paving stones and using these missiles.
Finally the civic guard was ordered out to
relieve the police.
Despite these attempts to suppress the
disturbances, riotiug continued to late
hour, many persons being injured. A fact
of note was the general tearing up of paw
ing stones to be hurled at the police and
guards
About thirty-five arrests were made.
Many of those who were taken into custody
had pistols.
The public prosecutor with his entire
staff. remains on constant duty at the Hotel
De Vile.
Nay Resign.
Late at night 1t was announced that
King Leopold had long conference with
Van den Peereboom. Bergerem and Beer
naert. members of the cabinet. 1t was re-
ported that Van den Peereboom will re-
sign.
The electoral proposals Of King Leopold
have already caused the downfall of one
cabinet. On January "a last a royal decree
was published accepting the resignation of
a cabinet headed by de Smet de Mayer,
who was opposed to the new plan. The
den Peereboom, was then formed