Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1902-04-18
THE CRISIS IN BELGIUM
Debate on Revision of the COnst;tu.
ton Has Opened.
MANY THOUSANDS ON STRIKE
Troops and Rioters Battle In VIII
laEe Not Far From LieEe-Signs
of Dissatisfaction In'the
Civic Guards.
ANY THOUSANDS ON STRIKE

Brussels, April 1.-THE diplomatic,
private and public galleries of the
chamber of representatives were filled
to their capacity when the debate on
the proposed revision of the constitu-
ton began. NJ. Beernaert. the former
president of the chamber secretary of
state and president of the international
maritime conference held in London in
1899, opened the discussion.
He was frequently interrupted by NJ.
Van der Velde, the socialist leader and
former president Of the international
socialist congress, with periodical
shouts of "Universal suffrage is su-
preme" M. Beernaert expressed the
belief that the present Belgian electo-
raj system was satisfactory.
The cabinet ministers at meeting
held here at noon discussed the situa-
ton growing out of the popular de-
mand fer revision of the constitu-
ton, and measures Of increased strin-
Qency in both the city and suburbs
were taken in anticipation of the de-
bate on the proposals looking to a revi-
sion of the constitution.
Strikers Number Thousands.
The numbers of strikers in the chief
industrial centers are estimated as fol
lows: At Charleroi, 100000; in the cen
trail district, $1,000; at Borinage, 25,-
600; at Liege, 10000; at Verviers, 5000
Dispatches from Liege announce that
1000 striking miners and steel work
ers at Seraing, village five miles
southwest of Liege, had a conflict with
the troops there. The soldiers charged,
and the strikers retaliated with fu
sillade of stones Some Of the rioters
finally sought refuge in three taverns,
which were wrecked. ~-+,.
Unimportant outf1ges were reported
from various parts Of the country dur
ing the day. Small bombs were ex
ploded at Liege and elsewhere. A bot
tie filled with gunpowder was explod
ed at the door of residence and at
the glass works at Mariemont, near
La Louviere. Only trifling damage
was done by the explosion of the
bombs.
At Renaix, a town twenty-one miles
south-southwest Of Client, an earthen-
ware jar, with fuse attached to it,
was discovered on the threshold Of the
Catholic club. The fuse was extin-
guished by a passerby. The contents
Of the jar have not yet been examined.
Civic Guards Turn Mutinous.
A detachment of civic guards on
duty in the suburb of Etterbeek, two
miles east-southeast Of Brussels, be-
came disgruntled on account of being
kept on duty in the heavy rain and
arms any longer. Several Of the guards
threw their cartridges into the gutter
and shook their fists in the officers
faces. This. however, was an isolated
incident. The civic guards generally
are thoroughly reliable. On their be
havior depends the tranquility Of this
city.
Prince Albert, son of the Count of
Flanders and heir presumptive to the
throne Of Belgium, is major in the
Grenadier guards, at present held in
readiness for emergencies. The prince
declined a proposition to be replaced
temporarily as major Of the Grena-
diers. He said:
If my men are called to a post OF
danger, it will be my duty to lead
them"