The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-04-14
SATURDAY NIGHTS CLASH.
Police Used Strike Cartridges and
Killed and Wounded Rioters.

BRUSSELS. April 13.-The bloody repres-
sion OF the disorders of yesterday evening
has created a painful impression among
all classes here. although IL is appreciated
that the majority of the victims OF the
encounters do not belong TO the better class
of wOrkmen. Yesterday, for the first time
the police really fired their rifles loaded
with ball cartridges. Previous TO yesterday
they had used their swords and their re-
volvers. the latter being usually loaded
with blank cartridges. Saturdays rioters
were composed of the dregs of the popula-
tiOn, with a sprinklng of what is called
the young Socialist Guard composed of
mere boys. with little regard for the orders
OF NJ. Van der Velde, a member of the
Chamber OF Deputies and the leader of
the Socialist movement in Belgium and the
Socialist committee.
IL must be explained that the Maison
du Peuple is situated on the upper slope of
a hill, that the central boulevard and
most OF the business portion of the city
lies at the fot of this hill. while the royal
palace. the law courts the Chamber Of
Deputies and the ministries stand on the
ridge of the hill. The quarter around the
MaisOn du Peuple is the worst in the city
ii is a perfect rookery of low-class dwell
ings. intersected by steep and narrow
streets and malOdOrous alleys. In the vi
cinity OF the Maison there are some small
squares. in which the rioters gathered yes
terday evening until they were dispersed
and the squares occupied by detachments
OF the civic guard. The mob was mainly
composed of the rough population of the
quarter. who jeered and reviled the police
when they were forced along the streets by
the cordons of officers.
The serious troubles began when a num-
Der Of roughs from a safe distance fired
revolvers in the direction of the cordons.
The gendarmes then charged with drawn
swords. After firing at the crowd with re-
volvers loaded with blank cartridges they
were greeted with hail of missiles such as
stones. bottles and heavy iron rivets This
happened in several streets II was worse
in the Rue Hauete. where the occupants
OF the houses rained missiles on the heads
OF the gendarmes. An officer OF the gend-
armes then shouted TO the crowd to dis
perse. No notice was taken OF this order.
Then for the first time in many years the
gendarmes fired their Msuser carbines.
loaded with what are called strike cart
ridges" which contain ball but a minor
charge Of powder. The gendarmes fired only
one volley. but when the mob scattered sew
eral bodies were lying on the ground Two
were mortally wounded and died while be-
ing conveyed 10 the hospital
over twenty narrow streets and blind
alleys lead into the Rue Hauete. and when
the gendarmes charged after the mob
other rioters issued from these alleys and
fred revolvers at the backs OF the police
men until the latter were Obliged m Iaava
three OF their number at the mouth Of each
alley they passed. These guards stood with
their rifles pointed down the alleys ready
20 shoot. other gendarmes who were sta
toned every few PAGES covered the win
Sows in the Rue Hauete with their rifles.
10 is impossible 10 ascertain the exact
number of the victims OF yesterdays riots.
Many who were slightly injured had their
wounds dressed In pharmacies or went
home The director or the hospital OF ST.