Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-04-11
REVOLT IN BELGIUM
Strikers and Gendarmes Clash
Near Charleroi.
LATTER WERE BEATEN
MOB FINALLY DISPERSED BY
CAVALRY TROOP.
Order Partially Restored in Brussels,
but Fresh Outbreaks Are Ex-
pected Tuesday.

BRU SSELS. April 11.-Sharp fighting be-
tween strikers and gendarmes occurred this
morning at BraCquegnies near Charleroi
Several thousand strikers attacked and
stoned a body of gendarmes who retaliated
by firing their revOlvers. A sharp fusillade
followed. and the gendarmes were COM
PEELED to retreat. squadron of lancers
however, galloped up and dispersed the
mob.
Additional regiments of cavalry. infantry
and engineers arrived here this morning. A
battalion is held in readiness for action at
each of the barracks. All the troops are
supplied with two packets of ball cartridges
and two packets of so-called strike cart
ridges
Gendarmes and civic guards assem-
bling at their headquarters in large num-
bers and rigorods instructions have been
issued for the instant repression of out
breaks I'm their incipiency-
Four regiments of cavalry and infantry
arrived at Charleroi today. Infantry has
been sent to LOuvain and Vilvoorden, and
squadrons Of chasseurs have been dis
tribUted in the midlands.
Order Restored in Brussels.
A semblance of order was restored among
the rioters in the Rue Stevens early
this morning The police. who had borne
the brunt of the fighting, We're strongly
reinforced by gendarmes and civic guards
with loaded rifles. Orders were issued
to use all the force necessary to
drive the mob out of the Maison du
Peuple. Just the order was about to
b. executed the chiefs of the socialists Of
fered to evacuate the building quietly.
Estimates of the number wounded dur
ing the riots vary from forty TO one hun
and hidden by friends \ large number of
rioters were arrested and are still detained.
The burgomasters of Brussels and sub
urban municipalities have proclaimed that
meetings of more than ten persons are
prohibited. and that any one found carry
ing a revolver shall be liable to six months
Imprisonment.
Bayonets on All Sides.
All centers of agitation are bristling to-
day with bayonets. Squads of cavalry are
crntinually patrolling the streets and guard
ing the shops, which were threatened with
yiUndering by the rioters.
manifesto signed by the general cour,-
Gil IF the LABOR party, has been widely
posted 1t demands revision of the con-
sttution and universal suffrage
TeleSrams from the country districts in
dicate the widespread character of the
movement. which threatens to eliminate in
a grand coup next week during the reform
debate in parliament.
\ thousand demonstrators caused great
disturbances at St. Nicholas last night un-
til routed by repeated charges of the gen
darmeS.
At La Louviere 5000 men ceased work.
forcing the workers in the large industrial
establishments at La Croyere and Haine
St Pierre 10 join them. The strikers
threaten TO burn all factories where the
workers refuse to quit
Il.
patrolling the district. in order TO protect
the factories.
a telegram from Mons says work still
Continues in the BOrinage district. but
strike and disorders are threatening
Troops have been sent TO the district to
cope with possible riOting.
Violence of the Mob.
At a socialist meeting, held in front Of
thu Maison du Peuple. last evening. the
socialist deputies, Defnet and Delbastee.
advised the workmen present to be pre-
pared for a general strike next Tuesday.
After the meeting the socialists paraded
the streets OF the city. smashing the win
doWs of churches and cafes firing revoIv-
eTS and singing revolutionary songs There
were several collisions with the police and
the civic guards. who were forced 10 use
their bdyOnets and the butts of their rifles
ON the rioters. Several of the latter were
injured and others were arrested but on
u" whole the riots today were milder than
those of yesterday.
Every window In the residence of Senator
Count DemerOde has been smashed.
aoting has also occurred at Ghent and
Liege. where meetings in favor of a GEN
eraI strike have been held.
The first encounter took place in the Rue
des Minimes, where the mob pelted tn.
police with cobblestones. The police then
charged with fixed bayonets. and as a re-
suit three men were severely and several
slightly wounded