The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-04-10
STRIKE TO ENFORCE
MANHOOD SUFFRAGE
PLANNED IN BELGIUM
Continued from page one)


and Germany so as to ensure a constant
supply of fuel for the state railroads.
The primary cause of the movement
was the defeat of the liberal and social
st coalition in the parliamentary cleo
tions of 1912. The socialist congress,
specially summoned June 80 of that
year, decided to make use of a general
strike if all other means of obtaining
manhood suffrage failed. Before re-
sorting to that measure. a general
suffrage bill was introduced into par
lament by the socialists and supported
by the liberals. This was refused all
consideration by the clerical majority
and a general strike was voted for
April IA
Try to Settle Matters
Steps were taken on all sides to try
and settle matters. The urgomasters
of the nine principal cities were re-
ceived by the premier, who while de-
claring that no government worthy of
the name would allow itself to be in
timdated by the threats of the mob,
said that IL the menace of a general
strike were removed he would be dis
posed to talk.
The socialist national committee
thereupon cancelled its previous de-
oision and Belgium breathed anew
The government, however, made no
move at all and the socialist congress
at Easter again voted the general
strike, and on Monday coal mines will
| be deserted, furnaces shut down and
! factories and workshops abandoned;
| big cities will be without light or
street cars and the port of Antwerp
| without dock laborers.
The country is in complete gloom
and 1t is felt that every person is like
| ly to suffer in some way whatever po-
sition he or she may occupy
The socialists themselves are some
| what divided and the voting on the
strike in the lodges throughout Bel
GUM indicates that from quarter to
a third OF their number is opposed to the
movement.
| A good many Influential persons hope
that as the hour approaches COM
promise win be arranged
Last Hope Disappears
! The last hope of the socialists of
| intervention by the King to prevent
| the great general strike called to en-
force the granting by the government
of manhood suffrage, now appears to
have disappeared. IT is pointed out
| that such action in the existing cir
cumstances would be unconstitutional
and would be regarded by the cler-
| icals as coup detat
That the government now will ac-
|
probable judging from the active mil
itary preparations which are going on.
| orders for the departure of a large
body OF troops for camp have been
| countermanded and the troops will be
| distributed among the various indus
trial eenters to safeguard the gas and
electric plants, the railroads, tunnels
and bridges. Large forces of gem
darmes also have been drafted and will
lie stationed in places reearded nv the
government as danger points.
The socialists are extremely opti-
| mistic regarding their position Thev
say that contributions 10 the strike
fund are pouring in from many out
side sources and they now estimate
that they can maintain the strike for
at least four weeks and perhaps six
Rumors of ministerial crisis and
plots against prominent clericals have
been in circulation but these rumors
are generally regarded as merely men
dacious.