The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-04-16
Belgian Government Now Ad-
mits Danger of Big Strike.
More Than a Quarter Million
Have Quit Work.
MAY INJURE NATIONAL FAIR
Exhibitors From Many Nations
Withdraw Exhibits.
Coal Supply for Rail Lines
Soon to Be Exhausted.

Brussels, April ia statement is
sued by the ministry of the interior
this NJ orning admits that 257,000 mer
have Joined the national political
strike of the Belgian workers who
have chosen this means of forcing the
grant of manhood suffrage and the
abolition of the system by which
wealthy citizens are given plural vot-
ing power.
The Socialist leaders today claimed
that the total number of strikers is
over 100000.
1t is stated that the Belgian govern
ment finds itself with q very small
supply of coal to run the state rail-
roads. This supply is likely to be ex-
hausted by the end of the week -hus
Gripping the transporta ton facilities.
Lack of fuel will also cause the stop
page of many electric and gas plants
and prevent many thousand non-strik-
erS from working.
Emile vandervelde and Socialist
leaders today completed a tour of the
provinces of Hainaut and Namur. He
summed up his observations as fol-
lows: "All business is stagnated
throughout the industrial district OF
the 20S,000 workmen in the two prov
inceS, 10000 are striking.
From various parts of the country
reports show that in some places the
movement has been very successful,
while in others, more especially dis
tricts under the control of the Catholic
unions, the men are lukewarm.
Violence has been exceptional since
the order to quit work was given on
Monday, only a few cases of destruc-
ton of property or interference with
having occurred
Affect International Exhibition.
One OF the most serious re-
suits of the Socialist strike through
put Belgium will be the effect on
he International exhibition which
he king is to open here next week.
The mayor of Client said today:
81 have grave fears that the strike
will seriously injure the exhibition
sixty per cent of the British exhibitors
ion and 80 per cent of the French ex-
libftorss have followed the example. l
lear also that the American exhibitors
re heSitating.''
The exposition buildings and
will be ready for the opening
500 workmen employed there have
truck
The civil guards today dispersed
90 strikers who were threatening an
ttack on a wire factory here
La Louviere, Belgium, April 10
rhe troops of this city were busy this
morning tearing down anti-military
posters which had been pasted up dur
ng the night. Each squad of soldiers
vas surrounded by a group of strikers
Who Knocked them.
The municipal street cleaners today
oined the strike, which is nearly COM |
,lete in this district.
Catholics Refuse to Strike.
Verviers, Belgium, April 16.-The
Inference of opinion between the |
Torkmen here as to whether they shall
DIN the strike or not is on sharply |
eligious grounds. The Catholic unions
emain steadfast in declining to go |
arian workmen place the political is |
ue above the religious one.
Huy Belgium, April 16.-The strike
spreading among the paper makers
nd tin plate workers of this district.
fany laid down their tools today
Namur Belgium. April 16.-Strikers
oday blocked up 16 shafts of the pot
sh mine near here by pushing in the
oisting cranes and all the outside
Liege, Belgium, April 16-The strike
spreading here. The socialist policy
now appears was not to show the
Ill strength of the movement during
lie first few days, but to let the stop
age of industry be progressive. Sew
al hundred more machinists employed
the National arms factory came out
,day.
EXclIeIleHL IS DeSlIlIllLS TO make u
If evident. A number of persons were
rested today accused of interfering
it'll those willing to work
Mons, Belgium, April 16.-There was
slight increase in the lumber of men
orking in the factories here today but
e mines are at a standstill.
Antwerp, April 16-The number of
rikers at this seaport reached 1900 (
day. There seems to be no inclina-
On on the part of other workmen to
in the movement