Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1913-04-10
BETWEEN sooooo AND 4oaeeo oocis
ALlsr WORKERS IN sELolvn /.
TO sE IDLE
SOLDIERS SENT TO OCCUPY
ALL INDUSTRIAL cEMT1Ao
Strike Ordered % . Protest Asatmol
Plural vstlns System outesms -
Be Awaited - Demonstrated %
Effectiveness Of Strike In Psiitisal
Controversies.

Brussels. Belgium. April io.-Troopa
today occupied most OF the great tnS
dustrial centers Of Belgium in prcpara>
ton for the general strike ordered for
Monday. when 100000 or 100000 will
quit work.
In most Of the cities large crowd0
gathered to watch tho arrival OF the
troops and cheered tho soldiers al they
marched.
The socialist strike leaders have of-
fered to the authorities the scrvicss %
special constables drawn from their
own ranks to aid in preserving order.
They affirm that any outbreak of vio-
lence will delay their cause for half =
generation.
Protsst Against Plural vets.
The strike Is an attack on the pres-
ent system OF plural voting In Belgium
whereby citizens have one. two OF
three votes, according to their station
in life. The strikers demand that all
male citizens shall have one and only
one-vote.
Under this system every citizen over
citizen over 35 years OF age with one
or more children and paying 81 or
more In house tax has a supplementary
vote. as also does citizen over 2S
years old who owns $400 worth OF real
given to graduates OF universities or
men who hold office or are ex-offico
estate. Two supplementary votes are
holders. No person has more than
three votes and failure to vote 70
misdemeanor.
In 1911 the number Of voters waa
1,7o0. .000 of which $4,000 had ona
vote. $4,000 two votes. and $4,000
three votes.
Supported By lsbsrais.
The strike has been decided On By
the Belgian socialist party 90 the last
desperate measure to make the gover-
ment give Belgium system OF mAns
hood suffrage instead OF the system OF
plural voting now in practice.
It's success or non success will be Of
consequence to the world at large for
If 1t succeeds 1t will demonstrate tho
practicability Of the strike as n polir
tical weapon. Previous attempts ~
political as distinguished from econ
omic strikes have invariably ended in
failure, notably in Spain and France
and the opinion has been generally
held that the political strike Is impos-
sible
The Belgian movement appears to
have been planned with extraordinary
skill and care: the workers are de-
! termined and full OF faith In the JUS
tice of their cause, the resources at
their disposal are considerable, both IN
money and kind: and they have the
| (oI ~ 1pA
| liberals mono the less vigorous from
being indirect.
The proprietor OF the liberal news-
paper. the Petit Bleu. has promised
| formally to pay $4,000 per week into
the strike fund as long as the move
ment lasts. and the strikers assert that
they can hold out for six weeks.
! Many Belgians believe this strike
viii prove turning point in the his-
| tory of Belgium: that 1t will result in
| nolitical changes of incalculable Inn
portance. and some even predict rev.
| olution the separation Of the Wal1oon
| and Flemish provinces or a dynastic
crisis.
The government faced with this
| serious problem, meaning economic
catastrophe for an Industrial country
like Belgium. has occupied itself chief
| ly in making arrangements to repress
disorder. which the socialists deride.
as they are determined that the strike
shall be peaceful.
King Will Not Intervene.
| The last hope of the socialists OF In.
tervention by the king to prevent the
great general strike called TO enforce
| the granting by the government OF
manhood suffrage. now appears to
have disappeared. 1t is pointed out
tha. snch action in the existing cir
c,,mstances would be unconstitutional
and would be regarded by the clericais
as a coup d'etat.
That the government will now ac-
cent a compromise is also highly Inn.
probable, Judging from the active mill
tary preparations which are going on.
The orders for the departure OF
large body OF troops for camp have
been countermanded and the troops
will be distributed among the various
Industrial centers to safeguard the gas
and electric plants. the railroads. tun-
| hrtI