The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-04-19
PREMATURE TO HOPE
FOR SETTLEMENT OF
THE BELGIUM STRIKE
Efforts to. Conciliate Those
Opposed to Manhood Suf-
frage Gain Headway.
Business ParalyZed

Brussels. April 1s.--while it is yet pre-
mature to hope for an early settlement
OF the great strike that is paralyzins the
economic life OF Belgium, efforts made
today by M Hyman. the liberal leader
in the chamber of deputies, to conciliate
those opposed to granting manhood SUI
frage to the workmen appear to have
been not altogether in vain. After con-
siderable discussion the chamber ad-
journed until next Tuesday on motion
of the premier.
During this interval the various parties
will carefully examine into the motion
of the liberal deputy M. Mason, which
embodes the elements of compromise.
After the chamber adjourned the socialist
members drew up a manifesto explaining
the situation. This document reads:
"Will it be war or will it be peace
We do not know, but the strike now pro
crossing was Indispensable to enforce a
hearing of our claims
Increase in Ranks
The impression produced by the
speech in the chamber by Herr Woeste,
the clerical leader who yesterday em-
pEatically opposed any concessions by
the majority, led to an increase in the
this increase apparently was offset by
resumption of work elsewhere The Of
ficial estimate places the number Of
men out at between 312,000 and $4,000
Events of the strike of 1893 are be-
ing repeated in all centers without the
slightest departure from the remark
able discipline then maintained. The
state railroad has been badly hit In
addition to losing 10000 workmen' s
weekly communication fares it has been
obliged to cancel 175 freight trains
running daily between the industrial
Centers and Antwerp. There also are
indications that the management of
the railroad is getting uneasy about the
employees and a second and stringent
general order was issued today pro-
hibiting them holding or attending
meetings.
Antwerp Suffers
Antwerp, April 1s.-Every day increases
the magnitude of the strike situation at
this port. Today there were "a fewer YES
sells in the i1arbor than on April Is last
year. In the northern basin alone there
were 200 empty berths.
Tho socialists here paraded today and
laid wreaths on the tombs of the strikers
killed in the suburb of Borgerhout in
1893
The candy makers struck today, and the
total number of workers now out is es-
tlmated at A,VU.
Mons, April 1S.-The debate in the
chamber of deputies yesterday has bad
effect in this district. Many meetings
were held today at which the speakers
exerted themselves to counteract the i'll
feeling aroused by the speeches of the
opposition members. They urged that
the strikers observe the greatest calm
ness.
Haine, Belgium, April 1S-The directors
of the big Niard metal works here today
began the feeding of 5000 children of their
employees
Charleroi, Belgium, April 1s.--The
quarry owners here today exploded all
the dynamite they had on hand. This
was done by order of the war DEPART
ment.
Corbeau. Belgium, April ia bomb was
exploded today in the cellar of the home
of workman who had refused to join
the strike 1t did no damage.
%Fallisolle, Belgium, April 1S.-A fall of
coal which blocked the shaft of the mine
occurred here today. Strike leaders sent
a large gang of men to shore up the
mine in order TO prevent further damage