The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-04-14
More Than 100000 Men Cease
Work i'm Belgium.
Greatest WaIkOut World Has
Ever Known.
ALL PROPERTY IS PROTECTED
Enough WOrkmen Left to
Handle Machinery.
Many Flock to France for
Temporary Occupation.

Brussels, Belgium, April 1.-THE
vast political strike, planned by the
Belgian socialist trade unions, began at
dawn today, the first workmen to take
part in the movement were the night
shifts of the mines and mills through
out the country. They left the vari-
Gus plants in charge of a few care
takers, told off by the socialist lead
ers to keep the property from deterior-
ating.
At least 100000 men laid down their
tools during the morning. There were
numerous exceptions to the general
walkout in many districts, however.
The strike is complete in such places
as the mining districts, but is scarcely
discernible in some localities.
In Brussels itself the strike must
be looked for in order to be found.
Probably one-fourth of the workmen
engaged in the suburban factories did
not report for work today. The So
cialist committee here estimated at IL
o'clock that 10000 men had struck in
the capital.
Reports from the provinces tell of
complete or nearly complete stoppage
of work at Liege, CharlerOi, Mons, La
Louviere and smaller cities. At Mons
there are 10000 and at La Louviere &c.
o0O most of them belonging to the
trades. At the great seaport OF
Antwerp the strike did not appear un-
til late in the day and then only az
fected a part of the dock laborers.
If the commands of the organizers of
the agitation are needed, the men will
refrain from acts of violence. Indeed,
the workers have promised that men
will be furnished to pump the mines,
keep the blast furnaces going and 9TH
err Use protect property so that when
lsr,AA
sumption of work can be begun. The
government however, is taking no
chances, and as a precautiOn against
possible disorders, has stationed troops
at strategic points in case of need
Thousands of women and children
have been sent out of the country by
the workmen so they may not suffer.
The strike leaders say they have 3d.
600, 900 with which to carry on the
movement.
The respective forces have prepar- |
ed for the strike. The government has
n.assed soldiers at all strategic points |
in the kingdom, but is keeping them
out of sight as much as possible and
altogether is displaying a desire to
avoid anything that could be regard |
ed as provocative.
Food and Entertainment for Strikers.
Socialist leaders have arranged to
entertain the strikers and assist them |
with food. Client already has been
divided into four districts, in each or
which soup and bread will be diStr1b-
uted Among other Socialist devices
to raise funds for the strikers is to be
a sale of books of prose and poetry
to which contributions already have
been made by distinguished authors,
Annatole France, Maeter-
linck and others.
Charleroi, Belgium, April 1.-the
suspension of work at the coal mines
in this district was complete this |
Sniff raYnainad at |
their posts to keep the machinery in |
good order and the pumps working. |
The metal workers of the vicinity |
have only partially quit their employ
ment but it is understood tomorrow |
the remainder of the men in this trade |
will lay down their tools.
Attempts to Cut Telegraph Wires.
La Louviere Belgium, April 14.-The
miners strike here was general this
All the factories closed their
doors except a pottery which was run
ming full force The street cars were
operated as usual during the morning
as the strike of the motormen and con-
ductors were timed to begin at o'clock
this evening. Some attempts were
made early today to cut telegraph wires
in the vicinity.
Antwerp. April 14.-The strike has
not affected this port in any way.
Work on the docks and everywhere
else in the city continued as usual this
morning.
Client, April 14-The potteries in
this neighborhood are all silent today,
but in the linen and cotton mills more
than half the hands remained at work.
The metal workers all went out but
a few cement mixers still are at work.
Iege, April 14.-Work ceased this
in the greater number of the
Industrial concerns here and in the
suburbs.
1t is estimated that only 1,400 work
men remained at their machines. In
the National Arms factory at Herstal
the strike was complete. All the coal
miners in this district have stopped
work
Mons, Belgium, April 14.-Of the $1,000
coal miners in this district all have
keeping the machinery running. All
the machine shops potteries and other
factories are idle.
Queiverain, Belgium, April IA
is closed here. Half the
workmen have gone over the frontier
into France to find temporary occupa-
ton.
Journal, Belgium, April 14.-The
stoppage of work here today was only
partial in the quarries and coal mines.
plement of workers went into the
shops.
Antwerp, April 14.-Although the
strike did not appear to affect this
port in any way this morning there
was a partial suspension of work by
the dock laborers later in the day. ,
The movement also extended to other
branches. Everything is quiet.
Charleroi April 14.-Twenty strikers
were arrested here today for intsrfer-
ing with workers. The total number ,
on strike in this city is 10000 out of
49, 600 employed in the various trades.
CAMPBELL WON DEBATE.