The Outbreak in Belgium.

Manawatu Herald, 19 April 1902, Page 2

The Outbreak in Belgium.

The Liberals and Socialists of Belgium complain that the proportional representation conceded at the last elections conferred upon the clericals a disproportionate number of seats. Farther rioting has occurred at Namur, in which the police were severely mauled. The police and gendarmes used their swords and bayonets. Many arrests were made. The police at Brussels in the recent outbreaks fired a thousand cartridges.

Schools are being utilised as barracks. The strike is very general. International agents are urging the French miners to strike in sympathy. The Swedish Socialists have decided to favour a general strike in support of universal suffrage. Two hundred thousand men have struck in Belgium. The strike is still spreading, and is causing enormous losses. The Chamber of Deputies is discussing the question of constitutional revision. The discussion is marked by violent recriminations. The losses at Belgium resulting over the strike amount to J 84,000,000. The troops stopped six thousand strikers at Charleroi marching to Brussels. Many telegraph wires were cut. The gunsmiths at Brussels and in other cities sold their entire stocks of weapons and ammunition. A quarter of a million of workers have struck. Quietness is due to the activity of the troops.