One hundred years ago
THE BELGIAN Chamber on Tuesday rejected universal suffrage by a vote of 115 to 26. The workmen are exceedingly irritated, and have decreed, through their leaders, a universal suspension of labour. It is found, as usual, impossible to carry this out; but part of the miners are out, the factory-hands in the district of Charleroi, and part of the working inhabitants of Brussels. The latter have come into riotous collision with the police, but, up to Friday noon, there was no serious danger of a defiance of authority. The temper of the people is, however, gloomy, the masses asking why they should be considered less worthy of power than the French millions; and there is obviously some anxiety at head- quarters. It is probable that Parliament will prevail; but it is necessary to point out that a revolution in Belgium would be a most serious affair, as the Powers would certainly come into collision about the future settlement.
The Spectator 15 April 1893
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