Strikes in Belgium It is interesting to compare the course
of the strikes in France with their development in Belgium. M. Illum's Government did not conceal its sympathy with the strikers or interfere with their " stay-in " tactics ; and the policy of giving legislative effect to their demands appears, so far at least, to have been successfid. The Belgian strikers, HOW about 250,000 in number, have undoubtedly been encouraged by the French example ; they demand the 40-hour week, minimum wages, annual holidays, and a general increase of 10 per cent. in wages. M. Van Zeeland's new Government, although it has a considerable programme of social reform and is partly composed of Socialists, at first showed signs of resisting the strikers' demands, but an agreement tentatively reached on Wednesday conceded practically all that had been asked for, including the recognition of trade unions. There had before that been serious disorders among the miners at Liege, and M. Degrelle, the Rexist leader, did his best to stimulate the strikers and make things hot for the Government. The outlook is.now better. * * * *
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