Belgium is again the scene of formidable strikes. The Par-
liamentary Commission of Inquiry which reported on the strikes of last year has removed no grievances, and consequently the coal-miners, ironworkers, quarrymen, and glass-founders are again "out," making riots and fighting savagely with the gendarmerie. The centre of the disturbances is, as before, Charleroi. The men threaten their employers and foremen, and dynamite has already been employed ; but the district has been flooded with troops, and it is hoped that serious collisions may be prevented. The case is a very hopeless one, for the men cannot live in civilised decency on their wages, which the employers, again, in consequence of the universal low prices, are unable to raise. It will hardly be believed that the clerical Ministry-, which depends upon peasant votes, is discussing, in the face of the social crisis, a Bill for increasing the duties upon the import of meat. They might as well place a direct tax upon the wretched miners' already insufficient wages ; but the Ministers declare that the strikes are a reason for persevering. They "must not be seen to recede before the threats of anarchists."
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